Where could it possibly go wrong? One of the year’s deepest, most musically complex albums (from Leeds based Thank), being reviewed by one of the most lightweight music reviewers on the circuit. I have been inspired by track Do It Badly. Bail out here, as they say dear reader, bail out here.

If John Lyden Pil, the Dead Kennedys, Tears for Fears, and Half Man Half Biscuit got trapped in a lift, worked each other up into a manic state, while with their instruments and a recording machine, Tears for Fears managed to escape half way through, they might have come up with something not a million miles from I Have a Physical Body That Can Be Harmed.

Yes I admit, it’s a very big lift to get trapped in, but then it’s a huge album.

From a review of I Have A Physical Body I read, it seems that there is always a value to retaining threads and thoughts of songs that initially seemingly lead nowhere. Lead singer Freddie explained that a number of the tracks were either reworking or the forging together of older ideas.

Opener Control sets the scene. Live at the album launch, the drums were positioned at the forefront and heavily tattooed head shaved man mountain Steve Myles beat the shit out of the skins while steam literally emited from his body and sweat and water bounces liberally around off the skins. Part drum monster, part human fountain spectacular.

Control takes me back to teen evenings in my bedroom overlooking the rural Welsh hills, disturbing my parents Corrie enjoyment by playing PiL albums far too loudly (in their opinion only, I would stress) for a semi detached.

Woke Frazier is definitely the accessible hit track of the album, with its playful almost disco electronic backing, those urgent, insistent, frantic beats, and that hilarious lyric, where lead vocalist Freddie Vinehill-Cliffe implores your to believe he is the bastion for anti-woke given the outrage that even your elderly cat going woke provokes.

Live at the album launch, Freddie shared a story that a few folk thought this was an anti woke song, rather than it be placing a spotlight on those who rail fanatically, furiously and stupidly against things woke. Who ever imagined an era where being thoughtful and kind would be used as a weapon.

Do It Badly has another reference towards Freddie’s long suffering (woke cat), here the poor feline is ill and has an absess. A snippet of real life and a song dedicated to the art of doing something, as long as it’s done, even pouring Guinness into a Madri glass (imagine the horror). This track has a bit of the spirit of Mark E Smith to my ear. Smiling Politely also has something of that Fall vibe – jaunty, challenging, sneering, but this is a musically huge tune, heavy on drums and a sheer mix of noise (I did warn you about my reviewing prowess – doing it badly).

Down With The Sickness is a wonderful song, just such a dark tune, society never learning from our mistakes, and inventing things that make others miserable. Here Freddie’s cat eats dead bodies (little wonder then that it is ill). There’s a bright jaunty beat to match that nihilistic lyric.

Perhaps Today is inspired by a religious grouping of the same name who tell us to always be prepared for the time where we might be wrenched off the world to get to heaven. It’s a bright piece of mad funk imagining how we should prepare for the day, and who and what might get left behind (pets for example). This is a magnificent piece of imagination.

In its packed near 36 minutes, I Have a Physical Body That Can Be Harmed is crammed with everyday observations, wry humorous social commentary, spades of heavy musical inspiration, and gnarly spiky insistent vocals. All designed to keep this album sounding fresh and varied. A totally likable album and one of the best of 2024.

* words and photos by tiggerligger