Review: Retarded Cop – You Have The Right To Remain Retarded

A few weeks ago, a friend of mine linked me to a couple of Retarded Cop videos on YouTube, proclaiming them deadly, and predicting that they would be stuck in my head all week. Both claims were true. They were indeed deadly and it was all I could do to stop myself from singing out loud in public that it was time to get cans, or that someone walking by made me feel like Charlie Sheen.

Brainchild of Gaz le Rock (of Moutpiece fame), Retarded Cop first emerged last year as a project which he announced as ‘my new solo act, Not gonna make any records just mp3’s and shit youtubes’. Fortunately for the world, this promise was not kept – Gaz le Rock got a band together and Dublin based Retarded Cop launched their debut album ‘You Have the Right to Remain Retarded’ in June of this year to a packed out Workman’s Club.

A perfect blend of poppy melodies, driving bass and more hooks than a pirate ship could handle, makes for an album that is nothing short of punk pop perfection. Opening at sonic speeds with ‘Squirrels’, the head bopping pace is set and by the time you hit Charlie Sheen you’ll be committed to dancing around like a manic Iggy Pop impersonator. The album has some more mellow moments, like ‘Get Over’ and ‘Nooly’s Brain’, but you’ll be brought right back up to speed with ‘Popicalia’ and finish on the ceiling with ‘Sonic Revelation’.

As for the lyrics, there is nothing more to say than they are pure brilliance. Short, sweet and to the point, ranging from genius rhymes to hilarious one liners, you will never again hear an album that deals with the usual musical fodder of being bored, having no money, the highs and lows of relationships and going out in such a direct way. No one is ever again going to get ‘a pain in the gee’ into a song.

This album is an absolute must have for new Irish music hunters. If you haven’t already, check out the YouTube videos that accompany (especially Tea N’ Fags with a cameo from Gaz’s ma). Shortly to announce a tour around Ireland and the UK, you can follow them on Facebook for more updates as they are definitely one to catch live.

This is the year of the cop people, and you have the right to remain getting down.

Their Facebook / Bandcamp / Soundcloud / Website / Gaz Le Rock Twitter