Glen Matlock - Consequences Coming

Glen Matlock wrote the songs for the Sex Pistols.  When he left the band / was ousted from the band (depending on which version of the story you go for - Glen's version or the legend) he retained a relationship with EMI leading to an outlet for his new band The Rich Kids.  The album 'Ghosts Of Princes In Towers' was prime power-pop harking back to Glen's infatuation with Small Faces and 60s Mod, but was scuppered by production.  Mick Ronson basically turned the faders up to full and left them there.  The album was "recorded" rather than "produced".
Within a year The Rich Kids started falling apart and Midge Ure and Rusty Egan decamped to Visage (with Billy Currie and Steve Strange) and effectively set the template for New Romanticism.
He may not have had the highest profile solo career, but he has kept himself busy with the writing of a memoir (I Was A Teenage Sex Pistol - he got in there quick to tell his side of the story, and the book still sits as an essential text in the story), plenty of session and sideman work including Iggy Pop, Faces, Sex Pistols reformations, King Mob, and most recently Blondie.  He's also kept his own name out there (albeit at a small-scale level) with his own solo outings - the last of which was 'Good To Go' in 2018.

Since that album there have been 2 major events that feed into this album.  The first being Brexit - he is an outspoken opponent of Brexit, and the Covid pandemic.  Whilst his opinions on the latter are not as vociferous as the former, his position as a touring musician (ie where most of his income is from) was in suspension.
So taking the frustration of the former and using the time given by the latter has produced 13 songs with something to say, and a bunch of riffs helping the message along.  
Plus his address book affords a guest list that anyone would be pleased with including Earl Slick (David Bowie sideman), Clem Burke (Blondie tub thumper), Neal X (Sigue Sigue Sputnick / Iggy Pop) and bass duties by Nornan Watt-Roy.

"Head On A Stick" and "Consequences Coming" open the album fully charged and railing.  But next track "Magic Carpet Rides" drops the levels.  All good songs (including an unexpected cover of kd lang's "Constant Craving".
It is side 2 (in old money) where the album picks up speed again with a duffer-free run of 6 tracks - the prime picks being "Face In A Crowd" and "The Ship".
Musically it's a mix of a 70s Rock sound (no doubt inspired by his love of Faces and Humble Pie) plus a bit of Slade thrown in and a Rockabilly swing throughout.  My only real criticism is Glen's voice - it's a good voice, and good for the song styles here.  But mate, you're from West London.  Why the mid-Atlantic singing voice?
A minor quibble for an otherwise consistent quality album - he wrote the songs 40 odd years ago, and is still capable of penning a catchy little number with a message.  It just may not get the same audience (either now or in future years).

Head On A Stick

Face In A Crowd

The Ship