Album Review: The Self-Titled - Bears & Bulls
Reviewed by Paul Hutchings
A decade into their reformation, Kent based four-piece The Self-Titled’s latest EP ‘Bears and Bulls’ demonstrates why they are a favourite at events such as The Bulldog Bash. Their no-nonsense from the hip heavy rock is sure to be a favourite with those that enjoy beer and bikes. The band comprises vocalist Tom Procter, drummer Paul Brander, guitarist Phillipp Hall and bassist Steve Burwell.
The brash title track opens the EP with Tom Procter giving a bit of hardcore vocals over a backdrop of smashing riffs before the song develops. It’s a raging fiery opening to the track that is immediately in your face, a no-holds barred statement of intent. There’s plenty of melody though, with the clean harmonies on the chorus working well and the song slows into a more measured bluesy workout before concluding in the same style that it started with. ‘Breathe follows’, with a similar gutsy focused approach, Procter giving his best Zach De La Rocha impression as he hip hops his way through the song. A song about not giving up, ‘Breathe’ is another fist pumping anthem.
Onto track three, and by now we’ve established that The Self-Titled are a blend of multiple styles. There is no one band that you could pin as the main influence here. ‘Disintegration’ is a relatively straightforward hard rock song, a song to drive fast to, a pumping rhythm section and a raucous feel which would be difficult not to bounce to in the live arena. Procter’s swaggering delivery contrasting with the style of the first two tracks. Closing song ‘Fear and Loathing’ allows the band to show their mellower side, a smouldering but no less heavy track, Procter veering close to Liam Gallagher in his chorus, probably unintentional!
It’s been a while since the debut album ‘Defaced’ was released, eight years to be precise. It’s evident that the live scene is where these guys will do their best work, but this EP has enough about it to be well worth a punt.
