The Radiators From Space – Trouble Pilgrim

If you’ve never heard of Irish punk act The Radiators From Space, then you’re not alone.  Apparently the band existed for a brief career in the 70’s and early 80’s but disbanded after two full lengths that were less then commercially successes.  Apparently a good portion of the band kept in touch since their 1981 breakup when over twenty years later they reunited for a couple of EPs, which lead into their third studio full-length, Trouble Pilgrim.

Regardless of the band’s history, this album will inevitably serve as the majority’s introduction to these reunited old-timers.  And in that regard, each listener’s enjoyment will likely hinge on how much you want to hear a new record from The Clash or The Smiths that sounds as if written in 1981.  The band truly picks up where they left off, sounding like they could fit alongside Madness in an MTV best of the 80’s rotation.  Armed with humming organs, washed out vocals and a delivery that hints at minimal post-production work.   Songs like “Concierge” and “Second Avenue” garner distinct retro-punk vibes complete with synthesizers and neon-attitude (at times even venturing back as far as the 60’s).  But others like opener and title track “Trouble Pilgrim,” with their jiving guitar and UK attitude could be easily mistaken for something from Robin Hitchcock’s catalogue.

Trouble Pilgrim spans a lengthy fourteen-song track list that comes peppered with a glaring mid-album hole.  There’s somewhat of a break between the front and back halves, as well as a mid-album gully that will test listener’s attention.  The first section implements most of the aforementioned organ work, drawing inspiration from as far back as the 60’s, which works well until the slow drag of “Words.”  After that “The Dark At The Top Of The Stairs” blurs together with the rest until about “Package From Home” takes the reigns and sends the final four songs on an acoustic tangent that has me throwing around favourable references to Billy Bragg.

Despite the bloated fifty-minute run time and mid-way dry spell, Trouble Pilgrim presents a decent argument for checking out The Radiators From Space.  And while the quartet’s style is tried and true, they string everything together with a clear love for the movements they were long since a part of.  Trouble Pilgrim won’t change any minds for those who have since moved on, but I should find appreciation by anyone with a generous respect for the past.