Every now and then an album comes along that just smacks you in the face from the first listen, in the best possible way. “In The Red” by The Prize is exactly that kind of record. I’d put it in the same first-listen impact zone as Johnny Thunders and the Heartbreakers’ L.A.M.F., AC/DC’s Back In Black (or anything with Bon Scott on it), Nirvana’s Nevermind, or Rocket From The Crypt’s Circa: Now! And before you think I’m stuck in the past, there are some more recent albums that also fit this “instant classic” category, like Redd Kross’ Researching The Blues and Death By Unga Bunga’s Heavy Male Insecurity.
The Prize’s In The Red is the latest one.
The Prize are from Melbourne, which always has always had an amazing music community, especially of late. If you need some band comparisons, I’d say the Buzzcocks meets Cheap Trick. Catchy punk rock with some power-pop, played hard, fast, and aggressively. Everything about this album is just done right: the production, the mix, the sound, and most importantly, the songs. The order of the songs. The guitar solos (they got THREE guitarists). The vocals (they have at least two lead singers). I can’t come up with one complaint, or one fault. Not even a minor one.
This is a perfect release. One of those albums you can just hear over and over and over again. It’s pretty much a safe bet that in a year where there’s been a fantastic influx of incredible new music (I have over 30 albums that are contenders for my Top 10 this year so far), this will be at the top not only for the year, but the decade.
Get this album. You won’t be disappointed. Highest rating.
