The Zips - Guitars 4 Hire

The 1970s: the British public had lost all faith in its government, the police were using heavy handed tactics to control the nation's youth and guitars were once more the backbone of popular music. Fast forward 30 years and not a lot has changed. The Zips have chosen this time of deja vu to release the debut album they never got to make the first time round. Musically little has changed, with punchy riffs, angry lyrics and most importantly the same ethos they always had. Over twelve tracks the band address issues from random police searches, to European unity, to accusations of selling out. The latter seems to weigh most heavily providing as it does the album's title. Grumpy Old Men? Lyrically maybe, but still doing exactly what it says on the tin. [Tali Burgess]