Review Summary: Northern Irelands classic album that still stands head and shoulders above most
Picture the scene, it's the early 90's, Nirvana have just released 'In Utero', Soundgarden were about to explode with 'Superunknown'. Basically Alternative Rock was hitting it's stride big time! On these shores (I'm talking the UK here) Britrock was the flavour of the media. Bands like The Wildhearts, Terrorvision, Therapy?, Skunk Anansie and 3 Colours Red were leading the way for melodic, catchy, punky rock music. It was Therapy? (along with The Wildhearts) who grabbed my attention more than any of the others. Therapy? were a 3 piece from Northern Ireland with an edge to them like no other. They stood out from the crowd thanks to their unbelievable drumming style courtesy of Fyfe Ewing and their dark humorous lyrics from Andy Cairns. They crossed the divide between rock and dance, no other rock band was making noise like this. Complete with snippets of audio film samples, they released their debut long player 'Nurse' to critical acclaim. Unfortunately the production let the album down but it was obvious that the trio had amazing talent. It wasn't until they released their 'Shortsharpshock' EP that the mainstream sat up and took notice, the seeds were sown for the almighty impact that came with 'Troublegum'
I was going to try and stay away from reviewing Therapy? albums as its obvious that I can come across a bit biased during the process. But then two days ago I bought tickets to see them live performing the album in full to celebrate the 20th anniversary of 'Troublegum', also I have just spent £125 on the 'Gemil' box set of demoes and rarities and thought to myself "this band deserves some recognition, even if its just from me", so here goes, apologies for already waxing lyrical about this genius of an album.
To this day no album opens up to a more stark image than this, the brutal short riff and the opening lines of 'Knives' ,"My girlfriend says, that I need help, My boyfriend says, I'd be better off dead" still resonates long after the track has played out. It gets no cheerier with the chorus of "I'm gonna get drunk, come round and *** you up", an ironic fan sing a long live favourite. Its obvious that Therapy? are on a mission here and the album just never lets up. That's the main point to make from this album, it just has no mellow points, no relief and no bad songs! Surely the incredible procession of songs 'Screamager', 'Hellbelly', 'Stop It You're Killing Me', 'Nowhere' and 'Die Laughing' have never, nor will ever be bettered.
'Stop It Your Killing Me' still possesses one of the greatest time changes in rock and 'Nowhere' is the perfect slice of punk rock heaven. Still to this day in rock clubs all around the UK, these songs will get played and drunk people will dance/stumble around grinning all the way. The album itself is easiest to asses when looking at it as a whole, the songs on their own are gorgeous pieces of alternative rock but listened to as an album 'Troublegum' is a bleak and dark venture. Even the album title is a play on the sound, a cross between 'Bubblegum' and 'Trouble' exposes the meaning behind the overall album. Poppy yet smothered in dark and sickly humorous lyrics. Still to this day the opening line of Femtex is possibly the most famous, "Masturbation saved my life", no other song encompasses teen angst as well as this does. Maybe its the cover of 'Isolation' that best shows what this album is about, lonely, self deprecating and angry.
I have never and will never get bored of this album. Throughout the years they have swayed and veered from this sound and in some people's eyes have never bettered this album. But they are truly an innovative and original band and for this they deserve recognition and I will give them all they want! Man, I miss the 90's
