Album Review: It'll Be Fiiine by BaldHead And The Dreads

BaldHead And The Dreads are a band you will definitely be familiar with if you've ever attended a ska punk show at the New Cross Inn in South East London. The four piece is comprised of four pals who regularly attend shows at the venue and decided to start their own band. Playing their own unique brand of ska punk that they have dubbed "Paul Smith-Core" after the NXI promoter, the band have steadily built up a fan base with their catchy songs and hilarious stage banter. Plus songs about dogs, lots of songs about dogs. Exactly a year after their first show, the band have released their first EP titled It'll Be Fiiine. This was an EP I was excited and curious about in equal measure.

The opening song is one that the band released a video for earlier in the year. Titled Dealer Time, the track is about the frustration of constantly having to wait for your dealer because they're late. Beginning with some bouncy ska upstrokes and some keyboard, bass player Ell takes lead vocals on the song. His rough, raspy vocals do a great job of showcasing his frustration. They also have that great everyman quality that I always adore. Like all of their tracks, this is super catchy and it won't be long until they have you singing along. Up next is London. I remember the first time I heard this song live and remember falling in love with it immediately. Keyboard player Michael takes on lead vocals on this occasion and the band deliver a much poppier effort. It's not all pop though as guitarist James adds his own vocals and the band get all skacore for a moment before reverting the pop loveliness. London is about the frustration of trying to get around the city but loving it anyway because it contains so many magical treats for you.

Be Sharp Bop is up next, you may have heard it if you happened to check out our fifth birthday compilation earlier in the year. It's a love song directed at the aforementioned Paul Smith and how much they adore Be Sharp Promotions. Ell sings about all the reasons he loves Paul. Lyrically it's hilarious and always goes down a treat at New Cross Inn shows. Like the song says, this is Paul’s favourite song and he especially loves to crowd surf to it. Next time you see BaldHead at New Cross you know what to do. The fourth song is probably the catchiest song I've heard all year. Titled Quit Your Job, Get A Job, James sings about – you guessed it – quitting your job and getting a dog. No hidden meanings in these titles. This mid-tempo track, which features the fantastic addition of a harmonica (more ska bands need harmonica), is an absolute smile maker. It's one of those songs that you listen to and will instantly make you start smiling, whilst singing along to it (including the barking). The final song is a remix of Be Sharp Bop by PavelPro which drummer Tommy apparently paid for whilst drunk. Sounds about right for BaldHead And The Dreads.

I think after every BaldHead And The Dreads live set I've seen so far my reaction has been either that has no right to be as good as it was or they keep getting better and better. That is certainly something I could say to this. It'll Be Fiiine is a great showcase of what I think the band are all about; being fun, being ridiculous but also being very, very good.

Stream and download It'll Be Fiiine here:
https://baldheadandthedreads.bandcamp.com/album/itll-be-fiiine

Like BaldHead And The Dreads here:
https://www.facebook.com/BaldHeadAndTheDreads/

This review was written by Colin Clark.