The Lucky Ones – The Booze Sessions

If it wasn’t for Steve Stumble’s success as a label proprietor, I would seriously consider nudging him towards a local AA meeting.  You see, the Stumble Records founder’s latest endeavor comes in the form of Ontario’s drunken barstool belting bunch The Lucky Ones, with their aptly titled debut, The Booze Sessions.  Steve has even been quoted as claiming to have recorded the entire record while completely wasted – and I’m not surprised.

The Booze Sessions features nine tracks of alcoholic punk rock anthems that would make even those with the thickest blood tap out.  Those familiar with drunkards like The Beantown Boozehounds should find little to no learning curve.  And for that matter, The Lucky Ones have no grand aspirations other than living in the moment and guzzling pint upon seemingly endless pint.  So needless to say, don’t expect anything beyond a soundtrack to Steve’s night of unabashed inebriation.

“No Fear, More Beer” opens with the snap of drums, a slew of sloppy riffs, and Steve’s drunken ramblings.  “I got my six pack… by the end of the night I’ll be smashed, flat on my ass” Stumble slurs as he details a night of violent puking, and suffering the effects of calling a bouncer a “queer.”  But as the title repeating chorus makes clear, The Lucky Ones don’t learn from experience, instead living by a what-doesn’t-kill-you-makes-you-stronger mantra.  The band carries on their headstrong demeanor into “Backstabbers And Thieves,” a track featuring ethically opposed backing chants of “lie, lie, cheat, cheat,” before extolling the beverage’s medicinal virtues.  To paraphrase “I’ve Been Drinking For Days:” Broken up with your significant other?  Lost your job? Can’t pay the rent? Well it doesn’t matter, cause as long as you have a pint you’ve got it made (as touted in “Drinkin’ My Life Away”).  In short, according to The Lucky Ones, everything is just better when you’re plastered.

That being said, all this talk of alcohol makes The Booze Sessions very one-dimensional.  While bands like The Dropkick Murphys might have drinking songs – anthems really – The Lucky Ones simply sing about drinking.  There’s no great message or moral, just the effects of a glass to the lips (although “Raise A Glass” at least explores themes of camaraderie and brotherhood).  They’re quite similar to an Oi! act in that regard, something like a shallower iteration of The Business, or a Canadian copy of Cockney pub hooligans The Bermondsey Joyriders.  But when it comes down to it, The Booze Sessions isn’t a bad album by any means, and thanks to a quick beat and steady tempo sails by with a hearty vigor.  Let’s just hope there’s enough below the surface for a second round.