The Creature Comfort – Everything Is Hidden

It seems a lifetime ago since The Creature Comfort’s self-titled debut long player was released into our lives. 2013 to be more precise which, in terms of the more common album release schedule of most bands, is quite some time ago by anyones standards. However considering The Creature Comfort were originally around in the late 80’s and that their first album didn’t appear for over 20 years a mere 8 could probably be considered quick. And those 8 years have been peppered with the release of a series of 5 singles, all of which appear on ‘Everything Is Hidden’.

We’re happy to report that ‘Everything Is Hidden’, like their debut, is an album absolutely packed full of explosive energy. Underpinning it all is a raw, sharp edged, 60’s garage psyche backbone that’s overlaid with wonderful vibes that suck in subtle influences as diverse as Northern Soul, mod and funk, to the more obvious MC5 / The Stooges / The Sonics influences. There’s a growing sense of maturity to the songs and with that a considered view of the world around us. Singer-songwriter Ben Le Jeune has also become a parent since album no.1. Age brings an enlightened, more astute view of things on songs such as opener ‘Alone By Your Side’ –  thundering, guitar drenched, garage -punk that immediately states “As I walk down this road I don’t know where the years have gone”.

Rolling drums and a searing funky guitar riff bring in “What We Want (Power, Corruption & Lies)” and it’s pop at politicians & business bosses being in each others pockets. With references to the things that rightly anger us, the insidious  ways of our ‘leaders’ – “The rich they just keep on getting richer, it seems they always want a little bit more” (‘Life’s A Crime’) as well as the occasional look back at regrets “I feel bad about the things I’ve done. Words that I wrote, songs that I’ve sung” (‘Feel Bad’), ‘Everything Is Hidden’ gives you plenty to think about. But it’s not morose. Not by a long way.

Huge, reverberating riffs and drums dominate while the beats are infectious. It’s an album that packs some real punches. ‘Dissatisfied’ would be perfectly at home on any of Iggy’s best releases whilst ‘And You Know It’ is an explosive 1min 59s tale of a fallen angel seeking absolution. Imagine Joy Division on speed – fiercely intense and incredibly catchy – and you’ll get the picture. The Creature Comfort have delivered an album that ultimately wants you to have a good time, to get out there and dance about. It’s loud, its fast, it’s jammed full of their trademark psyche rock. It’ll be another contender for the top 20 albums of the year and another album this reviewer can’t wait to hear played live.

Everything Is Hidden will be released on the 25th June and can be pre-saved / added / ordered here