ICEAGE - Plowing Into The Field Of Love

Yes, the Nick Cave and Gun Club comparisons are more than apt on this third record by the Danish punks whose instrumental and formal experimentation gets slightly less bounded here, but equally worthy of mention is the influence of The Pogues on tracks like the raucous, mandolin-laced stumble-boogie "Abundant Living." If you're looking for something sullen (and just a touch goofy, in a borderline goth way) to swoon and sulk to, Plowing... might be what you're after—as with any bad-boy dalliance, though, just be careful not to get too close.

"Iceage's angular guitars still manage to sit well alongside piano hits and jabbing violins; it's interesting to hear a little country shuffle on 'The Lord's Favourite' followed by the unnerving poundings of 'Cimmerian Shade,' but it's vocalist Elias Bender that binds it all together. His utterings invoke an image of a frontman giving it his all whilst squirming upon a beer-soaked stage floor. But beneath the growls are still some finely poetic lyrics, something that doesn't register upon first listen, but with more attention one realises there's some clever and arresting wordplay involved. Anyone feeling that post-punk has been revitalised one too many times may find it a bash to the ears but the racket grows on you, and the smarts and heart beneath the dissonance become apparent with every press of the play button." - Under The Radar