Album Review: The Inklings – Bricolage

The Inklings is a name whose origins lie in an informal literary discussion group associated with C.S. Lewis back in the mists of time, it is a name that has influenced many to adopt it in the name of creativity, all well and good, unless you are reviewing an album and don’t have a press release and you have to find the right one. In this case we’re talking about the The Inklings from the North East of the UK, not to be confused with the Kansas City’s The Inklings, the animated version of The Inklings or any of the mass of the bands and Facebook groups that have chosen this ridiculously popular moniker, who have released their new album ‘Bricolage‘ that is now available via digital service providers, or on a limited run CD digipack direct from the band.

‘Minefield‘ kicks off “Bricolage” with a sinister hybrid of dark ska, post punk, new wave and garage punk, this eclectic opener sets the tone for an unpredictable 45 minutes. “Bricolage” continues to blend influences, from the sinister skank of “Too Vain To Die” to it’s poppier tracks, ‘City Of Grey‘, ‘Good Day‘ and ‘Break Down‘, through to their rockier moments of ‘It’s a Long Road‘, ‘Flags Are Flying‘, and ‘Crazy Lady‘. The punkier element of “Bricolage” come to the fore with the second wave sound of ‘Finest Face‘ and the driven post punk, an area where they play their strongest hand, of the thunderous duo of ‘Dirty Town‘ and ‘Two Storms Collide‘. “Bricolage” closes with the album’s most heartfelt moment, “The Sun And The Sea“, that brings things to anthemic finalè.

The influences are spread far and wide on “Bricolage“, but I think it’s safe to say that The Inklings are hardcore fans of The Stranglers, the unexpected blends of styles and the dark tone to the album is one that stems from their legacy. Despite the overtones of The Men In Black this not an album that can be pigeonholed, whilst rooted in punk rock different elements are brought to bear on each track resulting in an album that ebbs and flows steadily over it’s run time, making this an album that lives up to it’s moniker. For anyone with a taste for the vintage side of the UK punk scene “Bricolage” will provide a modern take on the roots of punk, although the diverse influences that span across the album’s twelve tracks mean that this is an album that is unlikely to please everyone all the time.

“Bricolage” is now available via digital service providers including Amazon Music, Apple Music, Deezer and Spotify