This is the perfect time to catch up with Ginger Wildheart and the boys.

The nineties are apparently back and with them comes The Wildhearts, the band that just won't go away, which is a good thing because we don't really want them to. It's been ten years since the release of 'Chutzpah!' and there are plenty of fans salivating into their oatmeal for this album. Fittingly, in the thirtieth year since their formation, The Wildhearts line-up now consists of the ever-present Ginger Wildheart, plus long-term/sometime members CJ Wildheart (guitars), Rich Battersby (drums) and Dannny McCormack (bass). What could go wrong?

'Renaissance Men' leads off with the advance-release track 'Dislocated' which effectively sets out the group's stall and says, "if you don't like this one you may as well piss off now." It's very aggressive and includes some shouty vocals, but it grabs you by the scruff of the neck and challenges you not to punch the air with it in glory; it's as in-your-face as this release gets.

The follow-up number 'Let 'Em Go' is more standard Wildhearts fare with a chorus that kicks off the song, returns frequently and stays in your head like a squatter on crack. From there on, the album doesn't let up with each track being fast, furious, catchy and full of snarling attitude. You will find no ballads on this record, just big ass guitars and songs that refuse to be ignored.

The Wildhearts of old are still alive and kicking, ably demonstrated by tracks like the intense 'My Kind Of Movie' and the slower, chorus-led 'Little Flower'. There's been no mellowing, no toning down and no compromise since they first crawled out of their northern swamp, and I wouldn't have it any other way. 'Renaissance Men' is a fine example of a Wildhearts album and if you've ever been a fan, this is the perfect time to catch up with Ginger Wildheart and the boys.

Alan Holloway