Review
CRAZY ARM – TRIBES & HELP FOR HEROINES
Released 15th August 2011 (Xtra Mile Recordings)
Words: Richard Heaven
Tribes, the first single from Crazy Arms follow up to 2009′s Born To Ruin, see’s the Devon quartet pay tribute to Bruce Springsteen more then ever before. The intro wouldn’t be out of place on Born In The USA while the vocal line could have been taken from one of many Bruce songs. And I feel that this is Tribes biggest failure – It flirts too closely to classic Springsteen. At 5:16 it’s not long before I’m tempted to switch over to the real thing which is a real shame as Crazy Arm have proven themselves a confident act both on the stage and in the studio time and time again. A good effort, but it may be worth retaining a little more the punk n roll sound next time.
Help For Heroines is an altogether fresher track with a more traditional country rock vibe in the first half before kicking it up a notch half way through. Crazy Arm have always been best when they remind you of Tom Gabels prime, and luckily the Against Me! influence shines on the latter half of the track. While Tribes is clearly the best choice for the leading track on this single, Help For Heroines should in no way be discarded.
