Across three studio albums, a live record, an EP, and a handful of singles, Seattle-based The Drowns have been offering a much-needed political wake-up call about the dangers of unfettered capitalism and our country’s drift into fascism, all backed by distorted guitars and ferocious drumming. Harsh Reality, their latest, is no different; it just seems like the rest of the country has finally (hopefully?) caught up to the warnings.
You can hear their political message just two songs in on “Have a Heart,” a remarkably catchy punk anthem with bassist Andy Wylie on vocals. The track is a clarion call for empathy as a way to rise up against a government pushing to divide us, proving the band are just as adept at channeling hope into a potent political message as they are at wielding vitriol. Wylie also takes the mic on other songs throughout the collection, like “Hellish Tattoo,” “Strangled Voices,” and “Burn the Page,” one of the album’s many highlights.
Here more than on any other record, Wylie showcases a crooning style similar to Alkaline Trio’s Dan Andriano and Smoking Popes’ Josh Caterer, which is a strong contrast to guitarist/singer Rev Peters’ equally compelling gruff vocal style.
Peters’ style serves some of the angrier political tracks here well, like the opening track, “Always a Bastard,” and the addictive “Relentless.” On “Let’s Start a Cult,” he turns his focus to religion, offering one of the best anti-religious songs since XTC’s “Dear God” and Frank Turner’s “Glory Hallelujah.”
Since their earliest releases, comparisons to bands like The Clash and Stiff Little Fingers have been expected and warranted; all three are remarkably great bands that have used punk rock to educate listeners about injustice and inequality through powerful lyrics and addictive choruses. But rather than coming off like ’70’s punk revivalists, The Drowns have managed to add their own distinctive stamp to the genre. Harsh Reality may be their strongest argument yet that politically charged punk can be furious without being hopeless and melodic without sacrificing its message.
That combination of fury and optimism is what makes Harsh Reality hit so hard. The Drowns aren’t simply documenting how fucked up things have become; they’re reminding us that accepting it is a choice. It’s a harsh reality, sure, but one that can still be changed. And The Drowns have supplied the soundtrack.
