Autonomy - Table Scraps: Album review

Garage punk isn't dead. Table Scraps have proved this point with their upcoming album, Autonomy. The record is set to be released on 23rd February via Zen Ten and I recently got the chance to have a listen to it. 

Firstly, a bit of background. Table Scraps are Scott Vincent Abbott (Guitar & Vocals), Poppy Twist (Drums & Vocals) and TJ (Bass & Vocals). According to their Bandcamp page, the Birmingham-based trio produce 'raw, dark, fuzzed out garage rock'.

Table Scraps - Photo Credit Meg Lavender

The group produce all their tracks in-house and have so far released a range of 7” singles and a LP. Autonomy was recorded in a 'very un-soundproofed' breeze block 5x5m room, which is something that certainly transcends throughout the album.

From a first listen to the album, it's clear that Table Scraps are angry. The subject of their anger is more elusive than other punk bands however, who perhaps channel their anger into politically charged lyrics. With Autonomy, the group stick to a simple set of chords combined with interesting synth effects. Lyrics are often relatively simplistic (see 'Sick of Me'), but this doesn't take away from the overall sound.

The album is made up of ten songs. With most clocking in at under the three minute mark, the result is an angsty, addictive whirlwind.

Autonomy album cover

The opening track, 'Sick of Me', was premiered back in November. The lyrics 'Are you sick, sick, sick, sick of me?' get stuck in your head pretty quickly. Of the song, Scott Vincent Abbott said: "Sick of Me is about when friendships stagnate and minor annoyance gives way to mouldering resentment. It’s dedicated to everyone just about keeping a lid on telling that one person how you really feel and cutting them loose.”

This feeling of 'just about keeping a lid on it' reflects how I feel about the album as a whole. I'd have liked to see the group completely lose control in one of the tracks. Maybe they are just calmer than me (which is commendable).

As the album races on, 'I'm a Failure' impresses with its self-deprecating lyrics. Following on, both the vocals and bass in 'Taking Out The Trash' remind me of The Black Keys. There's something about the drawn out, slightly nasal singing style which is both familiar and appealing.

Mid-album, Table Scraps take a supernatural turn. A ghostly guitar riff punctuates 'My Obsession', and then spooky synths galore make 'Frankenstein' a personal favourite.

As the final track, Do It All Over Again, fades out, you find yourself automatically wanting to play the record again. Autonomy is a fun album. It is experimental enough to win over new fans, while also sticking closely to the group's influences. The result is very hard to forget.

Interested in Table Scraps? They'll be touring the UK in February/March time:

23rd February - Foodhall, Sheffield
27th February  - Hope & Ruin, Brighton
28th February - Shacklewell Arms, London

1st March - 60MPC, Bournemouth
2nd March - Hare & Hounds, Birmingham
3rd March - Old England, Bristol

Frustratingly, I already have a gig booked for 28th February (The Front Bottoms, if you're interested), so won't be able to attend the London show. Something tells me this isn't the last we'll be seeing of Table Scraps, however.

Listen to 'Sick of Me' on Soundcloud here.

Album review: Autobahn - The Moral Crossing

Leeds based quintet Autobahn released their second LP on 3rd November. Short but perfectly formed, The Moral Crossing takes the listener on an angry post-punk journey.

Bought from Drift record shop, Totnes

With cheerily named tracks such as 'Obituary' and 'Torment', the band are a perfect soundtrack for the disillusioned youth (or simply population) of today.

The first track, 'Prologue', sets the scene with angry guitar riffs, but it is only in 'Obituary' that we get the first taste of Craig Johnson's vocals. 'Take it from me, you'll all be forgotten / So I sacrifice myself'. A haunting chant ensues. Welcome to Autobahn's second album.

As the record develops, you find yourself noticing influences ranging from Joy Division (with 'Future' and the title track) to Animal Collective.

A particular favourite song would be 'Torment' with its female-spoken French lyrics and immersive, almost choral supporting noises. The song doesn't get quite as intense as the others, so provides a brief moment of respite.

'Execution/Rise' is certainly intense, however. With a duration of 3:43, it is one of the shorter tracks, but its repetitive chorus works you up into a trance-like state.

While the album does remind the listener of other artists, this is certainly not a negative point. For a band with just two albums under their belt to be likened to heavy weights such as Joy Division and The Cure, they must be doing something right.

Listen to the album on Bandcamp here.