North East Freakbeat’s The False Poets have returned with their third studio album Poetaster: A Miscellany via Nice Mind Records. The album is the first compilation from the band and marks ten years of their existence. ‘Poetaster’ draws on material from their original spell between 2012-2014 and other songs from the second spell in 2018, including their 2019 debut album and last year’s ‘Strange Season’ outing.
Formed originally by enthusiasts of 1960s beat music and garage punk, the album features four earlier recordings, as well as the new single ‘Shadows of Fear’ ‘Poetaster: A Miscellany’ is 44 minutes of folk, garage rock, progressive rock and retro rock.
‘Did It Feel Real?’ is a slab of 1960s jangly rock with an earworm chorus that features solid guitar work from the band. The swinging rhythms of the hook-laden ‘Stick or Twist’ will leave those hips swaying long into the night. The post-gothic ‘Shadows of Fear’ is a moody and reflective bout of dark poetry.
The False Poets have carefully compiled this release to include songs that appeal to new listeners as well as reward those loyal fans. They engage with a variety of styles that reflect their own required tastes. I feel this works because the album allows it to flow between 1960s beat music to folk to progressive tracks like the eleven-minute ‘ Daily Permitted Exercise (Outdoors)’. ‘Tell Me When’ sounds like something from The Beatles’ Songbook. The song was the Poet’s debut single in 2013 and features the late vocalist, Tristan Sturgeon. ‘Rudolph Where’s Your Santa?’ is a fun garage rock track about the man in a red suit.
And finally, the album wraps up with a live version of ‘Did it Feel Real’ featuring Sturgeon again on vocals. Overall, The False Poets have produced ten tracks of laid-back wonders of wisdom and craftsmanship. ‘A Poetaster’ A Miscelleny’ whets the appetites of record collectors looking to take a trip back down to the sixties with this release.