The title being taken from the chorus of Chapter 24 – a track from Pink Floyd’s own 1967 debut ‘Piper At The Gates Of Dawn’ makes it quite apparent that these dark psychedelic rockers don’t muck about when it comes to choosing their influence and inspiration.

Pink Floyd’s ‘Piper…’ was without doubt the finest British Psychedelia album of its time, and with this debut lightning bolt, Neil’s Children have created what could arguably be its modern counterpart. But it’s not just Floyd who have been carefully selected here; PiL, Wire, ‘Fire In Cairo’ era Cure, Joy Division, and old school new wave combined with Buzzcocks, Spacemen 3 and John’s Children. All British greats; all debut albums. However, this is more a respectful nod of acknowledgement than rip off noise thievery.

Outstanding tracks here are ‘Comedown’, ‘How Does It Feel Now You’re On Your Own’, ‘I Hate Models’, ‘Trying To Be Someone Else For Free’ and ‘See Through Me’. Opener ‘Comedown’ is a scorcher with its echo pedal call-to-arms intro and subsequent blast off into raucous, shouting rock ‘n’ roll. ‘How Does It Feel…’ poses the question “why isn’t this on a film score?’ with a tune reminiscent of ‘Piper…’ track ‘Lucifer Sam’. The single ‘I Hate Models’ is a particular highlight; simple, effective, repetitive, dirty and passionate. It makes me truly wonder how the music industry has gotten so fucked up that it wasn’t Top Of The Pops! ‘Trying To Be…’ is a discotastic stomp all over your floor filler and ‘See Through Me’ is a dark moving self analytical shouter that will probably stamp all over that! The “secret track” is rather amusing also; consisting of the opening track in reverse it saves you moaning about the gradual extinction of vinyl and not being able to play your records backwards. Listen out for the devil uttering satanic babble!

It is clear from listening to this record, from the way in which NC have used their influences and inspiration and what they have created from it that they are fighting a cause. Contemporary music’s wrecked; they are here to help save it. Or finish it off, depending on how you look at it. But ultimately this is what British music needs right now - something edgy and raw, something compassionate but ballsy, without the winging The spirit of youth, backed by a kick up the arse from the masters. A renaissance.

Change / Return / Success, Neil’s Children are the new crusaders.

Whose side are you on? - Marc Norris

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