Album review: Cock Sparrer – “Hand On Heart”

Pirates Press Records – 05 Apr 2024

Cock Sparrer eye the end but remain undefeated.

Cock Sparrer are the rare band that never made a bad record. Hand On Heart continues that streak. Granted, eight studio full lengths in 50 years makes their output awfully sparse, but they've always rightfully chosen quality over quantity. It's actually kind of remarkable. Since forming in 1972, they've released one LP in the ‘70s, two in the ‘80s, two in the ‘90s, one in the ‘00s, one in the ‘10s, and now, their (supposed) final album arrives in 2024. If Iggy Pop is the godfather of punk, then Cock Sparrer must be its grandfathers. Like the last Stooge standing, these guys are somehow still relevant.

Hand On Heart is 10 new songs that feel familiar in all the right ways, even on the first listen. It's like musical comfort food for aging punks. There are no big surprises, but there are plenty of good songs. It's hard to criticize a band for staying in their lane, especially when they were there before the stripes were even painted on the road. Colin McFaull's voice is as distinct and strong as ever. The intertwining guitars of Micky Beaufoy and Daryl Smith slash like a razor. The whole thing is built on the rock solid rhythm section of bassist Steve Burgess and drummer Steve Bruce. 

The title track kicks things off, and you can forgive the guys for getting a little sentimental. “Hand On Heart” is, for lack of a better term, heartfelt. Ditto the third song, “I Belong To You”. Fortunately, the majority of the songs have more of a chip on their shoulder. “Mind Your Own Business” is pretty self explanatory. “Rags To Riches” has some of the record's best lyrics. “I ain't got a pound for a round/And a round costs more than a pound/I ain't got a pot and I need a piss/How did it ever come to this?”. “No Way Out” has the urgency of a band a fraction of Cock Sparrer's age. 

“Take It On The Chin” would easily fit in a playlist of the band's classics. “One Way Ticket” laments the ones who get lost along the way, while “Nowhere To Be Found” centers on loyalty and betrayal. “My Forgotten Dreams” is an unapologetic ballad. It's backed by an orchestra, and might be the mellowest thing the band has done since “Out On An Island” on their classic album Shock Troops from way back in 1982. Once again, they can be excused for being nostalgic. 

Either way, they more than make up for it with the record's obvious single and closing track, “Here We Stand”. If that title sounds familiar, it should. It was the name of their excellent 2007 LP. It also feels like a definitive statement, a promise. If this is their last song, they're definitely going out in style. It was widely assumed that 2017's Forever would be the final Cock Sparrer album. That makes Hand On Heart feel extra special, like a parting gift to fans. 

For vinyl fiends: First press is 2000 on black, 700 on milky clear, 300 on 180 gram casewrapped gatefold claret and blue, and 500 on picture disc. The standard packaging includes a printed inner sleeve and an insert.