Not much time has passed since Dragnet’s last album. Just two years, really—yet it feels like an eternity. Times have changed, and so has the band. Two members have left Dragnet. At least the sound remains the same.
“Dragnet Reigns!” (Spoilsport) still thrives on its jittery, half-sung spoken delivery layered over a mix of post-punk and egg punk. The group hails from Australia’s garage rock scene and brings together varied backgrounds, and the record reflects that diversity.
Starting from raw, crooked punk energy, “Claires Whip” leans toward catchiness, while “Heroic Dose” stretches into freer arrangements. It’s a tightly packed record, short in length but full of ideas.
Rarely has there been such a breezy track as “Grandstand”. Hopefully Dragnet won’t be thrown off course despite their lineup shifts.
Dragnet – Dragnet Reigns!: A refreshingly versatile piece of post-punk. – RIFL