OFF! - Wasted Years

Anthony Kiedis’ favourite punx are back, dreadlocks flailing in the wind, with this, their second studio full length record. Mind you, to say “They’re back” feels a bit weird; after all, OFF! are something of a supergroup, featuring as they do a bloke who used to be in Black Flag and the dude who bangs the drums in Rocket From The Crypt.

What we’re presented with on ‘Wasted Years’ is 16 slices of ramshackle garage punk with its beating 80s heart worn well and truly on its sleeve. From the kicking, spitting fury of ‘Void You Out’ to the, er… kicking, spitting fury of ‘Exorcised’ only one of these songs breaks the two minute barrier and the whole thing feels like a perpetual boot in the head. Keith Morris’ vocal delivery in particular is as apoplectic as it ever was, and given that this is a man in his late 50s we are talking about, that’s an impressive fact in its own right.

Is it a good album though? Well, it’s alright. If you have heard OFF! before then you will be able to make a pretty accurate estimation of what this record sounds like. There are basically no odd turns here, no tangents into unexpected territory and certainly nothing at will make you spin your head round for a second glimpse. That being said, it fulfils its remit with consummate ease and you’d be hard pressed to say it’s unenjoyable. The sound of four men keeping the original flame of punk alive – and there ain’t a damn thing wrong with that.