South London duo Carter USM combined an every-man appeal and a political idealism reminiscent of The Clash with a seamless cohesion of synthesised percussion, roaring post-punk riffs and razor-sharp, pun-drenched lyrics and 30 Something is their ultimate statement. As vocalist Jim Bob's fiery social conscience gets to grips with such burning issues as racial prejudice in the armed forces ("Bloodsport For All") and spousal abuse ("Sealed With A Glasgow Kiss"), Fruitbat's digitised wall-of-sound and heroic guitar assaults mercilessly steamroller the listener into submission. But the quality that most endeared Carter to their enormous UK fan-base was their uncanny ability to reflect the punch-drunk melancholia of the urban underdog. The bittersweet wallowing of "A Prince In A Pauper's Grave", the sorrowful regret of "Falling On A Bruise" and the ultimate dejection of "The Final Comedown" are quite simply towering, evocative genius. Way beyond essential, 30 Something is a 24-carat masterpiece. --Ian Fortnam
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