GrimSkunk - Set Fire! (2012) (8,5/10)

Six years after the band’s last studio effort, the French Canadian Alternative Rock legends GRIMSKUNK are back with a record called “Set Fire!” that fits somewhat well to the current economical, political and social situation in Quebec somewhere between promising new markets, the apparition of new political movements facing the traditional parties and the student demonstrations and riots in the streets of the province’s big cities in the last three months. The new record has once again many controversial statements that are definitely worth to take a closer look on the lyrics. This album is a document of its time and it might be interesting to listen to all of this again in the years to come.

On the other side, the album wasn’t recorded in a studio somewhere in Montreal between upset students, debating politicians and nervous police officers but in the sunny Down Under. The band integrated some elements of their journey in Australia in this record. The colourful and somewhat cryptic cover artwork was done by a local artist while the opening “Falling Into Shadow” surprises with transcending didgeridoo sounds played by the aboriginal artist Tjupurru. Exotic sounds and floating atmospheres meet a very catchy approach reminding me of U2 in this strong opener. In fact, the band has a couple of tracks that could get some radio airplay as the calm closing half ballad “Everybody Hates You” that sounds like a more rebellious version of COLDPLAY.

Fans of Alternative Rock, Crossover and Punk should though not be afraid. This record contains a great amount of straighter tracks and is way harder than the more commercial predecessor “Fires Under The Road”. This album goes back to the band’s roots and represents everything fans have always liked about the band. “Fuck Shit Up” is a worthy title for the second track that has some Hardcore Punk influences and goes straight in your face, as well as the chaotic grower “Moral Bigotry” reminds of the earlier days of the bands and mixes very fast punk passages with melodic sing along parts and a touch of sixties’ and seventies’ Rock and Roll while “Souriez, vous êtes filmés” mixes hardcore riffs, heavily addicting sing along passages, catchy but simple piano melodies and an almost danceable middle part to an addicting potpourri that could as well please to fans of SYSTEM OF A DOWN as it might be appreciated by fans of FRANZ FERDINAND.   

In the end, this record is a sure value and should please to any fan of the band. Even though there are no obvious hit singles on the album as it was the case in the past, there is no stinker on the entire record and the songs really tend to grow after a few tries. On the other side, even though the degree of variety is once again very elevated on here, the band could have pushed further in my humble opinion by digging deeper into aboriginal sounds and new experiments. After the very promising opener and the great title track, we somehow get some classic GRIMSKUNK music without too many surprises. Nevertheless, this is a great record for the upcoming summertime and mixes rebellious politically inspired undertones with a light flair of Australian vacancy.

(Online June 17, 2012)