Money Well Spent (Their Greatest Adventure - Undeclinable Ambuscade)

Member Name: rclens

Product:	Their Greatest Adventure - Undeclinable Ambuscade
Date:	07/03/01 (145 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Great sound

Disadvantages: None

The rough vocals of Jasper Verger front one of the best punk bands to come from the Netherlands; a guitar-fuelled, hardcore style, meaningful music that will lighten up any rainy day.

The first track usually sets the standard for the entire record as far as style is concerned but ‘Growing Older’ provides more than just this. The meaning within the song reflects the title and the reasonably fast-paced guitaring is matched by emphatic drumming; a key feature of the Undeclinable Ambuscade. ‘Growing Older’ reflects the difficulties encountered as you grow older; where the laid-back attitude of younger days is to be reminisced whilst the present day treats you hard.

I usually complain when lyrics seem less meaningful but ‘Magic Hairspray’ provides an answer to mankind’s wish for a warmer climate by suggesting we use Magic Hairspray to ‘damage the ozone layer, destroy the ozone layer, so we will have… Long hot summers’.

‘Can’t bring me down’ begins with an appealing half guitar solo, one which shows depth within the music. Jasper’s vocals are more wide-ranging than usual, in that they change pitch constantly, in a way that can only be described as sublime.

‘Release the Animals’ is simply about Jasper’s distaste at animals being kept in cages and used for medical purposes by looking at a situation through the eyes of a mouse. The best representation of this within the song is the whole nature of the industry, ‘he had to serve humanity, so all those handsome people can put garbage on their face’. The music has a passionate feel despite the rugged punk exterior. It is clear that the feeling towards the cruelty endured by innocent animals is held dearly, whilst the anger is conveyed throughout.

The guitar solo in ‘I’m sorry’ is the best placed solo on the entire album, breaking up a sorrowful outburst
and the hope for the future; where the song ends.

‘African Song’ is an exquisite attempt at Punk’s version of African music, with a little ska-guitar thrown into the middle for good measure. This song is actually really good and although the lyrics are impossible to decipher, the song calls for an attempt by the listener to do so.

Snowboard is my favourite song on the album and was the track that got me into the Undeclinable Ambuscade. Anyone with a passion for Snowboarding will know exactly what the song is conveying, and for those who have never Snowboarded, the song does its utmost best at encouraging it.
The intro to the song is a steady progression gone wild, getting the effect of a slower start into a developing frenzied style. Snowboard is true to the entire concept of Snowboarding, where braveness is needed and your heart is pumping; exactly what the guitars seem to be indicating.

In not reviewing the rest of the album I am not saying that it is no good. It may be lacking in some of the quality experienced in the songs above but tracks such as ‘Love Story’ are superb anyway, I’d just be here writing all day.

The Undeclinable Ambuscade prove that great music truly originates from he less-developed confines of Europe, rather than the general pop-styled feeling that emanates from the States.

Summary: