Give Up –  Bilk (reviewed by Dave Franklin)

Bloke rock! That’s the term I reckon. From The Who to The Jam and from The Sweeney to The Streets, young, working class lads with an eye to fashion, coolness and musical history have picked up instruments and told us about their lives and surroundings. Bilk are just the latest torch bearers of that well established timeline. But whereas some try to shock with their wayward ways (Libertines et al) and hedonistic image, Bilk just get on with the job at hand.

The job at hand in this case is writing infectious melodies over groove heavy basslines and a steady beat. They combine modish chops with punk swagger, indie cool with pop accessibility and, in the case of Give Up, throw in a large dose of resolve and positivity. If punk was built on what you stood against and mod on narcissistic self aggrandisement, Bilk find another way, a positive way, a way that sees them accepting the reality of the world around them and instead of moaning about it making a resolution to beat it. And do so to a really well fashioned and effortlessly cool tune.