The voice of real youth culture! The heart and soul of another punk band which kicks and screams until the barren land before is left burning and smoldering! The landscape covered in a carpet of ash. The devastation is seen and heard by everyone who passes through it's now rugged terrain. This wave of destruction is headed by THE PADDINGTONS, a five piece from deepest, darkest Hull. A part of this great land of ours which is currently a hotbed for bands of this quality.
This teen punk album is a must be heard to be believed record. 11 punk pounding, alcohol filled, teen angst tracks, which, punch, spit, lunge, grab and shout their way into society today. The views of youth culture are upheld by the actions and deeds of the band. It's no secret that the band like a drink or two. But then who doesn't? Alcohol related behavior, be it social or antisocial, has become part of the present day scene. It has symbolized, if you will, youth anger, a way to express how they feel. Some might say it has left a dark cloud hanging over the heads of those who carry out their actions, though most teenagers don't really give a f*ck, and will contrive to press this particular button to open un an escape hatch in which to escape and enter a new reality.
The album is stack full of raw punk-pop energy, which is bursting at the seams to be freed and most importantly heard. Clocked at just over half an hours worth of direct and channeled punk devoted songs, which align the senses to understanding the ideas and values of the band. One of the most powerful emotions embedded into these tracks is angry. The Paddingtons have a drunken angry mix thoroughly into this album.
For me the finest moment from FIRST COMES FIRST, is in the form of PANIC ATTACK. Dark lyrics open the track, which are formed by associates of the band destroying themselves with drugs. " Do you wanna die/Go on commit suicide" Evil dwellings which evoke emotional outpourings from lead singer Tom Atkin.
SOME OLD GIRL has a edgy vibe to it which is complimented by Clasheqse style grit! ALRIGHT IN THE MORNING has a slightly exotic flavor to the proceedings. Reggae riffs flood the track to good effect. LOSER is a very very very "in your face" track. You hear elements of sex pistol like riffs streaking through the track. FIRST COMES FIRST has a violent, brutal tinge to it. Hailing gun crime, as if it makes you feel big and power. To attain a certain level of energy, whilst holding and brandishing a fire arms. 50 TO A £ has a certain Pete n Carl feel to proceedings. The lyrics in particular have a lot of similarities to the heydays of The Libertines " One night of madness/To look straight into those eyes/ turns to sadness/
This album has all the emotions, desires and I dare say the odd drop of the hard stuff thrown in for good measure, to make a debut album of passion, rage, filth and fury of the youth culture of today. The aura with which this band and its values have displays can only underline the fact that England is snarling with fire in its belly!