Album Review: The X-Ray Eyes – Destiny Is Depressed

You sometimes find yourself wondering if a band with a very carefully manufactured stage look are trying to make up for a deficiency in the material or ability departments. Having caught The X-Ray Eyes‘ set at the Rebellion Festival this year and marvelled initially at the colour-coordinated red shirt and 3D-style shades combo, I can confirm that this is certainly not the case with this band. There’s a manic energy to the live show that combines all of the requisite elements: the look, the sound, and great hooky songs to create something that only really good bands can achieve: an experience.

Translating that to the studio and capturing the essence of that experience is a neat trick if you can pull it off. Destiny Is Depressed certainly does that. It’s a terrific listen. At the first listen, you’re struck by the energy. The X-Ray Eyes‘ default speed is fast, frequently accelerating to superfast. The notable exception to this on this album is the stomper Trouble. That aside, no sluggish mid-tempo dirges, no ballads. In that framework, this ‘punk rock band from Leeds, UK’ deliver an album full of actual songs – 11 frantic tracks of energetic garage punk packed to the hilt with hooks and a frantic energy that is super-infectious. Soundwise, it’s the kind of seminal punk R & B of proto-punks like Dr Feelgood married to a timeless Cramps-y reverbed guitar attack. This chimes nicely with the retro visual styling. It’s not really objective to have a favourite, but two tracks stand out: You’re Not Human and the closing track, the mighty Tried And Tested. The latter is also one of the longer tracks, clocking in at a tight 2:28. No fat but lots of muscle, no frills but plenty to get excited about. Self-produced and released, this is what DIY punk really should be all about. Ace.

Destiny Is Depressed is out now and can be streamed and purchased via Bandcamp