Healthy Junkies
We were recently contacted about the Healthy Junkies, a London based band who describe their music as rock/punk/grunge/glam……which sounds pretty awesome! Having had their album sent through to us, I figured it only right that I should sit down for a listen and get something posted about it!
Copycat opens exactly as it says on the tin, powerful guitars underpin solid female vocals whilst the drums and bass add further depth to proceedings. The track itself is almost catchy in a way, the progression of the chords leans more towards the punk/grunge side of things and creates a track which is easily accessible and one which you’ll come back to again and again. I really like the way the vocals get layered at different times during this track as well, the combination of different lines creates an almost dark edge, it’s the combination of male and female vocals which do it and do you know what, it works! Throwing a guitar solo in to the mix just to make sure you’re still there and still listening, this track finishes as it begins leaving you with no doubt that this is going to be one hell of an album.
Moving into Sick Kid, everything slows down a notch, this time adopting a solid grunge intro the track sounding almost like Nirvana musically. As the track kicks in properly you’re confronted by pounding drums, solid sludgy guitar lines and pounding bass, the progression almost sounding odd at times but once again creating a track which is easy to listen to and connect with. What I really like on this track is the vocal line, Nina manages to alter her voice between soaring clean lines which sooth you, then achieves gravelly dark tones which really make you sit up and take notice. Manifesto follows on and suddenly everything appears to turn very dark. Opening echoey before kicking into a more pacey section of punky/rocky guitars and solid drums, the bass is kept high in the mix here keeping that dark edge going throughout the track. Layering the vocals once again during the chorus section of the track, this is a track which really stands out for me. Well written, well paced and catchy throughout, this track seems to show off the entire band and suggests some really good things to come – and we’re only on track 3 of 13!
Frozen Fields kicks in at number 4, slower and more rock based than the tracks before, this track harks back to the likes of Bush in its sound, it’s something about the chord progression which gives it that edge. Moving into a more solid almost chase sequence like section, the track adopts a seriously awesome rolling pace to the bass whilst the drums keep everything powering onwards. Continuing to sound dark and almost ominous, this track is another real highlight on the album for me and one which I seriously suggest you get out and check out. Glam Sister soon kicks in at number 5, opening sounding almost like an Offspring track (I’m sorry if that doesn’t fit well with some people but listen to the guitar line on this track then The Kids Aren’t Alright opening….there’s a real similarity there) before moving into a far more rock style. The pace changes on this track between fairly (almost thrash like) fast sections and slowed down sections. The bass is once again kept high in the mix and really acts as a driving force behind everything, the whole combination of elements from the band creates a sound which is quite simply massive, and also really really well produced.
Famous For Being Famous is a pure downright rock track, opening with an almost funky guitar line whilst layered vocals hop around on top of it. Bringing in the drums at a simple yet effective beat, the track soon takes shape and will have you moving – it’s impossible not to. This track is one which I imagine must work really well on the live scene, it’s got the catchy edge which audiences will embrace, move along with and sing along to. Trash My Love is another example of this sort of track, opening bass heavy and basically telling you that you’re going to move along with the beat set out you find yourself pulled into the punky sludgy combination of instruments. This is another track which is more on the punk side of things and following some of the more rock tracks it comes as a real surprise. What it demonstrates though is that these guys can play different music, can adopt different styles and can do it all well – bravo! As if to further compound this, Burn In Hell kicks in back in the rock style, the guitars roving around the necks and creating a funky and catchy sound from the outset. This is another track which will get you moving, get you singing and make you want to hear even more from the band, another track which I highly recommend you check out!
Beaten Dog No More is in at number 9, opening with a distorted guitar line and building into a track which makes you want to strut around the place. What’s really striking here is that the female vocals take up the supporting role here allowing the male vocals to come through adding a further dark edge to the track, almost becoming frantic during the break sections of ‘get up’, there’s no way you can listen to this track without singing along! Moving back in the punky/grungy direction, Little Groupie kicks in telling the tale of a little groupie and her backstage pass. This track is another live scene track, it’s got the perfect guitar and drum combination to get live crowds moving along with the band. Personally, this is one of my favourite tracks from the album as well, it’s got a really catchy edge to it without sounding too main stream or anything like that, it’s got the raw edge to go with it which is refreshing to hear.
Big Dreams Of Tomorrow is number 11 on the album, opening dark once again and building up through pounding drums, haunting vocals and sludgy guitar lines. Continuing along the haunting and echoey approach to the track, this is one which works its way in to your head and stays with you for days to come. Almost disjointed at times, what I really like is the different approaches shown on this track, it shifts between the dark approach and more conventional grunge style stuff, still going strong! Number 12 brings us a cover of the classic 20th Century Boy – a track well worth checking out for sure which demonstrates the bands ability to play well and stamp their own take on a track which everyone knows, it’s a damned good version! Fading out and finishing the album off with Exile though, you find yourself finishing the album on a dark note, the sludgy guitars underpinning a vocal line which moves between smooth and soothing and dark and haunting, the finished product is a track which is catchy and refined, leaving you with no doubt that you’re going to listen to this album over and over again.
I didn’t know what to make of the description Healthy Junkies gave of their music, and to an extent I’m not 100% sure I agree with what they say. Their music is definitely rock, grunge and punk all rolled into one melee of instruments which will hook you in, but I don’t really see the glam side of things here. That said, it’s not needed as what you’ve got here is an album which demonstrates just how able these guys are, just how well they can write tracks and just how awesome music can be when it’s done well! Personally, I’ll be interested to see what happens with these guys as people catch onto this album, personally, I think they’re on a winner and I can’t wait to hear more!
To find out more about the Healthy Junkies, check out their Facebook page HERE.
Copycat opens exactly as it says on the tin, powerful guitars underpin solid female vocals whilst the drums and bass add further depth to proceedings. The track itself is almost catchy in a way, the progression of the chords leans more towards the punk/grunge side of things and creates a track which is easily accessible and one which you’ll come back to again and again. I really like the way the vocals get layered at different times during this track as well, the combination of different lines creates an almost dark edge, it’s the combination of male and female vocals which do it and do you know what, it works! Throwing a guitar solo in to the mix just to make sure you’re still there and still listening, this track finishes as it begins leaving you with no doubt that this is going to be one hell of an album.
Moving into Sick Kid, everything slows down a notch, this time adopting a solid grunge intro the track sounding almost like Nirvana musically. As the track kicks in properly you’re confronted by pounding drums, solid sludgy guitar lines and pounding bass, the progression almost sounding odd at times but once again creating a track which is easy to listen to and connect with. What I really like on this track is the vocal line, Nina manages to alter her voice between soaring clean lines which sooth you, then achieves gravelly dark tones which really make you sit up and take notice. Manifesto follows on and suddenly everything appears to turn very dark. Opening echoey before kicking into a more pacey section of punky/rocky guitars and solid drums, the bass is kept high in the mix here keeping that dark edge going throughout the track. Layering the vocals once again during the chorus section of the track, this is a track which really stands out for me. Well written, well paced and catchy throughout, this track seems to show off the entire band and suggests some really good things to come – and we’re only on track 3 of 13!
Frozen Fields kicks in at number 4, slower and more rock based than the tracks before, this track harks back to the likes of Bush in its sound, it’s something about the chord progression which gives it that edge. Moving into a more solid almost chase sequence like section, the track adopts a seriously awesome rolling pace to the bass whilst the drums keep everything powering onwards. Continuing to sound dark and almost ominous, this track is another real highlight on the album for me and one which I seriously suggest you get out and check out. Glam Sister soon kicks in at number 5, opening sounding almost like an Offspring track (I’m sorry if that doesn’t fit well with some people but listen to the guitar line on this track then The Kids Aren’t Alright opening….there’s a real similarity there) before moving into a far more rock style. The pace changes on this track between fairly (almost thrash like) fast sections and slowed down sections. The bass is once again kept high in the mix and really acts as a driving force behind everything, the whole combination of elements from the band creates a sound which is quite simply massive, and also really really well produced.
Famous For Being Famous is a pure downright rock track, opening with an almost funky guitar line whilst layered vocals hop around on top of it. Bringing in the drums at a simple yet effective beat, the track soon takes shape and will have you moving – it’s impossible not to. This track is one which I imagine must work really well on the live scene, it’s got the catchy edge which audiences will embrace, move along with and sing along to. Trash My Love is another example of this sort of track, opening bass heavy and basically telling you that you’re going to move along with the beat set out you find yourself pulled into the punky sludgy combination of instruments. This is another track which is more on the punk side of things and following some of the more rock tracks it comes as a real surprise. What it demonstrates though is that these guys can play different music, can adopt different styles and can do it all well – bravo! As if to further compound this, Burn In Hell kicks in back in the rock style, the guitars roving around the necks and creating a funky and catchy sound from the outset. This is another track which will get you moving, get you singing and make you want to hear even more from the band, another track which I highly recommend you check out!
Beaten Dog No More is in at number 9, opening with a distorted guitar line and building into a track which makes you want to strut around the place. What’s really striking here is that the female vocals take up the supporting role here allowing the male vocals to come through adding a further dark edge to the track, almost becoming frantic during the break sections of ‘get up’, there’s no way you can listen to this track without singing along! Moving back in the punky/grungy direction, Little Groupie kicks in telling the tale of a little groupie and her backstage pass. This track is another live scene track, it’s got the perfect guitar and drum combination to get live crowds moving along with the band. Personally, this is one of my favourite tracks from the album as well, it’s got a really catchy edge to it without sounding too main stream or anything like that, it’s got the raw edge to go with it which is refreshing to hear.
Big Dreams Of Tomorrow is number 11 on the album, opening dark once again and building up through pounding drums, haunting vocals and sludgy guitar lines. Continuing along the haunting and echoey approach to the track, this is one which works its way in to your head and stays with you for days to come. Almost disjointed at times, what I really like is the different approaches shown on this track, it shifts between the dark approach and more conventional grunge style stuff, still going strong! Number 12 brings us a cover of the classic 20th Century Boy – a track well worth checking out for sure which demonstrates the bands ability to play well and stamp their own take on a track which everyone knows, it’s a damned good version! Fading out and finishing the album off with Exile though, you find yourself finishing the album on a dark note, the sludgy guitars underpinning a vocal line which moves between smooth and soothing and dark and haunting, the finished product is a track which is catchy and refined, leaving you with no doubt that you’re going to listen to this album over and over again.
I didn’t know what to make of the description Healthy Junkies gave of their music, and to an extent I’m not 100% sure I agree with what they say. Their music is definitely rock, grunge and punk all rolled into one melee of instruments which will hook you in, but I don’t really see the glam side of things here. That said, it’s not needed as what you’ve got here is an album which demonstrates just how able these guys are, just how well they can write tracks and just how awesome music can be when it’s done well! Personally, I’ll be interested to see what happens with these guys as people catch onto this album, personally, I think they’re on a winner and I can’t wait to hear more!
To find out more about the Healthy Junkies, check out their Facebook page HERE.