Theatre Of Hate

Utsukushi-sa / A Thing Of Beauty

Post-punk icons’ blustery second wind continues.

Quite why Kirk Brandon isn’t widely regarded as a national treasure at this point in time is a complete mystery. A Thing Of Beauty, the second Theatre Of Hate album since the band’s surprise restart in 2005, bristles with the postpunk pioneer’s trademark noble defiance, and frequently sounds like the work of snotty young firebrands rather than rock

veterans of near-pensionable age. The weather-beaten indignance that informed the band first time round is here in choking quantities: the opening title track rolls back the years to the days of Westworld, twangy guitars and anthemic chorus included, while Jane Doe is a tense, mid-paced rockabilly beat-‘em-up, with Brandon’s ageless voice a jabbing, insistent presence. There are mellow moments here – Girl is undeniably pretty – but the abiding tone is sinewy and spiky, and reaches a peak of snarling tension on the grim, glam rumble of Red Shift Star.

Nothing to hate here. The old bugger’s still got it. ■■■■■■■■■■