Sometimes you get the gerbil and sometimes the gerbil gets you. When it comes down to it, it is the killer instinct that guarantees victory and UK punk rock trio Templeton Pek demonstrate that killer instinct with their sixth studio album “Savages”.
“Savages” isn’t an album filled with subtlety and each and every song seems designed to make your heart beat just a little bit faster. Power chords abound and with impassioned vocals delivering the lyrics- and some of said lyrics have more of an edge to them than you might expect of band on the crowd pleasing trail -as if the only option were to make them heard at the back of the room. You know what you are getting with Templeton Pek and Templeton Pek know what they are giving you.
Whilst this band’s take on the punk sound is more American and British, this musical approach makes a certain degree of sense. It isn’t 1978 anymore and having songs that can be expanded to reach a stadium audience is an entirely reasonable thing to do. Yet, despite the commercial polish on this album, Templeton Pek are still a band that clearly has a heart and soul.
Best songs: The anthemic “No Kings”
Verdict: Loud but worthy.