Blog: Merry Swankster

Four albums in, and there's no easy move for Times New Viking to make. Mopping up the murk of their previous three releases for a crisper, more mature sound might actually be the most ordinary, clichéd path available. "Noiseniks go symphonic pop!" is a story that's been told at least since The Ramones were trading skin- and hair-care tips with Phil Spector. That said, the brash, bratty, bloody-red art-punk sound they've wallowed in to date has established a fairly low basement ceiling for continued growth within its confines. Not really an inspired threading of this particular needle, Born Again [...]

• Times New Viking - Half Day In Hell