The Old Haunts - Poisonous Times Album Review

The Old Haunts
Poisonous Times
Touch & Go
Album Review

Sometimes 'polished' is exactly what you don't want. You want 100 ideas a minute and instruments played honestly, rather than shimmering perfection. The spirit of punk in the mid-70s, the melodies of There She Goes and Another Girl, Another Planet, are all brought to life in these wonderfully undercooked songs. Like the Tapes 'n Tapes album, there is not a moment of the disc uncovered by hooks that would do Velcro proud.

It can seem a little odd in places, a bit spooky, but that's mostly down the even-sneerier-than-Pete-Doherty vocals. And it is to the Libertines first disc that it would be best to look for a comparison - the guitar leads the line, rhythm hooking up to melodic lead in the best garage punk style. Poisonous Times is an album that may make no sense at all to a Radio 2 listener, or anyone over 25. It could be so much better played, more perfectly sung - the songs could take it. But it wouldn't be anywhere near so enjoyable if it were - The Old Haunts are one of those bands you hope, just hope, you'll find in a 100-capacity club some time.

4/5

Mike Rea