Marbecks.co.nz, 07 January 2006, State Of Emergency Review

Author Unknown


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It was more than a decade ago that a Melbourne rockabilly covers outfit called the Runaway Boys wrote a bunch of original tunes and changed their name to The Living End. Ten and a bit years later, that same band are now onto their fourth album release.

For this album, the boys turned to an old cohort to help them in a new direction. Deciding it really is better the devil you know, the band once again enlisted the talents of legendary producer Nick Launay, who worked on their second album ‘Roll On’.

With more than forty demos under their belt, Chris, Scott and Andy went into a Byron Bay studio with Launay in 2005 to begin the next chapter in their already enthralling tale. Coming off the back a very successful 2004 (including huge tours of the US, first with Jet and the Vines and later with Blink 182 and No Doubt) the lads were in high spirits. The plan was simply to go in, lay everything down very quickly and get out again -- but hey, who ever sticks to the plan…

'State of Emergency' dishes out some of the best punk rock energy of The Living End’s career -- tracks like first single “What’s On Your Radio” -- it also gives fans a better look at that other side they have always known is there. Songs like the Midnight Oil flavoured anthem “Wake Up”, the shimmering Phil Spector-like psychedelia of “Order Of The Day” or the jazzy edge of “Nowhere Town” (complete with horns that will have some listeners thinking of Rocket From the Crypt) all show The Living End flexing their musical muscles and minds. It’s a very impressive balance, more so because there’s never a moment here where you could believe this was anyone except The Living End.