The Penny Black Remedy are an international rock group comprised of British members Keith Thompson (lead vocals) and Steve Nelson (bassist), Croatian Marijana Hajdarhodzic (vocals, percussion), and Dutch Wilco Van Eijk (drums / percussion / vocals).

Self-described as “Balkan Country Punk Juggernauts”, the Penny Black Remedy have cooked up quite a potpourri of mixed genres awash in the flickering glow of the darker side of life in No One’s Fault But Your Own, set for release on May 18th, 2009. Opener “95 Charing Cross Road”, an excellent choice as the album’s first single, is flavored with ska and punk and serves as a fine introduction to the world of the Penny Black Remedy, with its start-stop rhythm, immediate likability, and the tenebrific twang of Thompson’s vocals. “Don’t Count On Us” turns to a near-flamenco style, introducing the lovely vocals of (classically-trained!) Hajdarhodzic. “Come Back When You Have More Ambition” is somberly sung by both Thompson and Hajdarhodzic gradually growing in tempo and intensity, one of my chief favourites on the album. Cheekily-titled “You Have Wasted Your Life, Now Please Stop Wasting Your Money” and “Hit Hard, Aim Low” returns to ska elements implied earlier on, while “The First Time I Saw Angels” and “I Won’t Argue When I’m Dead” leans to a playful, sarcastic side of country-folk. “I Used To Have Such Nice Dreams” plods along with what at first appears to be a pirate-esque melody, turning the tides and quickening in pace. “Bring Back Brando” is a heart-felt lament on the death of Marlon Brando, and the album’s closer “Gypsy Hospital Death March” sounds just like the track’s title suggests, rallying on amidst horns until the end.

Given the group’s musical versatility shown in this first album No One’s Fault But Your Own, they have set the bar high for future releases- I have big expectations for the Penny Black Remedy!

The Penny Black Remedy - Official Site | on MySpace