Album Review: Bateman - 'SMUT'

In our endless pursuit to characterise and perhaps confine music into specific styles and genres, Melbourne’s Bateman are elusive. Despite there being more sub-genres than bands today, the locals are still hard to define… and that’s a damn good thing because it makes debut album ‘SMUT’ all the more appealing.

While the boundaries are widespread, the overall execution is quite defined. ‘SMUT’ might enter the 2014 album pile with limited fuss; the result however is far from quiet. This 10-track offering is solid, energetic and entertaining.

Think Every Time I Die mixed with the eccentric musical mannerisms of Gay Paris and you have a loose basis to view this album. Southern riffs, hardcore pacing, contrasting vocals, all mixed with something slightly off kilter, Bateman tick the boxes.

‘Red Wine Blues’ is immediately inviting. “Break out the champagne, break out the wine.” Upbeat and determined, it’s a party vibe in aural form. If heavy music can be viewed as either sombre or buoyant, ‘SMUT’ fits neatly into the latter. Giving off a fun persona as it transitions quickly into ‘Temper Temper’, first impressions are lasting.

The title track breaks things up. However, this full-length is largely built and supported by its intensity. ‘Jabroni’, ‘Cheers’ and ‘4UDaFanz’ are all crafted with a live mentality in mind – songs that carry effortlessly from the studio to the stage.

Gaz Williams’ vocal phrasing might take a moment to get used to from a purely listening manner, but the individual delivery offers a welcome point of different from the standard and unvaried guttural/screeching styles of similar frontmen.

There are some bands that are grossly overrated and receiving more coverage than their generic sensibilities warrant. Thankfully, Bateman are as far removed as possible for the current ‘-core suffix’ garbage. ‘SMUT’ might just be apt. This is unashamed and deliberate.

‘SMUT’ is simply a good time. Grab a beer, press play and enjoy the reception. As the band’s Facebook genre description wisely states, “pure awesome”.

1. LHATSA

2. Red Wine Blues

3. Temper Temper

4. Smut

5. Jabroni

6. Cheers

7. QWERTY Guy

8. 4UDaFanz

9. Papa Merciless

10. The Cheap Seats