v480 - Culture Shock  - "Attention Span"

v480 - Culture Shock - "Attention Span"

Regular price
Artist Name: Culture Shock
Album Title: Attention Span
Virus #480
In between Subhumans (UK) and Citizen Fish, Dick Lucas fronted Culture Shock. Short-lived and influential as hell, the innovators of ska-punk-dub-reggae are at their best with Attention Span, their 1st recording in 25 years!
Culture Shock began in England in 1986 soon after the Subhumans broke up and ended 3 albums and 3 years later. This band clearly shows the progression from Subhumans to Dick Lucas' early blue-prints for Citizen Fish. Culture Shock is to Dick Lucas as Embrace is to Ian MacKaye- It's the transitional band between Subhumans & Citizen Fish just like Embrace is the missing link between Minor Threat & Fugazi.
The line up remains almost the same as the original band, with Bill (drums), Jasper (bass & also original Citizen Fish member), Dick (vocals), with the addition of Alex (also from Citizen Fish) on guitar. Dick's lyrics are mostly concerned with social and political issues, including awareness of cruelty to animals and social alienation. The songs are far from angry rants- they often highlight a perspective of positivity and empowerment.
Attention Span follows the success of their 2012 release, Everything, [their 3 albums and demos] which ignited the band's full reformation. They have been playing live again since 2013. Attention Span delivers a blend of ska-punk-dub-reggae that appeals to sing-a-long music fans and provides a glimpse at the struggles of modern life. Two fine examples are the opening track, "Visibility", which explores the illusions of internet privacy and 'social mediaocrity' and "What Have We Got To Hide", which provides a clever take on big brother paranoia.
Since their rebirth in 2013, Culture Shock has evolved with the times, gaining new depth while staying true to the sound that made them so important since day one.