Album Mini-review: The Godfathers — A Big Bad Beautiful Noise
File next to: The Stranglers, Midnight Oil, Mekons
From the slashing opening chord – followed in quick succession by a thunderous and insistent bass line – it’s clear that The Godfathers have come to rock. Deftly combining a workmanlike meat ‘n’ potatoes approach to their instruments with a punky, edge-of-chaos mindset, The Godfathers go for the jugular as they create A Big Bad Beautiful Noise. Just when you think all of the primordial guitar riffs have been used up, this British lot proves that – new or not – there’s plenty of life left in stripped-down r&b-influenced rock made with conviction. True, this isn’t your father’s Godfathers, so to speak: only vocalist Peter Coyne remains from the group’s ’80s lineup. But the group’s timeless, enduring spirit remains intact, thanks to melodic tunes like “You Don’t Love Me.” With A Big Bad Beautiful Noise, this venerable London quintet engages in some serious truth in labeling.
About the Author
Bill Kopp
With a background in marketing and advertising, Bill Kopp got his professional start writing for Trouser Press. After a stint as Editor-in-chief for a national music magazine, Bill launched Musoscribe in 2009, and has published new content every business day since then (and every single day since 2018). The 4500-plus interviews, essays, and reviews on Musoscribe reflect Bill's keen interest in American musical forms, most notably rock, jazz, and soul. His work features a special emphasis on reissues and vinyl. Bill's work also appears in many other outlets both online and in print. He regularly hosts lecture/discussions on artists and albums of historical importance (including monthly events Music to Your Ears and Music Movie Mondays), and is a frequent guest on music-focused radio programs and podcasts. In Spring 2023 he taught a history of Rock 'n' Roll at UNC Asheville's College for Seniors. He also researches and authors liner notes for album reissues -- more than 30 to date -- and co-produced a reissue of jazz legend Julian "Cannonball" Adderley's final album. His first book, Reinventing Pink Floyd: From Syd Barrett to The Dark Side of the Moon was published by Rowman & Littlefield in 2018, and in paperback in 2019. His second book, Disturbing the Peace: 415 Records and the Rise of New Wave, was published in 2021 by HoZac Books. His third book, What's the Big Idea: Great Concept Albums will be published in 2024. Read even more about him here.