Recorded in June by Brighton band Creature Creature, Two Finger Tantrum is a stunning debut album. The band who were previously known as 40 Shillings on the Drum started out as a folk-punk outfit, however, they have now moved into a more contemporary rock sound. A change in sound meant a change in name and thus Creature Creature was born.
The band are nearing a grand total of 1000 monthly listeners on Spotify and have even amassed over 39,000 streams for their first single Video Nasty. With an impressive amount of festivals in their back pockets and radio play from BBC Introducing, I am excited to see what the rest of 2020 brings for Creature Creature.
Kicking off with a high, Two Finger Tantrum opens with bouts of energy. Four Star Blackout is an excellent opening to the album with punchy guitars and an upbeat vibe. Frontman Daniel Scully has a wonderfully expressive tone which definitely plays its part in upping the spirit of this lively track.
The upbeat vibe runs effortlessly throughout Four Star Blackout, a factor which is helped immensely by the rousing guitar riffs and quick drum beat. It is already clear to me that this album will be a strong release from the Brighton rockers.
The second track, Beggars on the Street addresses the saddening homeless situation that Brighton currently faces. The melancholic subject does not bring down the overall tone of the track. Still, with an upbeat feel, you really need to listen to the lyrics of this one to understand its emotion.
Cocaine Charmaine marks the halfway point of the album. With a building of bass and expert string bending guitars, the introduction to Cocaine Charmaine builds to conclude with a moment of silence. It is more than obvious what will come next however this cliche move is one that I will always love. There’s nothing better than when a song explodes into sound with electrifying guitars and a vigorous drumbeat.
If there is one thing that needs to be said about this track, it is that the bassline has attitude. So often the bass is overlooked in songs, but it lives front and centre in Cocaine Charmaine.
Although the chorus is very simple in nature, it works as a perfect contrast to the lyric filled verses. Its simple chorus is what will make Cocaine Charmaine a favourite among fans, with easy to learn lyrics I have no doubt that Creature Creature will be hearing the words sang back to them at their next live performance.
Video Nasty, the first single from Two Finger Tantrum, is the band’s best-received song to date. It comes at no surprise to me that it has over 39,000 Spotify streams, with its punchy snare and catchy riff it is one that will be stuck in your head for days to come.
The drums are front and centre of this snappy tune which with its explosion of sound becomes a real stand out for this release. Full to the brim with exciting guitar riffs and a funky bass line, Video Nasty has the potential to be a very catchy tune.
Next, we have the more mellow sound of Safety Net. This is not a bad thing though, it works in Creature Creatures favour by showing that they have versatility. The vocals are front and centre for this melodious track with a complementing accompaniment of softly plucked guitars.
Although not completely sombre, Safety Net is awarded the title of Two Finger Tantrum’s sad song. With a more gentle nature, the song acts as a moment of tranquillity before anthemic tune The Early Days kicks in.
Sure to be a fan favourite, The Early Days revives the energy seen in Video Nasty and turns it up to eleven. This track is a stand out to me purely based on the reason that it has massive Green Day vibes. The bouncy bassline is nostalgic of 90s pop-punk however Creature Creature have put their own spin on it to make a sound that is completely their own.
If you love a good guitar solo then The Early Days is the track for you. With clean picking and a bright tone, the solo really brings the track to life and shows once again how amazingly produced Two Finger Tantrum is.
The closing track, Saturday Night Slaughter brings the album to a resolution. Directly inspired by the Robert Miles song Children, which was created to slow down club nights after a rise in car accidents, Saturday Night Slaughter takes on a similar mournful tone.
Daniel Scully’s vocals really shine on this track, the accompanying harmonies bring a new edge of raw emotion to Two Finger Tantrum which we have not yet heard in previous tracks. The drop in energy leads to a more atmospheric vibe that works as a compliment rather than a contrast to the hard-hitting feel of this release.
With an ending that comes too suddenly a sense of intrigue is left with the listener. This intrigue turns into wonder for what Creature Creature will do next and morphs again into a desire to hear more.
Two Finger Tantrum is an extremely impressive debut album. The production value is incredible and everything is so clean cut. This is an album that almost anyone can enjoy, even if you are necessarily a rock fan, there is something for everyone on Two Finger Tantrum. If I were you I would not think twice before adding at least one track to your playlists.
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