The debut album from England's
Rat Boy -- the musical project of one Jordan Cardy -- is a dizzying mix of styles that pays homage to major influences and predecessors like
the Streets,
Jamie T., and
the Clash. Incorporating punk attitude, hip-hop beats, and indie rock energy on sonic tales of the working-class day-to-day in the U.K.,
Scum is inventive, refreshing, and should also satisfy fans of similarly cheeky lads like
Arctic Monkeys and
Blur. Indeed,
Blur frontman
Damon Albarn and guitarist
Graham Coxon both make appearances on
Scum, lending their talents on a trio of tracks that are just a few of the standouts on an album packed with highlights. The dubby "Turn Around M8" is a bright jam that sounds like
the Clash meets
Gorillaz, while "Get Over It" benefits from
Albarn's inventive keyboard work.
Coxon's turn on "Laidback" is more straightforward, a simple and satisfying track that joins "I'll Be Waiting" as the best festival singalongs on
Scum. Elsewhere,
Albarn's creative spirit can be felt on tracks like "Move" and "Everyday," both of which could've been plucked from the
Blur catalog. When Cardy shows his grit, it's also a thrill. "Fake ID" is a fun punk romp and "Knock Knock Knock" is a heavy distorted blast, both strangely reminiscent of
the Transplants. Meanwhile, "Left 4 Dead" and the title track recall the best and heaviest of early
Arctic Monkeys. In addition to writing catchy tunes, Cardy is also a shrewd observer and clever lyricist, presenting brief snapshots of disillusioned youth, wasted days, and messy rooms. Held together by a
Songs for the Deaf-style radio station format,
Scum indeed feels like scanning the dial at times, which usually works to its benefit. The eight interludes on the Deluxe Edition can be distracting -- even obnoxious -- but they're over before they wear out their welcome, as the album has already jumped from one channel to the next. Forgiving those space fillers,
Scum remains a great pleasure, the product of a young mind brimming with ideas coupled with enough youthful bravery to take such risks. ~ Neil Z. Yeung