The 4-Skins
Clockwork Skinhead

THE REVIEW

Taking it a bit broadly, I decided to review this album after a news event that happened a few months ago, the death of the riot officer Raciti, killed in the Catania-Palermo soccer derby. Many TV show episodes were dedicated to the memory of the aforementioned inspector. One evening, suddenly in a report on Vespa's "Porta a Porta" show, the band 4 Skin was mentioned, blamed for writing and playing ACAB "All Cops Are Bastard." Now, I don't want to ramble, taking this review as a journalistic article, so I will end my current event digression here. Everyone, in their decency and conscience, can understand how music can be blamed and instrumentalized when the world is inhabited by individuals with very weak and impressionable personalities.

The 4-Skins are one of the fundamental bands of the British oi! scene, formed in the late '70s, characterized by a strong apolitical and anti-racist component, so they should not be confused with "nazi skins" or "Skin88". Among the characteristics of the band, we find a strong influence from ska and black music in general, while their lyrics exhibit a significant state of dissatisfaction with society.

In "Clockwork Skinhead," we find wonderful songs, crafted by four determined and self-assured individuals. From the start of the album, it's filled with only great songs, sung with proud honesty and pride. From the title track "Clockwork Skinhead", catchy yet not trivial, to other relentless tracks like "Sorry" or the fantastic "Evil", a burst of explosive choruses and venomous guitars accompanied by the simple but decided drum rhythm. To be honest, I don't find a weak song on this record. Just think, immediately after, we find the song "Justice", a song that engages after just two seconds from the beginning, not to mention the following "Low life", an all-out, adrenaline-pumping, and relentless track. All their Jamaican music influences emerge in "Seems to Me", a piece with upbeat rhythms that smells of smokestacks, as well as "Plastic Gangsters". I want to point out that both songs have anti-racist themes. The album concludes with five live tracks, just to show that the 4 Skin rock even more live.

I've had this album for several years, and I can honestly say that I've never gotten tired of listening to it. You won't find many extravagant virtuoso elements in their tracks, you won't find complicated songs that require numerous listens to remember, nor will you find all those clichés dictated by television. I remain amazed that in such an outright manner, no one knows how to take responsibility even today.

Do you want to have fun with great music? Get this album.