Album Review: Polish Club's 'Alright Already' LP

2017
14 songs
Length: 38:56
Available to buy on CD or Vinyl

‘Alright Already’ is the debut album from Polish Club; a two-piece rock band from Sydney. With David Novak on guitar and lead vocals, and John-Henry Palak on the drums; their brand of brash and bluesy rock and roll is upbeat, infectious and smacks of good times.

I must admit, I’ve been a big fan of Polish Club ever since I stumbled upon their self-titled EP last year. Released in October 2015, the EP has a real dirty blues rock feel, and Novak’s gutsy voice is soulful and tinged with a sense of urgency. ‘Alright Already’ contains two tracks from the EP, ‘Able’ and ‘Beeping’. As a side note, I would really, REALLY love to see the EP released on vinyl. My favourite song, 'Don't Fuck Me Over,' doesn't make it onto the LP and I know it would sound sooooo nice on vinyl.

‘Alright Already’ starts strong, with the up-tempo ‘Where U Been?’ Crunching guitar and crashing cymbals permeate throughout this track getting you pumped up straight off the bat. This segues nicely into the second track, ‘Come Party,’ the second single off the album. ‘Come Party’ is less bluesy and more straight rock and roll with a steady, toe tapping drum beat. This song feels like the band’s most commercial offering, a catchy power pop tune with mass appeal. The album is littered with power pop gems though, including the delightfully melodic ‘Beat Up,’ super fun ‘Shark Attack!’ and ‘Whatchuknow’ which boasts a 1970's 'Beach Boys-ish' hook.

Polish Club get really soulful too. ‘How To Be Alone,’ couples Novak’s impassioned vocals with that 1970's pop sound again, while ‘Able,’ is similarly stirring; encompassing blues rock drums, and gut wrenching vocals into a slow burn crescendo that packs a powerful punch. ‘If It Was Me,’ begins as a perfect blend of a slowed down, heavy rock sound with thrusting vocals. But then the tempo picks up towards the end, exploding in a power pop finale.

‘Alright Already’ showcases the great versatility that Polish Club are capable of. ‘Divided’ is the album’s only power ballad and is beautifully executed, using reverb to great effect. The band go for a country blues sound on ‘My Delight’ with hand claps and crooning backing vocals. Finally they wrap things up with a nod to the Polish in the form of a polka version of ‘Red River Rock,’ a folk standard that became a top ten hit in 1959 after it was recorded by Johnny and the Hurricanes as a rock and roll instrumental.

All in all, this is a very solid and exciting debut from Polish Club. Energetic, loud and fun; it’s a feel good record everyone can get down to! I can feel it in my bones; these guys are destined for great things, and I for one am going to follow them every step of the way.