Resolution (2015) marks the triumphant return of punk rock pioneers Penetration, arriving a staggering 36 years after their sophomore album. Frontwoman Pauline Murray leads the reformed outfit with a vocal performance that has grown more velvety and sophisticated without losing its distinctive, commanding edge. Joined by original bassist Robert Blamire and notable additions like former Buzzcocks drummer John Maher, the band bypasses cheap nostalgia to deliver a vital, contemporary document. The album replaces raw, three-chord punk aggression with intricate, dual-guitar interplay reminiscent of Television, wrapped in a polished, self-produced sonic landscape.
Critical reception heavily praises Resolution as a rare, filler-free comeback record that honours the band's legacy while forging a mature path forward. Tracks like the driving "The Beat Goes On" and the atmospheric "Just Drifting" showcase a masterful balance of urgent energy and dark, melodic pop sensibilities. Instead of trying to recapture the frantic youth of their 1978 debut Moving Targets, the band leans into their strengths as seasoned musicians and songwriters. Ultimately, the album stands as a confident, dignified, and essential addition to Penetration's catalog, proving their artistic relevance remains entirely intact.
Resolution (2015) marks the triumphant return of punk rock pioneers Penetration, arriving a staggering 36 years after their sophomore album. Frontwoman Pauline Murray leads the reformed outfit with a vocal performance that has grown more velvety and sophisticated without losing its distinctive, commanding edge. Joined by original bassist Robert Blamire and notable additions like former Buzzcocks drummer John Maher, the band bypasses cheap nostalgia to deliver a vital, contemporary document. The album replaces raw, three-chord punk aggression with intricate, dual-guitar interplay reminiscent of Television, wrapped in a polished, self-produced sonic landscape.
Critical reception heavily praises Resolution as a rare, filler-free comeback record that honours the band's legacy while forging a mature path forward. Tracks like the driving "The Beat Goes On" and the atmospheric "Just Drifting" showcase a masterful balance of urgent energy and dark, melodic pop sensibilities. Instead of trying to recapture the frantic youth of their 1978 debut Moving Targets, the band leans into their strengths as seasoned musicians and songwriters. Ultimately, the album stands as a confident, dignified, and essential addition to Penetration's catalog, proving their artistic relevance remains entirely intact.
The musicianship throughout the record highlights a sharp, post-punk evolution that anchors the band firmly in the present. Guitarists Steve Wallace and Paul Harvey craft a dense, layered web of melodies that elevate the arrangements far beyond standard three-chord thrash. This intricate fretwork is locked into place by Maher’s precise, propelling drum tracks, which inject a steady urgency into every arrangement. The resulting audio landscape is clean and sharp, ensuring that the band's newfound technical sophistication never obscures the underlying emotional weight of the songs.
By refusing to replicate past glories, Penetration secures a unique triumph where many of their 1977 peers have stumbled. The album functions less like a time capsule and more like a natural continuation of a conversation interrupted decades ago. It proves that the fiery spirit of the first wave of punk can age gracefully into compelling, intelligent art rock without losing its conviction. Resolution remains an essential listen for both longtime devotees and modern listeners, cementing the group’s status as enduring architects of British alternative music.
Ripped to MP3
1. Instrumantra (2:14)
2. Betrayed! (3:28)
3. Just Drifting (3:42)
4. Guilty (3:45)
5. Two Places (Dos Lugares) (4:23)
6. Aguila (3:57)
7. Beat Goes On (3:19)
8. Makes No Sense (3:23)
9. The Feeling (4:01)
10. Sea Song (3:56)
11. Calm Before the Storm (3:40)
12. Outromistra (4:24)
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