Following a couple of 7” releases, including a split with the exceptional Empire Down, the Bay Area punk rock quartet The Complicators finally deliver this debut album that was delayed by the pandemic. As expected, it’s packed with full throttle, anthemic working class punk that addresses the rising cost of living and the unnecessary fingering pointing at immigrants, and even has some tunes about the importance of a positive mental attitude.
The thick guitar of the pounding “Pressure” gets the affair started with a hard-hitting but still melodic opener that makes good use of Quincy Atkinson’s barking vocals. “KYHU” continues the intensity with the bassist Sean Smith’s finger acrobatics alongside the shouted chorus, and “Blink Of An Eye” balances power and tunefulness with a gruff presence that benefits a whole lot from Matt Garcia’s razor-sharp guitar.
Landing in the middle, the gang vocals and bouncy bass lines of “Another Round” are suited for both the mosh pit and the dance floor, while “Working Man” is particularly raw but still invites a sing-along thanks to the infectious rhythm section. “American Shame,” another really gritty tune, then showcases Cameron Wallace’s fluid and sturdy drumming that complements the throaty singing.
My two favorite tracks bookend the listen, where “Time Has Come” recruits some classic hardcore ideas, but not without a harmonic aspect, too, and “Street Diamonds” finishes with a furious energy that brings to mind the almighty Econochrist.
Similarities to Blitz, Bishops Green, Have Heart and the large amount of street punk stars from the Pirates Press roster aren’t hard to spot here. A band that actually had a record deal before they had a name, The Complicators keep the time-honored tradition of relevant and impactful punk from San Francisco alive.
