IN REVIEW
THE CASBAHS
PEASANTS OF THE SHOW
Durham's finest, The Casbahs, have made a triumphant return with the release of their sophomore album Peasants of the Show. The album has been a long time coming, with the debut album Been Here Before dropping back in 2022. They say that good things come to those who wait, and that is certainly true in this case.
The lads have stayed true to their North East roots, recording the album at The Garage Studios in South Shields. Carrying on the northern tradition of creating damn good music, The Casbahs have honed their own unique sound and crafted it into a stunning collection of songs for your listening pleasure.
Kicking off with Crossfire, they don't waste any time showing off their fancy guitar riffery and their ability to write a catchy tune. The hook is very singable, and I reckon it will fast become a fan favourite.
There is no messing around here, with the second track, Electric Daydreams, carrying on that infectious energy. With a very nostalgic 90s vibe that is very prevalent in the first two songs, The Casbahs switch things up a bit as they blast out I Wanna Be Rich, which has a very up to date feel that's reminiscent of Sea Girls at times. A cracking track.
The lads have stayed true to their North East roots, recording the album at The Garage Studios in South Shields. Carrying on the northern tradition of creating damn good music, The Casbahs have honed their own unique sound and crafted it into a stunning collection of songs for your listening pleasure.
Kicking off with Crossfire, they don't waste any time showing off their fancy guitar riffery and their ability to write a catchy tune. The hook is very singable, and I reckon it will fast become a fan favourite.
There is no messing around here, with the second track, Electric Daydreams, carrying on that infectious energy. With a very nostalgic 90s vibe that is very prevalent in the first two songs, The Casbahs switch things up a bit as they blast out I Wanna Be Rich, which has a very up to date feel that's reminiscent of Sea Girls at times. A cracking track.
There is a lot to like here. Different Way Home has a very moody feel to it. Just like the rest of the album, it is very sing-along friendly. The lyrics are very emotive, and that is matched by a brief but stunning guitar solo that adds something unexpected but very welcome to the song.
Whether it's the bluesy guitars of Northern Skies and the bass-heavy intro to Free Will, or the fresh-feeling, bright tones of Ghosts In The Dust and chilled-out vibes of Speak Before I Think, Peasants of the Show has so many layers to it. A testament to the band's songwriting skills. What it lacks in length, at 34 minutes long, it definitely makes up for with style.
The lads finish off with The Game, the stripped back instrumentals and the harmonica create an atmosphere that feels a lot like sitting around a campfire as the band plays and the stars shine overhead. It leaves a very comforting feeling that lingers for a canny while after the album is over.
This is a belter of a record that deserves to be heard. I'll be honest, I went back and hit replay on I Wanna Be Rich a few times, and now it is stuck in my head. Not a bad thing, but just be careful how you listen to Peasants of the Show, as there is earworm after earworm just waiting for you to push play.
Whether it's the bluesy guitars of Northern Skies and the bass-heavy intro to Free Will, or the fresh-feeling, bright tones of Ghosts In The Dust and chilled-out vibes of Speak Before I Think, Peasants of the Show has so many layers to it. A testament to the band's songwriting skills. What it lacks in length, at 34 minutes long, it definitely makes up for with style.
The lads finish off with The Game, the stripped back instrumentals and the harmonica create an atmosphere that feels a lot like sitting around a campfire as the band plays and the stars shine overhead. It leaves a very comforting feeling that lingers for a canny while after the album is over.
This is a belter of a record that deserves to be heard. I'll be honest, I went back and hit replay on I Wanna Be Rich a few times, and now it is stuck in my head. Not a bad thing, but just be careful how you listen to Peasants of the Show, as there is earworm after earworm just waiting for you to push play.