Album Review: Grade 2

Album Review: Grade 2 – Grade 2
Reviewed by Dan Barnes

Being cited by Vive Le Rock magazine as one of 2023’s Punk Bands to Watch – alongside the equally excellent Bar Stool Preachers and Vanity Rose, to name but two – might be something of a heavy expectation to some; but, for Isle of Wight trio, Grade 2, it’s all taken in stride, as they have already found favour with a certain Messrs Frederiksen and Armstrong of Rancid when it comes to production duties.

Steady releases arrived on Conrta Records up to 2017 before a switch to Tim Armstrong’s Hellcat label for the caustic Graveyard Island in 2019 and, among other things, an opening slot on the Dropkick Murphys’ tour that year.

Pandemic/ enforced lay-off/ blah, blah… brings us up to speed and ready for the release of Grade 2’s latest – and self-titled - album. And, to be honest, if this album doesn’t catapult the band into the big leagues then we all should probably pack up and go home.

Bruce Turnbull of Vive Le Rock coins the label “neo-Oi!” (page 56) to describe Grade 2’s unconventional approach to the genre on this new record. There’s still the moments of sheer boot-boy joy, when the trio let rip and provide a soundtrack to destruction. Short, sharp and snappy streetpunk anthems like Gaslight, Doing Time and Bottom Shelf all stand their ground against other, dare I say, more polished compositions. Parasite sees the band at its most aggy, complete with a gang vocal, this is a track destined to be accompanied by the sound of stomping DMs.

The old school Punk approach is apparent on the likes of Doesn’t Matter Much Now, Midnight Ferry and Don’t Stand Alone, all built on the foundations of hook-laden riffs and singalong lyrics. That cheeky Oi! spirit is alive and well Streetrat Scallywag and Brassic, reminding us exactly where Grade 2’s hearts lie.

Mr Turnbull’s coining of the phrase “neo-Oi!” is linked to the cross-pollination of the band’s sound. Equal parts Angelic Upstarts and Rancid, Grade 2’s association with the Californians has added an extra string to their bow, meaning the aggrieved attitude of the early records has now been blended to form a new and exciting sound.

Opener Judgement Day lands with a fat bass and ripping guitar lines, showing a direct approach but a distinctly West Coast streak. Fast Pace arrives with a choppy progression and the crisp, clean sound of the sumptuous construction across the whole of the record. Polished songs like It’s a Mad World, Baby and Celine profit from this pin-point production, Under the Streetlight is big and bombastic, whereas See You Around gives itself over to a distinctly US grounding.

The razor-sharp production allows you to hear every one of Jacob Hull’s drum hits and Jack Chatfield’s guitar, while Sid Ryan’s basslines sits like rebar, holding it all together.

Going into the tenth year, Grade 2 would seem to have the world at their feet. A killer new record, a headlining UK tour and a trek with Rancid and The Bronx to look forward to before the nights start drawing in. 2023 looks like being their year and I’ll be shocked – shocked, I say – if this doesn’t feature on my Best of… list come December.