LP reviewed in Sounds, 10th April, 1982
UK SUBS ‘Endangered Species’ (NEMS NEL 6021)*** THE LAST time I passed comment on the UK Subs was way back in 1979. Since then we’ve weathered the changes from Orange Juice to Ozzy to Oi!, so where exactly do the Subs fit in these days?
Are they the ultimate cult survivors, a permanent feature in the hearts of the (punk) rock fraternity? Or are they more important than that, one of the not-so-many ’77 anarchist organisations to last the course?
In an ideal world, ‘Endangered Species’ should provide the answer. Unfortunately, the Subs’ fourth studio album doesn’t herald any more clues than the average punky metal platter. It certainly doesn’t let loose with much anarchy!
In fact, for all the band’s admirable efforts in actual songwriting and production, guitarist Nicky Garratt being in adept charge of the latter, ‘Endangered Species’ is really rather . . . ordinary.
UK Subs | Endangered Species | (NEMS) 1982
It starts off lively enough. The title track ‘Endangered Species’ is just the type of partially poppy, power chord driven attack that has often raised the Subs above the murkier side of mayhem and it’s equally as tough as the band’s last atmospheric single, ‘Countdown’.
But it’s after ‘Countdown’ that the doubts set in. ‘Ambition’ is one of those wretched bluesy excursions that Charlie Harper‘s so enamoured of, fair enough on his solo album but on a Subs album it’s so much tipping the cap and, besides, lyrics like “I’m riding with a devil called rock ‘n’ roll/Sweet sweet Mary come on save my soul” are pure Coverdale and should remain so.
Elsewhere, the UK Subs’ idea of melodic metal appears more adroitly. ‘Fleshwound’ f’rinstance is packed solid with chunky guitar overlaying the now departed Steve Roberts‘ thunderous drum beat, even if it does continue the band’s unconscious(?) obsession with the Onlys, while ‘I Robot’, despite its daft title, is similarly agreeable.
‘Endangered Species’ does underline one important fact. There is no way, whether or not those concerned wish it, that the Subs can/should be connected with the varied-isms of Oi!
In Conclusion
Lyrically, the band is both capable of and aspiring to much more than shabby odes to the destruction of discos. And I’d be interested to know if the ironical twist of ‘Sensitive Boys’ — “You wanna stay on the side of sensitive boys/There ain’t no place to hide from sensitive boys” — is their personal opinion edging to the fore.
As far as this side of the UK Subs goes, it’s clear they’re in far less danger of becoming an ‘endangered species’ than many of their contemporaries. Just as long as they don’t become safe — and boring — as well. (Robbi Millar)
Charlie Harper seems a bloke with plenty of sense and integrity, but his band’s new album ‘Endangered Species’ wails much the same tale as the kids described above. A bit more variety, a bit more experience, but these assets are often used only to create snarling hard rock rather than something more accurately evocative.
UK Subs‘ songs are testaments to the fear of imminent destruction, nuclear or otherwise. The song ‘Lie Down And Die’ is the first of this selection to express any kind of hope. But the band’s blanket approach tends to reduce everything to the same unsatisfactory level, as far as the ear is concerned. The ideas aren’t insensitive, just their realisation. (NME, 10/04/82)
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