Apparently, three-piece rockers Target Nine have a ‘strong do-it-yourself work ethic’ according to their blurb, though they seem to have taken a holiday when it comes to putting together a tracklisting. For that reason, I won’t be hiring them to do my conservatory, as they’ll probably forget to put the roof on.
Fortunately the music is pretty good. It’s that not-so-rare breed, melodic rock, but done with energy and accomplishment. Opener ‘I Am Your Crutch’ is more than meaty punk rock; it’s prime fillet steak. Suggesting a ballsier Green Day, or less grizzled Foo Fighters, the band deliver plenty of big melodies carried on the back of a couple of tigerish guitar riffs. The production, consciously keeping it simple, is unfussy and clear, the rhythm section plumb-line reliable and the singing tough but tuneful.
The energy levels are upped on the second track (from hereon-in I have made up the titles. This one may as well be called ‘I Feel The Action’), though slightly to the detriment of vocal melody and tone, but the sheer gutsiness of the guitar playing, all sweat and sinew, is thrilling.
‘The Night is On’ has some of the yobbish energy of our own Dead Jerichos, and its angular lead line meshes well with the thickly distorted bass figure, so distorted it misdirects us into thinking that we’re listening to electro-rock for a moment. ‘I Get In Everybody’s Way’ sounds too Foo for school, but closes the record with more bristling, pugilistic vocals and effortlessly honed classic rock chops from the guitar, bass and drums. Collectively, these tracks are a powerful statement of intent by another scarily talented bunch of twenty-something newbies. If you veer towards the heavier end of Oxford’s music scene but you still care about proper singing and harmonies, then Target Nine are a must-hear, even if they won’t tell you what you’re hearing.