Mint Chicks, The - Crazy? Yes! Dumb? No! (Album)

When I think about it logically, I know I shouldn’t be so in love with this album. I mean, it’s just like the Buzzcocks were from New Zealand and maybe they listened to People Are a Waste of Time a lot and recorded an album. Actually, that looks much better in print than in my head, so maybe it’s okay for me to be so in love with this album.

Regardless of whether or not it’s okay, the fact remains that I’m completely smitten. I think I was too young and stupid to appreciate Anti-Tiger as much as I should’ve, with all its frenetic riffs and compulsive timing. Then came 2005’s F**k the Golden Youth, which was widely criticized for its production and inconsistent song quality and at the same time was lauded for its balls and obvious promise. I wasn’t all too moved by either camp.

But then came along Crazy? Yes! Dumb? No!. This album is pop music for people who fucking hate pop music, one of those rare albums where the term ‘maturing sound’ is not used as an insult. The Chicks have strangled the intense spasms of their earlier outings and held them in until they’ve taken on a form the whole family can enjoy. Vocalist Kody has either had outlook-changing prophetic dreams or shock treatments, because the voice we’re treated to on this outing is almost unrecognizable. He actually croons, and somehow it’s amazing.

Opener 'Ockham’s Razor' sets the tone of the album, which is lurching dirty poppy fun. Real Friends is a real charmer, a straight-up little pop-punk number featuring the chorus “I just thought I’d call and tell you, I’m not taking sides on this one”. Conversely,'Ammie' stabs lazily along in despair. Fuck, that made me sound like such a wanker.

As is usually the case with the Chicks, the title track is the stand-out. Though it’s more tempered than the rest of the album - which I’m sure will lead to some of you claiming it’s boring - when I listen to this song, it makes perfect sense for me and my ex to get back together, so strong is the sense of regret and yearning.

Poignance in punk rock is a scary beast, and so are the Mint Chicks.

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