Via Victory Records for US distribution, France's Burning Heads bring us the experienced punk ferocity of Escape – their fifth album since 1988. With a sense of class and refinement similar to Greyarea, Burning Heads add the element of 'pissed off' to their speedy, melodic – not pop – rock 'n' roll.
Songs like "S.O.S." and "A Bitter Taste" rail confining social etiquette, and spew generational angst. "Who Wants to Know" decries nationalism as just another form of racism, giving rare and needed insight into European attitudes. "Fine" defies social malaise and disenfranchisement by championing self-control over one's outlook and attitude – "From now on I will decide / I'll be looking on the bright side … No matter what they say / No matter what they do … Today I'm taking control."
Musically and lyrically, this is a great example of what punk rock can still be when it believes in itself and something beyond itself. Odd that the French are the ones reminding us…or is it? Yeah, it is. Who knew Frogs had soul.
