Clarion Call by Skellums: A Raw Indie Rock Punch to the Gut
Alright, let’s get one thing straight—Skellums’ Clarion Call ain’t your polished, radio-friendly rock album. This is gritty, unfiltered indie rock straight outta the UK, and it doesn’t care if you’re ready for it or not. Released back in 2015 on some no-name label (literally “Not On Label”), this record hits like a rusty crowbar to the skull. It’s raw, real, and kinda messy—but that’s what makes it stick.
Now, I’m not gonna sit here and break down every track because who’s got time for that? But I’ll tell ya, two songs stood out like sore thumbs—We Are One and Monsters. Let’s talk about ‘em.
First up, We Are One. Damn, this tune grabs you by the throat from the first chord. The guitars are jagged, the drums sound like they were recorded in someone’s garage (and maybe they were), but there’s something electric about it. The vocals? They’re not perfect—in fact, they’re downright ragged—but that’s what sells it. It feels like rebellion bottled up and poured into your ears. You can practically smell the sweat-soaked clubs where this track was born. It’s chaotic, sure, but isn’t that the whole point of rock n’ roll?
Then there’s Monsters. Oh man, this one’s darker, moodier, like staring into the abyss while smoking a cigarette you stole from your older brother. The bassline crawls under your skin, slow and menacing, while the lyrics hit hard—you know, the kind of stuff that makes you go, “Damn, did they just rip that outta my diary?” It builds up slowly, almost teasing you, before exploding into this cathartic mess of noise. If We Are One is a punch to the face, Monsters is the gut punch that leaves you gasping.
Look, I’m not saying Clarion Call is flawless. Some tracks drag a bit, and yeah, the production could’ve used another pass. But honestly? That rough-around-the-edges vibe is half the charm. This album doesn’t try to be anything other than what it is—a loud, imperfect love letter to indie rock.
Here’s the kicker though: listening to this album feels like finding an old mixtape at the bottom of a drawer. You don’t know who made it, but it speaks to you anyway. Maybe that’s why Skellums flew under the radar—they weren’t chasing fame; they were too busy making music that mattered to them. And hey, maybe that’s enough.
So yeah, give Clarion Call a spin if you’re tired of cookie-cutter crap. Just don’t expect perfection—expect something real.
