‘Mean Girl’ is an interesting new release of music from the hit 80’s Oi band that is The Business. This is a strange one in that three of the tracks included here are new, whilst the remaining five are live tracks that were actually recorded at The Marquee back in 1982. Although a bizarre mix of old and new, ‘Mean Girl’ works incredibly well as an eight track recording of Oi punk excellence. The EP has been released through Bad Dog Records and I personally find this to be a greatly enjoyable offering of music; the EP has its flaws but still ‘Mean Girl’ should provide for a greatly enjoyable listening experience for all those that hear it.
‘Mean Girl’ is fittingly the track that begins this release, one of the new songs and a fine display of punk rock it is from the band too. The vocals are excellent, musically this band is as hard hitting as ever, and all in all this is an absolutely fantastic way to begin this release. ‘Mean Girl’ really sets the mood well for the rest of this release and the music of The Business certainly does not here disappoint. ‘Till The End’ continues the trend of new music from this release and is a second stunning track. It’s a powerful track and once more the fine sound of the band is put across incredibly well. It’s not the strongest track you’ll ever hear but a fine offering of music from The Business nonetheless and one that I personally am quite fond of. The lyrics are powerful but musically the track is not so great, it’s not a bad track from The Business but certainly not one of the bands best.
‘1-2-3’ is the final track of new music from this release and is I feel the best of the three that are on display here. The music is energetic and lively, the vocals are put across incredibly well and there’s an extremely high level of energy running through the track. From start to finish this track is jam packed full of excitement, an excellent slice of Oi and an impressive way to cap off the new music of this release. This track I would say is up there alongside the best tracks that this band has ever recorded, it truly is that excellent and long time fans of The Business will surely not be disappointed with what they hear here.
All five of the live tracks here are well put across by the band and as ever the sound produced by the band here is absolutely electric. Included here are live recordings of ‘Loud Proud ‘n Punk’, ‘Blind Justice’, ‘Suburban Rebels’, ‘Harry May’, and ‘Smash The Discos’ also. Although the sound quality for these live tracks isn’t great, their inclusion on this release is absolutely brilliant I feel. Although it’s odd that this release should comprise of three new recordings and five live tracks, the fact is that a recorded bootleg was recently unearthed of the gig at The Marquee and it’s therefore entirely understandable that the band wished to put the music out there for all fans to hear. These five tracks portray the live sound of this band more than twenty five years ago and the music here certainly does not disappoint. The live music contains all the energy and vigour that you would expect of this band and more, the live recordings certainly do not disappoint and as the release reaches its end with ‘Smash The Discos’ always this EP has been highly impressive.
The Business is an excellent Oi band, and with this ‘Mean Girl’ release the band showcases a fine melodic sound of new as well as a supreme spattering of live recordings of old. For fans of The Business I would suggest that ‘Mean Girl’ is an EP that you must seek to get hold of’; the music will surely not disappoint as always this release is full of energy and not for a moment does this fine band disappoint here. ‘Mean Girl’ contains exciting music from start to finish, eight tracks are included here and I personally believe that this EP is one that is well worth investing in. If you are, or in fact ever were a fan of the Oi punk genre then I would thoroughly suggest giving this a listen; the new music is an interesting display of where The Business is at now as a band, whilst the live recordings from 1982 showcase sublimely just where this band was 25 years ago. Add this to your collection, relax, and let the fine Oi punk music of The Business enter you aurally; you’ll surely not be disappointed with what you find here.
Label: Bad Dog Records
Release Date: 21st April 2008
Rating:
UK based film graduate with a huge passion for music, sports and video games.