Ferocious Dog are a six-piece band, who deal in a vibrant vein of Celtic-folk infused punk rock, comfortably slotting in between Billy Bragg and The Levellers. However, like The Levellers and New Model Army (also listed as an influence), Ferocious Dog have a broad spectrum of influences, tied together by the band’s left-leaning convictions and a shared desire to communicate through music, and the result is The Hope, a varied and often incredibly exciting album.
The Hope opens on the briefly reflective note of Port Isaac, awash in Dan Booth’s eerie, reverb-washed violin and the sound of pouring rain. A powerful introduction, both to the album and the strong production work, it gives way to the folk-punk riot of Haul Away Joe, an acoustic-led blast that sounds custom made to demolish the dance floor. With blazing guitars, multi-layered vocals and, at the heart of it all, Ken Bonsall’s gritty tones, it certainly tips a nod to the Levellers, and it’ll make for one hell of a live track. Even quicker out of the gate is the blistering Pentrich Rising (previously released as a single), which recounts the tale of a nineteenth-century uprising that ended in woe thanks to the machinations of William J. Oliver, a government spy. Despite the grisly subject matter (which sees the protagonists hanged or beheaded), the band have given the tale a propulsive backing that brings the story vividly to life, while the overarching theme of inequality can hardly fail to resonate in these febrile times. Keeping things moving, Victims pushes the band’s punk element to the fore, railing against the establishment with a genuine sense of rage, and it leaves you wondering why so few bands have found such inspiration in the current climate.
The band maintain the pace on Broken Soldier, which opens with a snippet of news covering the Afghanistan conflict (given even greater poignancy in the light of the recent collapse) and then explodes into an acoustic-led folk-punk tale reminiscent of Oysterband at their most explosive. The band finally slow the pace for the album’s title track, a beautiful mix of acoustic lament and massed voices, with a melody to die for. It sits at the heart of the album and offers the perfect counterpoint to the more visceral moments found elsewhere. However, you can’t keep Ferocious Dog down for long, and the up-tempo Exiled Life (The Chase) positively leaps from the speakers. The same can be said for Khatyn which, despite its brutal subject matter, is dispatched with a musical flourish that is irresistible.
Slowing the pace once more, 1914 is a haunting number that looks at the terrible human cost of war, rather than the more typical flag waving that goes hand in hand with a larger scale narrative. It’s a lovely piece of music and it allows the audience to draw breath between the more danceable numbers that abound. In contrast, Born Under Punches harks back to Levelling The Land-era Levellers, all frantic riffing and spilled beer. Even better is the unstoppable Punk Police, which will leave you bouncing around the living room, sweaty and unaware of your surroundings and, while the melodies remain firmly intact, it’s still one hell of an adrenaline kick. An eerie opening suggests a change of pace, but it is only a short interlude allowing for a moment of calm before Slayed The Traveller kicks into gear, all acoustic stabs and crunchy beats. With the end very much in sight, Parting Glass ups the ante, with Dan’s violin helping to sweeten the splenetic riffs that underpin the track. One of the most fun pieces on the album, Sea Shepherd is a sea shanty complete with gang chant vocals and the salty sound of the accordion. It’s one last blast before the band draw the lights down low on album closer Will You (Feat. Hazel O’Connor), a singalong by the hearthside that shows this ferocious dog has finally barked itself hoarse.
The Hope is the perfect album for the times in which we live but also, thanks to the band exploring history as a means to inform the present, it has a timeless feel that suggests you’ll still be listening to (and enjoying) the record in years to come. Like the bands from whom they take influence, there’s real heart and soul in these folk-infused anthems and, whether raging on Punk Police or offering a more restrained picture with The Hope, Ferocious Dog always have your attention. It’s one hell of an album and, even if you can’t help but feel that it’ll be even better on the road, The Hope is nevertheless something of a highlight of the year. 9/10
