Album Review: Cheap Meat – People Are The Worst (Jerk Store Records)

London trio Cheap Meat return with their debut full-length record People Are the Worst, to be released on the 29th January 2021.

The group – Ross Drummond (vocals and guitar), Matt Rebeiro (drums) and Peter Hakola (bass and vocals) – formed at a chance meeting by Ross and Matt at a pub quiz hosted by ex-Coronation Street star Martin Hancock, before later recruiting Peter via Gumtree.

Cheap Meat had already kicked up a fuss with their hook-filled, guitar-heavy The Parts That Show EP and subsequent single Spin-Offs. Some years on they now return with People Are The Worst, an LP which has been created despite significant setbacks.

In the span between the EP release and now, Matt’s had two kids, Pete was diagnosed with manic depression/bi-polar disorder, and Ross was diagnosed with high-functioning depression and anxiety. Safe to say the group have been through the ringer: emotionally, physically and creatively.

The theme of the record is misanthrope; the story, DIY.

Listening to Cheap Meat’s new album, the comparisons to the likes of Weezer are very easy to make. There’s a real laidback feel to their rock music and vocalist Peter Hakola certainly shares a lot in common with River Cuomo. High praise indeed but well deserved.

Although that’s not to suggest what we’re hearing here is a rip-off or anything like that as Cheap Meat have a distinctive British flavour and a ton of depth and meaning to their tracks. As well as hitting harder when and where they need too, the rock and roll stylings of this band is excessively addictive.

Tracks like Spoons & Other Cutlery, Eddie & Valerie, Pasodoble and A Pop of Bubblegum are the standout efforts. Each with a bit of energy, a touch of rocking groove and a ton of heart. Which is a good summation of what Cheap Meat deliver on People Are the Worst… a ton of heart. Heartfelt music that is touching and meaningful but not bogged down by melodrama or overtly budget emotive tricks.

Perhaps though, Cheap Meat’s crowning glory comes with the final track, Love Song Reject. Where they showcase just how passionate they can be while also causing a cascade of sentiments.

Cheap Meat – People Are the Worst Full Track Listing:

1. Spoons & Other Cutlery
2. Pretzels & Poptarts
3. Eddie & Valerie
4. Lust, and That’s All
5. Pasodoble
6. Marigold Moon
7. Blasé
8. A Pop of Bubblegum
9. Love Song Reject

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