Starting out as housemates before quickly becoming bandmates, Amyl and The Sniffers’ self-titled debut LP is a true representation of their garage-rock.
Amyl and The Sniffers is blissful chaos from a band that’s pegged pub punk to a tee. Those who have seen The Sniffers live know they have a stage presence that can’t be matched, and their debut LP almost needs to be witnessed in a live setting to get the full experience.
Regardless, the album still has the hard and fast feel of a live performance. The duration of each song is a testament to that, with most clocking under three minutes – the album hurries by in just 30 minutes.
Some of the band’s best songs are only a minute and half, ‘GFY’, ‘Punisha’ and ‘Gacked on Anger’ being prime examples. Each song is a burst of energy and packs a powerful punch and even their longer songs are intense and garish, such as ‘Some Mutts (Can’t Be Muzzled)’ and the obnoxiously loud ‘Monsoon Rock’: “You just try and stop us!”
Released under Flightless Records, a label that has pushed out the large majority of King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard’s records, Amyl and The Sniffers is more refined compared to previous EPs Giddy Up and Big Attraction.
It’s fun, it’s assertive and most importantly it’s raw – whether or not you like punk, this album will breathe life into anyone.
8.5
