Fontaines DC debut “Dogrel” fully delivers on cracking promise

The Irish post-punk disciples are out to save Rock’n’Roll, and they’re doing a pretty good job

The first album from Dublin’s Fontaines DC starts with the relentless charge of “Big”, one of the best songs of this year and any other year. From then on, it never lets up, as they unleash the full arsenal of post-punk noise, in a high energy, poetry-laden, melody-filled, sing-along fist-pumping attack.

Guitars ring and screech, bass rumbles and bounces, drums thud and hammer. And with these basics they forge a record brimming with gems, which they play straight but not too much: a quick left turn here, some weird shredding there, catchy hooks galore.

Frontman Grian Chatten is the main weapon here. His “singing” is a punky holler/speak, like Mark E. Smith, only less jaded and cynical, and much more Irish. Except when he is inhabited by Morrissey, warbling on a couple of tracks, or Shane McGowan when he slows down for some pub-singing. He spouts simple, witty poetry, often repeating his slogan-like chants. Like his prestigious influences, he is less interested in revolution than the picking apart of mundane, dead-end everyday routine.

Dogrel is a bloody impressive debut that will jack you up with rocking energy. Multiple shots are allowed, even recommended.