The Hard-Ons - MostPeople Are A Waste ofTime

Fri 5th May, 2006 in Music Reviews

The Hard-Ons have really nailed it this time; most people are indeed a waste of time, but the Hard-Ons are most definitely not. Recorded and mixed by Jonboyrock in October of 2005, it has finally made its way into our unworthy hands a good six of seven months later. Most People Are A Waste of Time marks 21 glorious years of rocking out for the lads, and is significant in the fact of being their tenth studio album!

This is just the second time guitarist Blackie has stepped up for vocal duties, with Pete Kostic on drums. The first time around came in the form of 2003’s Very Exciting, and this time they decided to make a pop record. Yep, that’s right, a pop record, but we really don’t need to tell you that doesn’t mean they’re the second coming of Taxiride.

One thing evident is the improvement Blackie as a vocalist. He’s not going to be asked to be the next guest on a Beyoncé track, but he’s starting to get a grip on harmonies and developing his vocal techniques. The guys still aren’t keen on letting go of former vocalist Keish, making lead vocal (!) appearances on three tracks, There Goes One of the Creeps That Hassled My Girlfriend, Stop Crying and Her Smile is a Wish I Can’t Obtain, and backups on  several others. His delicate, soothing vocals are a welcome break from that of Blackie, whilst with his improved vocals, still has a way to go.

The styles presented are kind of much the same from the previous release. It’s raw, frenetic, urgent, chaotic and beautiful all wrapped into one. They were once described as grafting the heart and mind of the Beach Boys onto the body of Motorhead, a comparison that is dead on the money. The songs are pure fun and are in essence the pop music that they emphasise this record was all about, whilst at the same time being raw, gritty and all too willing to shock and piss off people.

As with any true pop album, there always has to be a cast of musicians playing some kind of weird instruments for the sake of having it there and this album is no exception. Well, I guess it actually is, there’s no orchestra, but Ray manages to pick up a Vibraphone for the outro of The Ballad of Katrin Cartlidge, other than that it’s the balls-to-the-ground chugging beats and churning guitars.

It’s great to see bands who don’t take themselves to seriously and have fun with what they do. It’s sad to see there’s no Race Track, but the Hard-Ons are still as awesome as ever at naming songs with completely retarded names like I’ll Get Thrush or Something, Poorest Kid on the Block and But Officer I Was Just Doing My Job. All in all, a good fun listen.