The groundbreaking indie reggae fusion album that became the soundtrack of my life.

We all have all those artists who become the soundtrack of our lives. Since being introduced to them, Sticky Fingers’ music has been like a therapy dog for me. Their indie reggae sound has offered reassurance during the tough times whilst also helping me celebrate the best times. They have introduced me to the superb Oceania music scene. The band has influenced a huge number of brilliant bands over the last decade.

‘Land of Pleasure’ is Sticky Fingers’ second album, written within a month after their debut tour in Europe. By this time, the band had quit their full-time jobs and wrote the album in a garage. The album shows the mix of influences within the band from rock, reggae, indie, electronica and psychedelica.

I admire albums with a range of songs and emotion. One minute you could be happily singing along to indie classics such as ‘Gold Snafu’ & ‘Feast Your Eyes’. The very next minute, you could then be transported to a ride of emotional turmoil thanks to tracks such as ‘Rum Rage’ or ‘Liquorlip Loaded Gun’.

For me, the album discusses escaping from life in a carefree way, whilst being self-aware of your own struggles. The album was a perfect soundtrack to my life as a 16 year old. However, by 26, I could finally understand the deeper meaning of the album and have it relate to more deep and personal aspects of my life.

Anyway, let’s review the album.

The album starts with the opening track ‘Land of Pleasure’. As soon as I hear the opening keys played by Freddie Crabs, I transform back to being 19 years old and watching their incredible and emotional performance at The Brixton Academy in 2019. The reggae bit, the psychedelic vocals and the lead guitar make an epic album opener.

‘Feast Your Eyes’ is up next, a playful and infectious song with a typical Dylan Frost chorus hook. I love the warm and uplifting tone to the song. You can tell it was an era full of fun and excitement for the band. The freedom of quitting their jobs and relying on music for the first time is evident throughout the album, especially in the opening tracks.

‘Just for You’ also follows up the feel-good nature of the album, with a drum and bass-inspired reggae song. Freddie Crabs’ piano idea was discovered in a soundcheck and the song built from there. A feel-good chorus which is perfect for a coastal summer drive.

‘Rum Rage’ takes the album to a whole new level. A haunting but beautiful melancholy track which changes the album’s narrative from just being an upbeat party album. It represents the comedown and heartbreak that still surrounds our early 20s. The guitar and bass begin the song, before the chilling background voices pave the way for Frost’s opening lyric of ‘It takes a beaten up animal to put them all away’. You are then taken to a different place in your mind for the next three minutes of your life.

‘Gold Snafu’ is next, potentially the most catchy song of Sticky Fingers’ entire discography. A feel-good indie classic which I always use when I introduce people to the band. Driven by the funky bass line of Paddy Cornwall, which is brought to life by the various hooks of Dylan Frost.

The album takes another turn, ‘Liquorlip Loaded Gun‘ is one of the most haunting and moving songs I’ve ever heard. The song has an enormous amount of emotional vulnerability. For me, the song discusses the pain of opening up after a painful breakup. ‘Open up the oceans, jump on in’ is my favourite lyric on the album. Musically, the soundscape is extremely clever, Sticky Fingers are experts at building the drama and atmosphere of their songs.

The hip-hop and reggae influence is firmly back in track 7, with ‘Fake A Smile’. The lyrics contain a dark undertone which builds suspense and drama. Then, out of nowhere, the song builds to a crescendo for a brief upbeat bridge, before returning back to its original groove. It is short and sweet but a brilliant addition to the album.

The more low-key and dark side of the album continues with ‘Show No Shade’. The album all of a sudden becomes very self-aware. ‘Drifting through a past life and now I am moving on’. This song represents a tense build-up before another fantastic Sticky Fingers outro to a song. It is everything I love about music and the band.

Next up, ‘If You Go’. I love this song for two reasons. One, it is a brilliant song and, secondly, it sounds more like The Stone Roses than The Stone Roses. After three more sombre-sounding songs, the mood of the album picks back up with a ‘Madchester’-inspired track. A brilliant Paddy Cornwall bassline, John Squire-esque guitar from Seamus Coyle and a classic Dylan Frost hook. I just love this album so much.

The feel-good factor continues in ‘Velvet Skies’ with a feature from Lyall Moloney. I praise the songwriting of the band constantly, but the drummer Beaker Best deserves so much credit for the band’s groovy sound. For me, this is Beaker Best’s best moment of the album. The groove at the start before the snare roll into the feel-good reggae ending transforms this song. Full credit to the production of the album as well, which transitions the build-up into beautiful Freddy Crabs passage of piano.

‘Dreamland’ was based on a rehearsal jam and was turned into a track for the album. I love the loose and carefree nature of the song. The clever technique of stopping the percussion before the final big ‘tribal chanting’ chorus is a clever example of songwriting at its best.

The final song on the album ‘Lazerhead’ has ended up being my most listened-to Sticky Fingers song of the last couple of years. ‘Until tomorrow, I will be your blinded friend’ has been engrained in my mind since I saw them end on that track at Brixton Academy in 2019. It is a beautiful end to one of my favourite albums of all time. It is everything about Sticky Fingers I love. Their music has been there for me during the best and worst times of my life and will continue to do so.

Overall album rating: 96/100

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Sam