Album Review: Shame, Drunk Tank Pink

When these well-thought-of post-punks released their debut album, Songs Of Praise, in 2018, press and punters alike quickly dropped to their knees to worship at Shame’s altar. Their much anticipated second full-length sees them in no less god-like form, with the quintet tackling fresh subjects and soundscapes in a bid to both make sense of the horror show that is modern life, and to prove that the band are musical thoroughbreds rather than one trick ponies.

Inspired by the likes of Gang Of Four, Drunk Tank Pink is an intoxicating listen that reveals new layers with repeated plays. Songs like ‘Snow Day’ examine what happens when the tour bus wheels are forced to stop rolling (“I live deep within myself/Just like everyone else” chants frontman Charlie Steen) while elsewhere they flirt with funk (‘Nigel Hitter’) and pummelling John Reis-style riffs during standout ‘Harsh Degrees.’ Album number two does have some filler (‘Water In The Well’ strays too much into the territory of that butter-flogging, utter disappointment John Lydon for these ears) but for the most part the performances from guitarist Sean Coyle-Smith help mask the flaws.