Rat Cage Not Asking For Much LP
It seems appropriate that Not Asking For Much, the new RAT CAGE LP, marks ten years of stellar hardcore punk from mastermind Bry Suddaby. Across multiple compilations, splits, EPs, and LPs, RAT CAGE has always retained their core influences while expanding on their sound, and while I’d have probably said the same about their 2023 LP Savage Visions, this new record really feels like the band has leveled up and evolved into its most fully realized form. Between the ringing guitars on the opening notes of “Steady On Now” and the final shout-along finale of “Not Asking For Much” is a journey that twists and turns with USHC speed, Scandi-punk stomp, and British gruffness, especially in the lyrics department, which remains laser-focused on the increasingly difficult experience of living in the West. Every little touch sounds intentionally placed and perfectly executed, with big, beefy production providing the space for Bry’s vocals to be front and center throughout the proceedings. Each track has at least one if not multiple elements that stand out, but the vital urgency of “Marble Bench,” the anthemic (and acoustic) moments of “Grass is Greener,” the snotty call-and-response sing-along in “Dragged Through the Dirt,” and the excellent drum pattern shift in “Spiders in a Jar” are a few that stood out to me on first listen. I could go on for days, and by all means, hit me up to further discuss this masterclass of an album. In the meantime, here’s the TL;DR: throughout its 22-minute runtime, RAT CAGE delivers an explosive collection of tunes that are absolutely monumental, sounding more dynamic and inspired than ever. Essential listening.