Review Summary: A shot of strong distillate
The path to this record was not easy: at every step, the Isle of Wight punk band Grade 2 faced fierce resistance. After pandemic restrictions threatened their dreams and left their ambitions in limbo, the trio made a powerful breakthrough with their self-titled 2023 album. However, triumph was followed by the harsh reality of island life. After storming giant festivals like Rock am Ring and performing with titans like
Guns N’ Roses, they would return to their childhood homes and continue living ordinary lives – building personal relationships and searching for bearings in a changed world. Yet, the trio has evolved into true punk-rock heroes who, on their fourth album, manage to sound even more convincing than their illustrious predecessors and mentors.
Talk About It became a chronicle of all the trials and triumphs experienced by vocalist and bassist Sid Ryan, guitarist Jack Chatfield, and drummer Jacob Hull over twelve years – since the time when, as schoolboys, they first cranked up their amplifiers, shaking their practice room with youthful maximalism. Over six years, they have transformed into one of their native island’s most successful exports, striking a winning vein of relatable and accessible street punk free of excessive aggression and dubious reputation. It is precisely their story of coming of age that is reflected on the album, where each track carries the chaos and whirlwind of emotions accompanying that painful yet necessary transition from adolescent dreams to harsh reality.
Right from the opening chords of the track
Cut Throat, it becomes clear that the band did not radically change their style, but instead chose to hone it meticulously. Without sugarcoating the underbelly of an industry where it’s a dog-eat-dog world, the band utilizes all the necessary expressive components: a ferocious dual-vocal attack, jagged guitar riffs, and technical, nimble basslines. Despite the unmistakable imprints of their previous heritage, this track gains new shades thanks to a notable ferocity in the drumming and distinct nuances in Ryan’s vocals, giving the composition unexpected depth and almost palpable rage.
However, this time the sonic palette has become even richer. The musicians began to use keyboards more boldly, particularly the Hammond organ, which works especially well on the track
Hanging Onto You. This distinctive love song quite convincingly claims the title of the catchiest melody in the band’s discography. The composition features incredibly sharp shards of melodic guitars, while the rapidly spat-out lyrics about fighting mundanity in
Standing in the Downpour noticeably raise the bar of expectations. The theme of life in the fast lane is continued by
Crash and Burn – a high-speed number for those accustomed to living at a breakneck pace, completely forgetting to hit the brakes.
The album feels dynamic and diverse, a true "rollercoaster ride." The self-titled track stands out with buzzing power chords and unexpected splashes of piano. The composition is dedicated to how we often avoid truly important things in conversation and urges us to start talking about what matters. Ultimately, the title
Talk About It might well be called the ultimate summary for the entire album, touching upon a spectrum of emotions from love and ambition to personal turmoil.
At the same time, the track
Rotten shows its teeth: in it, the trio unleashes pure hardcore punk fury, directly speaking out against the political course of modern times. The theme of home is also not left behind – in the tracks
Smugglers Haven and
Wasteland, the musicians continue to explore their complex, love-hate relationship with the Isle of Wight while paying homage to their water-locked homeland.
The track
Better Today could well be called a metaphor for the band’s own existence. A similar resilience is demonstrated by
Don’t Worry About Me. But a special place is held by the closing anthem
Otherside, where Ryan reflects on the path traveled and acknowledges the pain of personal loss. Lines about battling inner demons turn the track into a convincing finale for the album, where the band members admit to themselves: "This is what we went through – and we’re still here!"
On
Talk About It, the musicians chose a tactic of “sharp shock.” The entire record lasts less than half an hour, resembling a shot of strong distillate. Within this timeframe, Grade 2 strives to maintain their accustomed precision and sharpness. For this alone, the new album can be called a creative victory. It is a bright new chapter born from sheer willpower and the ability to transmute complex emotions into the energy of 1970s classic punk.
