With six tracks in seventeen-odd minutes, Wakefield outfit Dugong aren't messing about on their third 'full length'. Indeed, the opening songs are so immediate it's a challenge to combat the pop-punk palpitations.
For 'pop-punk' don't read 'Blink 182' - Dugong know how to solder a solid melody to their frantic punk rock, simple as, and vocalist Matt Broadbent's crystal-clear lyrics make for an instantly appealing mix. His time performing in the somewhat more sombre in sound Nathaniel Green has seen him develop a previously unheard confidence, never more evident than when the music around him breaks for a few seconds on first-time-through standout 'Trojan Horse'.
The subtle country twang on 'Blooded Ground' does sit somewhat awkwardly next to the blistering climax of 'Ain't Seen No Trouble Like Mine', but since when has an obvious love of diversification been reason enough to criticise a record? Precisely, never. Thus, Quick To The City is a really quite worthwhile purchase for those wanting a little homegrown punk rock with a commercial conscience.
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6Mike Diver's Score