Ducking Punches – Fizzy Brain

Ducking Punches are a quintet that hail from Norwich, England, this is their third album and the first for Xtra Mile Recordings. In boxing terms Ducking Punches is a technique used not only to create a solid defence, but also to engage and draw a reaction, and I must say that on the basis of this album it would seem the band have chosen an appropriate moniker.

Ducking Punches have a long association with Frank Turner, vocalist and guitarist Dan Allen played guitar for him when he was unable to play live due to an injury that threatened to curtail a tour, and Frank has returned the favour by making a cameo appearance on the opening track, Greedy Bones, and it’s noticeable that he is a significant influence on their overall sound. Whilst this is ostensibly a folk punk album they have avoided many of the clichés that appear on innumerable releases of this genre, there isn’t a drinking song or anything even remotely resembling a jig to be found on Fizzy Brain. They have avoided the predictable and there are strains of post punk introspection to be found on this release in addition to more obvious styles and influences you would expect to find. Throughout Fizzy Brain changes of tempo and style pepper the album and the shared vocal duties, between Dan Allen and Sophie Porter, on a number of the songs provides an engaging contrast.

This is a rousing and passionate album but for me there’s an almost imperceptible quality missing from the overall mix, maybe it’s because I find that this album is neither fish nor fowl. It’s possibly due to the diverse nature of influences of display on this album that it doesn’t appear to have an established identity, but having said that this is a satisfying and engaging album and that does lure you back in after your initial exposure. Whilst Ducking Punches don’t manage to land a knockout blow this album does deliver over the 11 tracks contained on Fizzy Brain, and for fans of folk punk that want something more satisfying and original than tales of boisterous carousing this is an authentic grass roots release that is well worth investigating.