Ambush Reality Records (label)
15 February 2010 (released)
11 March 2010
Enter Shikari come bounding into 2010 with this 'Thumper' of a tune, taken from a 'Common Dread Companion' album of B-sides and other lovely bits and pieces to accompany 2009's 'Common Dreads' album.
It seems that before I'd even pressed play, 'Thumper' was in full flow and chiselling chunks out of my gentler Indy leaning sensibilities. I didn't cry though, but did in fact find myself drawn rather surprisingly to the 'axiomatic subject matter executed with absolute lucidity'. That's right folks, this song, despite it's raucous tempo and cries of 'Oi, Oi!', doesn't condone the destruction of public property or disturbance of the peace as you'd expect to associate with a tune like this, but does in fact have a comprehensible message delivered with the level-headed pace of an MP's key-note at a constituency meeting. But less boring. And more relevant. In fact an Enter Shikari constituency meeting would probably boast a buffet served on paper plates with the sneering face of one of the band members printed on it, so when you've gobbled up your sausage on a stick, you get the cynical mug of Chris Batten giving you the finger.
Serving suggestions aside, 'Thumper' is nothing short of a battering ram, making way for the rest of the album, which, hopefully can follow on with the same pace and urgency that 'Thumper' so effectively paved the way for.
