The Ripps - Holiday

The sun seems to be on its way and perhaps finally some semblance of summer is around the corner. It’s about time for some summery sunshine pop then: cue Coventry’s The Ripps with their take on this very thing – ‘Holiday’ – taken from debut album ‘Long Live The Ripps’.

Musically ‘Holiday’ takes its cue from Britpop, with ‘Parklife/Great Escape’-era Blur and ‘I Should Coco’-era Supergrass being the obvious influences. The slowed down middle 8 and backing vocals being particularly reminiscent of the former, while the organ recalls the latter’s ‘Going Out’. There are also hints of fellow Cov boys The Specials – even more noticeable on b-side ‘Wrontom 18-30 Version’ remix of the song – with a hint of a ska twist to their brand of pop rock.

‘Holiday’ starts off somewhat promisingly with a delicate run through of the chorus backed by some Beach Boys harmonies before it shifts a gear into a bouncy pop song. It loses its way rather in the verse part however, as ‘Country House’-esque vocals dominate. Lyrically it is typical post-‘Whatever People Say…’ British realism, providing a tongue-in-cheek examination of summer drinking. However, when so prominently on show, it becomes clear that The Ripps don’t have their own Alex Turner. Far from it. While there is no need for a summery hit to be knowing or clever necessarily, lyrics like ”Afternoon in Wetherspoons the story begins, a cheeky pint will always end in tears / Go on mate just one more shot, it won’t do you no harm / Go on then you’ve twisted my arm” are enough to send a shiver down your spine on the hottest of June days.

Dodgy lyrics aside there is certainly enough to enjoy about ‘Holiday’ to not dismiss it out of hand. The changes in tempo, likeable chorus and descent into Big Top madness towards the end are all enough to raise a smile. And for those of us old enough to remember Britpop the first time round, there’s a bit of nostalgia on offer too.

The best thing The Ripps have got going for them is a sense of fun, and, if the weather holds out, with this single their timing couldn’t be much better. Whether they will still be around come autumn is another matter.

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First published on rockfeedback.com. See it here.