Simon RushworthMassive Wagons – House Of Noise (Earache Records)
In 2016 Rushonrock went out on a limb.
We dared to suggest that Massive Wagons ‘could become the engine room of British rock’.
It was a bold statement.
An emotional, beer-fuelled tribute to one of our favourite bands.
And a declaration delivered as much in hope as in expectation.
But we were right.
The engine room of British rock?
In 2020 Massive Wagons are powering a rock and roll nation.
House Of Noise boasts more energy than Sellafield at its 80s peak.
It’s like a gale force wind ripping through the NWOCR movement.
And there are times when the killer combination of riotous riffs and super-catchy choruses is almost volcanic.
The engine room of British rock? More like a national grid, fuelling the genre’s future.
Let’s be honest…and where Massive Wagons are concerned we always have been.
Previous long player Full Nelson was a thoroughly decent album.
But it occasionally lacked that essential spark.
By contrast, House Of Noise is built on firebrand frontman Barry Mills’ incessant enthusiasm.
Its foundation is singalong anthems paced by frantic fretwork.
And it offers a far truer window into the world of the UK’s best party band since The Darkness.
Knock on the door and you’re greeted by the ridiculously on-trend In It Together.
A rallying call for the COVID-19 generation, it’s the perfect example of the Wagons’ galvanising force.
And once you’ve crossed the threshold, House Of Noise lays out the welcome mat.
Bangin’ In Your Stereo has long since been a staple of the band’s incendiary live shows.
Freak City – presumably home to the House Of Noise – is another firm fan favourite.
But what about the ‘new’ tunes?
Professional Creep references Meryl Streep. Enough said.
Glorious has an hilarious pop at just about everyone you’ve ever come across in the music industry (Rick The Pen anyone? He reviews bands but nobody’s listening. Savage.).
And then there’s the sentimental side of Mills as he weaves his way through the epic set closer Matter Of Time.
Ever wondered when Massive Wagons were going to pen their November Rain? This is it.
Latest single The Curry Song is tailor-made to send the post-lockdown crowds into a frenzy.
Its ridiculously tasty made-for-crowd-participation chant around Keema Naans and a Rogan Josh is classic Mills.
Put simply House Of Noise is streets ahead of anything Massive Wagons have done before.
And no wonder the band’s main man told Rushonrock it could very well be their first ‘real’ album.
Mills is on fire lyrically: ‘My head’s a disco full of people who I don’t like’ he sings on Freak City.
Quite a few of them face both barrels from a merciless Baz.
Guitarist Adam Thistlethwaite dovetails perfectly with a supremely confident Stevie Holl – the latter frequently making his presence felt after successfully bedding into this brilliant band.
And it’s hard to find fault with a remarkably assured record.
In 2016 Massive Wagons were worth a punt.
Four years down the line and they’re a sure-fire certainty.
You can put your mortgage on House Of Noise.
