Popes Of Chillitown – ‘A Word To the Wise’ (Evil Uncle Records, Out March 2013)

Popes of Chillitown are no strangers to WithGuitars wowing everyone a fair while back with ‘I See Dub People’ was on repeat. Happy days when we heard that in the Summer of 2012 the band took time off from their busy touring schedule to record their debut album at Mashwack Studios in Central London. The band were said to be keen to capture their raw live party sound, back then they were seen sharing stages with the likes of The Skints, Reel Big Fish and The Selecter. ‘A Word To The Wise’ deals with themes of growing up in modern times, the balance between personal and social attitudes and looking for positive in an increasingly negative world.

The band exhibit a a colourful blend of musical styles including Reggae, Ska, Punk, Dub and a few more besides, collectively an intriguing musical landscape in 2013 to wonder and engage, the Popes Of Chillitown are normally on the upbeat. One listen through their debut album and I’m thinking of a new training program to get ready for the gigs and tours that will, no doubt, follow.

As you may expect the album is rich in sound,‘Blame Game’ sparks the opening of proceedings in right uptempo ska feel with killa sax at least their is a couple of bars with an acoustic guitar break to take in much needed oxygen, and a much need break, what surprises is a slightly more laid back, brighter, instantly more accessible version of ‘I See Dub People’, think fans will be spilt between those that stick with the older EP version and the album one, a good thing in my book, a variety to chose from.  ‘Dalking Man’ and ‘Brave’ add to the evidence that this will be a memorable debut for the South East band.

After an amiable interlude, the next track is ‘Tooting Ska Moon’ is a harder sell, see been to Tooting – a ska mosh would hypothetically get escorted from the High Street, no surprise that this is not what the song concerned with, I’m just trying to explain that’s all, instead ‘Tooting Ska Moon’ is a very competent song the narrative of which you can relate too. ‘Person Under a Train’ personalises the blank announcement, it would be a mercy if the band could just take it easy, just give me fewer highlights, I’m running low on superlatives, but no rest; ‘Scene Of The Crime’ is tight, bulleted vocals only eased as the music takes over, fair to say an issue-filled song. So to the second single ‘Holding Out For More’ is a good single choice, that demonstrates some of the multiple colours of Popes Of Chillitown, one of those songs, that you begin to describe as “If there’s any justice in the world…”. ‘Badman’ closes the debut another set of lyrics that snares the attention, you can even forgive a slight early ragga twang, before the rabble rousing closer really kicks in.

Popes Of Chillitown have captured some of the enticing live show, but have also made certain crowd favourites even more accessible, certain songs are more well rounded, as you’d imagine. If you like Ska, 2tone, even reggae lovers will find worth in this 11 song long player, the Popes have won the day, never losing sight of why they start the band in the first place – to make people move their feet and throw their fists in the air. ‘A Word To The Wise’ is accomplished bow, entertaining, positive and healthy, especially if you like to dance. 8.8/10

For fans of Sonic Boom Six, Manu Chao, The Selecter, Sublime, Bad Manners.