Speak Truth To Power - Album Only. Digital download with purchase. Available Now!

The new studio album from The Samples. 12 brand new tracks from Worcester punk legends.

The first thing to say about The Samples’ Speak Truth To Power album is that it delivers on the massive potential and promise that us fans always knew they had. 1982’s Dead Hero EP and the following year’s demos easily confirm that if fate hadn’t dealt them such a cruel hand, the band always had the lyrical and musical intelligence and chops to deliver one of the era’s classic Punk Rock debut studio albums. Well now that long player is finally here.

Always a creative core trio of singer/lyricist Sean ‘Badger’ Taylor, bassist Pascal Smith and guitarist Dave Evans, of course the loss of Sean to cancer in 2021 was a huge blow. With his blessing though, Dave and Paz found the resolve to continue and, as ever was, have co-written all the album’s music. Sean’s presence also looms large with six tracks - Bullets In The Street, (I Just Wanna) Dance Again, The Red Wall, Generation Nightingale, Tears For Souvenirs and Puppet Master - featuring his lyrics/or partial lyrics.

With Jake Powell on drums, The Samples now operate as a Punk Rock power trio, with Paz taking on the majority of lead vocal duties live, although Dave sings his fair share on the album, featuring on Bullets In The Street, Generation Nightingale, Tears For Souvenirs and Puppet Master.

This band has always had a deep sense of social conscience. Hearts are worn on sleeves with passion and pride and a call to arms for empathy, dignity, decency and truth remains at their core. Nine of Speak Truth To Power’s twelve tracks address important contemporary social issues or shine a light on past injustices metered out by British Governments. Thatcher’s Boot Boys, Enough Is Enough, Red With Rage and the lyrical couplet of, ‘Left Is Right And Right Is Wrong’ from Stand And Fight, tell you all you need to know about where they stand.

The album’s name is itself an historical phrase that advocates non-violent methods in the fight for a more just and truthful world. So don’t expect flippant, throwaway words and vapid sentiments. These boys care!

Elsewhere, the brilliant Tears For Souvenirs addresses the theme of regret at a life not so well lived. Although Dave’s final line of, ‘So it’s passed you by? I don’t think so’ offers some hope.

(I Just Wanna) Dance Again captures the pure unadulterated joy of being in the moment dancing to your favourite bands/artists and contains nice little nods to The Clash, The Stranglers and the punk rock shows that used to take place at Malvern’s Winter Gardens. Badger’s Song is simply a heartfelt ode to Sean, the final refrain of ‘Our singer, front man, lyricist but most of all our friend’ gets me every time.

Musically the twelve tracks veer from the fast-paced opener Bullets In The Street (which, for my money, wouldn’t be out of place on a classic UK Subs album) and Empire Strikes Back to more mid-paced offerings. Think Clash, Generation X, first album era TRB and Eddie And The Hot Rods at the top of their game.

Possessing a taut, tight, punchy production, powerful melodic vocals, memorable hooks and singalong choruses, Speak Truth To Power is a true Punk Rock album that delivers on all levels.

The Samples – Speak Truth To Power by Roland Link. October 2024