Album Review: shame delivered on promise of debut with Drunk Tank Pink

April 13, 2021 Brian Hillsman 525 Views album, Drunk Tank Pink, Idles, new music, post-punk, punk rock, Review, Shame

On January 12, 2018, South London rock quintet, shame, released their astounding and impactful debut album Songs of Praise. They were immediately thrust into the whirlwind of countless sold-out shows, cementing themselves, at the time, as one of the most promising bands to hail from the UK. Three years almost to the day after shame released Song of Praise, they delivered on that promise with the release of Drunk Tank Pink on Secretly Canadian’s Dead Oceans imprint mid-January.

The post-punk act from South London gained notoriety both for that incredible debut and touring with one of the UK’s hottest rock act, Idles. It’s no surprise we like this record after our review of Idles’ latest effort. Cut from similar cloth, both acts are shining examples of the incendiary UK post-punk scene that has been getting the attention of music fans world wide over the past few years.

Shame Drunk Tank Pink album art
Drunk Tank PInk kicks off with “Alphabet,” establishing a frenetic pace maintained for most of the album.

shame hones in on the collective fatigue of the planet with their first single from the record, “Nigel Hitter.” Frontman Charlie Steen belts, “I never did nothing I couldn’t handle. Burn at both ends; that’s my candle.” The catchy song is a number that will demand multiple spins on the turntable.

“Snow Day” encapsulates the varied, emotional, lyrical content shame balances throughout the LP. It is drenched with pathos, emitting frustration, conveying fatigue and weariness to push forward.

“Human, for a Minute” temporarily slows the tempo and shifts the tone of the LP while the track “Great Dog” resumes the album’s previous fevered pace.

Steen’s lyrics and vocal delivery range from calm and subdued to relentlessly emotive, bellowing with exasperation. There is a distinct cadence through the Drunk Tank Pink that feels familiar. The band’s instrumentation impeccably echoes the emotional content of his vocals. Themes of defending against negative influences that can bring a person down spiral through shame’s sophomore release with what feels like a coping mechanism to maintain mental health are present.

With “Harsh Degrees,” the culmination of Drunk Tank Pink initiates. “Stitch me up; I’m beginning to tear…” stands out as a line which sums up the atmosphere of the entire LP. The track feels like a set up for the album’s ringing finale, “Station Wagon.”

shame’s growth between their debut and sophomore effort is substantive. The band stripped down their sound to the essentials and reassembed it. Drunk Tank Pink is a dissonant introspection fueled by exhaustion. The raucous ventiing is superbly executed. Given the energy evoked when experiencing the album, we should all look forward to seeing them live soon. shame really did tackle the sophomore album jinx and won in spectacular fashion.