Review by Terris TaylorThe first time I saw TV Freaks, frontman Dave O’Connor was covered head to toe in winter clothes. As they played he undressed himself in the typical manner of a proper frontman. Only made brilliantly absurd by the amount of the set it took to get completely down to his briefs. The memory itself is a great metaphor for the band and their sound. Bratty, smart, fun and cool. Sure, I’m gushing– but it’s the honest truth.
TV Freaks are a modern punk band in the best way. They’re aware of their roots and wear them on their sleeves, but they’ve no pretensions to the idea that punk is some kind of revolutionary force here to right the wrongs of music. It’s just good tunes played the way they want, because, that’s how they’re gonna play ‘em bud.
With TWO, TV Freaks explore their influences without venturing too far off the path they’ve been carving for themselves. Album opener “Rewind” clocks in at just under four minutes making it the longest track. Starting with a blistering guitar riff reminiscent of Hot Snakes, and a Danko Jones like swagger, it sets the tone for the album. From there they fly through another twelve rippers. Ranging from snotty brash songs like “Knife”, that bring to mind earlier TV Freaks releases, to the slinky Flipper-esque “Pusher”, that oozes with half sarcastic commentary on drug dealers.
The band expands their repertoire with “Phone” and it’s hints of angular post punk along the lines of Drive Like Jehu. And “Salvation” with a noisey opening riff that sounds like it’s coming from a busted car stereo or an early Nirvana b-side, exploding into a swirling riff that is both dizzying and driving. The album closes with “Think” starting fast and punchy like all great punk songs. The overlapping vocals make it claustrophobic enhancing the message of the lyrics, only to give way to an epic ending that wouldn’t be out of place on a Do Make Say Think record.
I could probably reference another 100 bands to try to properly explain TWO, and that’s because the TV Freaks aren’t unwittingly creating a new genre of music. These guys have had the benefit of growing up with four decades of punk rock. Listeners get to reap the spoils, in the form of a well written album that picks and chooses from it’s influences with gleeful delight.
