Although quite poppish, SERIOUS DRINKING may have their finest moment on vinyl with “Country Girl Becomes Sex and Drugs Punk,” a hilarious novelty track with humorous lyrics and pre-eminently catchy instrumentals to boot. The B-side recalls SERIOUS DRINKING in their more rowdy, inebriated state, although the song isn’t as memorable. An enjoyable, upbeat record.
Although this here album resides spiritually in the glorious British funnypunk tradition (which includes such diverse luminaries as the ALBERTOS, JILTED JOHN, the TV PERSONALITIES, JOHN COOPER CLARKE, the NOTSENSIBLES, the GONADS, JOHNNY MOPED, etc.), it’s more in the goofy ska vein from a musical standpoint. There’s too little raucous punkish stuff to appeal to the bash brigade, but anyone with a bemused sense of the ironic should enjoy SERIOUS DRINKING’s understated English wit.
Like their first 7″, this new SERIOUS DRINKING release contains a mixture of cool sing-along funnypunk (the title song) and silly quasi-ska ditties. The former is what makes this a worthwhile investment. Eye-catching cover, too.
The A-side sounds too much like IAN DREARY to me, but the three cuts on the flip are great funnypunk, combining Oi with some innovative vocal and guitar interruptions.
