While it's a departure from the sci-fi scuzz-punk of their debut, Dragster's second album saw them getting a new political fury to their sound which grows on you with repeated listening. The likes of "Skull Ring" (live video below) and "Death By A Thousand Cuts" could almost be Obsessive Compulsive which is definitely a good thing. Angry punk music with something relevant to say in 2014 - who'd've thunk it?
24. MFC CHICKEN - "Solid Gravy"
Old school '60s indebted garage rock with an unhealthy fixation on chicken, MFC Chicken turned in a clucking good album with their debut (sorry but I should warn you - listening to this may leave you prone to making bad chicken puns as well). Music to shake your backside and tap your toes to, this is fun, catchy and eminently listenable. Personal choice here had to be the excellent "Get Outta The DJ Booth" which you can listen to below.
23. THE DOWLING POOLE - "Bleak Strategies"
There's something about this album by Willie Dowling (ex-Honeycrack, Jackdaw 4) and Jon Poole (ex-Wildhearts, Cardiacs) that reminds me of XTC for some reason - quirky off the wall pop music with a definite summery feel to it. Maybe not one you'll get straight away but it definitely grows with repeated listening into something you can happily lose yourself in for hours at a time. And that's the mark of a good album in my book. Just listen to "The Sun Is Mine" below and let some sunshine back into your life.
22. MING CITY ROCKERS - "Ming City Rockers"
Raw as you like garage punk from just outside Scunthorpe, Ming City Rockers were the genuine sound of teenage smalltown angst in 2014 (the fact that the song below is entitled "I Wanna Get Out Of Here (But I Can't Take You Anywhere)" should provide proof if needed). Although they're arguably still at a developmental stage, this is an impressive debut with a tip of the hat to Iggy and the Stooges and riffs and firepower by the bucketload. Where they'll go next with their imminent breakout into the big wide world remains to be seen but it'll be an interesting journey, no doubt about it.
21. THE PECKHAM COWBOYS - "Ten Tales From The Gin Palace"
Single-handedly keeping the brewers of South London in profit in 2014, the Peckham Cowboys came back with an album which properly showcased their sound (their debut, while it showed promise, was sunk a bit by bad production). Driven along by Dale Hodgkinson's scuzzy riffs and powered by Marc Eden's louche barrow boy charm (check out "Bromley Girls" below), this is the sort of lovably shambolic rock 'n' roll that there's sadly too little of nowadays.
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