Album Review: Hung Like Hanratty – Dragged Up

Those of a sensitive disposition should look away now as Hung Like Hanratty are back with their latest album, “Dragged Up“, that follows up on 2014’s “Human Pig“, 2016’s “Fifty Shades Of Shit” and 2018’s “What You See Is What You Get“. Hung Like Hanratty are brothers from another mother to the likes of The Owen Guns, Dirt Box Disco, Spunk Volcano And The Eruptions and Kid Klumsy, even previously sharing a label with those bands, who followed in the wake of old school controversial punk bands like Peter And The Test Tube Babies, The Macc Lads, Anti-Nowhere League and The Toy Dolls.

The same scattergun approach that was present on “What You See Is What You Get” is in full effect, the lyrics are never subtle and the album switches the target that the band have in their sights around every two or three minutes, from the all encompassing opener ‘I Hate The World‘ onwards you are in for a relentless forty minutes. Hung Like Hanratty address the random annoyances of everyday life: cyclists, annoying neighbours, social media, taxes, day jobs, the pub being shut, caravans and vet bills, to the more weighty issues of stereotypes, hypochondria, snobbery and ineffectual government, and even the events surrounding the Jeffry Epstein scandal, all of which are dealt with the same sledgehammer soundtrack and humour and a complete lack of subtlety.

The album’s final track, ‘Living For The Weekend‘, features keyboards from the late Dave Greenfield of The Stranglers, perhaps a timely reminder to enjoy life and seize the day, a sentiment that Hung Like Hanratty have embraced from day one. “Dragged Up” is an album that you would ideally experience played live surrounded by several hundred drunk punks screaming along to the singalong choruses, preferably with a pint of your own clutched in your hand, but whilst you are waiting for such things to happen again “Dragged Up” should tide you over. 

Hung Like Hanratty are not a band to be taken seriously and the songs are delivered with a knowing wink, if you’re offended by them they would probably be delighted, if you already love them then there’s a fair bet you already own “Dragged Up“, and I very much doubt that you are easily offended. “Dragged Up” is now available via digital service providers and the CD can be be purchased from Hung Like Hanratty here