“Kids Off The Estate”. Release Date 15/11/21
Sitting down with the debut long player from Sheffield Indie Rockers, The Reytons “Kids Off The Estate” was something I was very much looking forward to. I have seen The Reytons live three times now, and they are more than excellent. I’m hoping that energy and rawness that is so prevalent when they play live is still there on their debut album…time will tell….
The first track off the rank is “Mind The Gap” and its pumping bass and dirty guitar riffs, reminding me of The Artic Monkeys circa their first two albums, and that’s the flavour that permeates right the way through this record.
Their lyrics range from boozy nights out, relationships gone wrong, relationships gone right, dodgy geezers, debts being owed to the wrong people, living life on the poverty line, all delivered and wrapped up in indie rock with a razor-sharp punk edge.
The tracks come at you fast on this record. Not one of the songs lasts more than 3 1/2 minutes, there is no time for self-indulgence on a Reytons, record. It’s in your face and your ‘aving it, large.
The songs that stand out for me are “Low Life” (I’ve seen what this song does to the crowd in a live venue and it’s lost none of its edge on record), and “Broke Boys Cartel” which starts off with what might be some of my favourite lyrics of the whole record,
“He’s stuck his very last fiver,
On an eightfold acca,
Even though it’s never come in before,
He’s only got a half pack of bacca,
And the odds look knackered,
But the fact of the matter is more,
Cause all the boys are on a bender,
Weekend offenders,
All sorts of fun from unlicensed vendors,
And he’s worried that he might miss out,
Cause they’re one nil down, And he can’t cash out” ….
Brilliant stuff!!!
After listening to the whole record and writing what I have written, I have got to the end of the review and part of me wants to scrap what I have written and just write:
“If you like your Indie Rock, full of melody, anthemic and driving, tight as f%&K, energetic and unrelenting, with witty, sharp and insightful lyrics, then this record is for you. Just go and buy it, you won’t regret it. And while you’re at it grab a ticket for their next show, because The Reytons should be your next favourite band”.
The Reytons are one of the reasons why the future of British guitar bands is in safe hands. Right, I’m going to grab a beer and listen to it again.
8/10
TRACK LISTING
1/MIND THE GAP
2/ANTIBIOTICS
3/ EXPECTATIONS OF A FOOL
4/ SALES PITCH FOR THE BUS FARE HOME
5/ NOTHING TO DECLARE
6/ SLICE OF LEMON
7/ CAR CRASH
8/ LOW LIFE
9/ WHAT YOU FIGHTING FOR
10/ BROKE BOYS CARTEL
11/ LANDSLIDE
12/ SHOEBOX
13/ TRIALS AND TRIBULATIONS
14/ KIDS OF THE ESTATE
FOLLOW THE REYTONS
My life is a soundtrack, i track my life through music, photography is my passion, my escape, my expression. Without both i have pieces missing, thankfully i’m blessed and get to combine both.
Born in Manchester, lived in Australia for 22 years where i was heavily involved in the Australian Music Industry, firstly in bands (Singer) and then managing bands (all original), I moved back to the UK, Wales specifically 10 years ago and married my childhood sweetheart and life is good.
