THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “On the back of the crazy success of their last album — 2021’s chart-climbing I’m Sorry Sir, That Riff’s Been Taken — Australia punk icons Hard-Ons return with their 14th album Ripper ’23.
While I’m Sorry Sir, That Riff’s Been Taken was the first record to feature the band’s current lineup, Ripper ’23 is the first made from start to finish by that lineup. New kid/old fan Tim Rogers came on board when most of the songs were already written last time; this time he’s been involved from the start.
Ripper ’23 is 100% Hard-Ons, which means that, like the cheap and nasty TV-advertised ’70s hits compilation the album takes its title and cover art inspiration from, it is all over the shop (in a good way), highlighting the group’s stylistic versatility. From the punky attack of first single Apartment For Two to the big balls riffing of In Falls Everything, the record is shot through with big hooks and a surging sonic power along with some sweet production touches.”
