JOHNNY PANIC 'The Good Fight' Johnny Panic are a pop-punk quartet from London (formed 2002) drawing inspiration from 50 years of rock'n'roll Buzzcocks, Clash, Guns'n'Roses, early American punk scene (Nerves/Blondie/Ramones) then by way of 60s having covered The Turtles' fabulous 'Happy Together'....with also Hard Fi & The Coral thrown in for good measure. Vocalist Rob Solly is a martial arts expert and this energy & combativeness spirit seems to spring forth - aided in part by one hell of a guitarist both in speed & melody in Matt James. Opener 'Heroes Of Villains' delivers the first blow and what catchy choruses on both 'The Rebel' & 'The Third Degree'. 5th the anthemic 'A World Away' with a beautiful refrain "I just can't figure it out" is the prize & strongest slice here. Next the gentle but also anthemic 'This Time' demonstrates lyrically that they are also up to it amazing number actually. Onto 9th track 'Gone' which sonically sizzles ala Stooges with this high continuing on over the last 4 tracks finishing with the aptly titled 'The End Is Near'. Vocally & instrumentally (and having also discovered the button of good melody) then this album proved a knockout - a really wonderful surprise and one which should also appeal to a wide audience. Good for summer fun beach parties as well. (9) Ron Cooper, Zabadak fanzine
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