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New Reviews
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Chuck Ragan/Austin Lucas split 7” Hometown Caravan Records
Many notable punk singers seem to be striking out on their own these days and delving into acoustic solo projects, each one captivating and unique in their own way, but for the most part using a country influence as their guideline. Chuck Ragan however, lends a seminal roots rock element to his songwriting, sometimes sounding like he should be sharing a stage with the likes of Bob Dylan or Bruce Springsteen. He’s a man who eschews the normal ‘punk goes country’ structure of writing tales of past drinking experiences and the woes that go along with them by building a strong architecture around his songs, elaborating on a story rather than merely stating facts. ‘Don’t Cry if you’ve Never Seen the Rain’ is one of his best songs to date and you know that he will only produce even better in the future. The only thing more surprising about a country band based in the Czech Republic is the fact that Austin Lucas and his Pressmen wrote a song that easily sounds like it could have been written and performed in a small shack in the Appalachian Mountains in the 1940’s. ‘Oakland Skyline’, with its bare bones acoustic guitar and Hawaiian steel guitar is a nugget of pure bluegrass gold. I can’t really get into specifics about this song or bust out some cool bluegrass vernacular that bluegrass fans ‘in the know’ would understand, but I can say that I like it. And what more can you say than that? CS
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Chuck Ragan- Loz Feliz Side One Dummy Records
It's seems that more recently there has been a 'punk gone acoustic-solo' trend in "the scene." Well friends, meet the pioneer that laid the trail and set the standard. The raw vocal power from Hot Water Music that shaped Gainesville, Fl united with a familiar heartfelt blues fabricates a new genera of music all together. Songs like the 'The Boat' and Bob Dylan cover 'Fixin to die' show a phenomenal display of live CD realism, thus separating the man from the digital magic machine. Recorded on February 19, 2007 in Los Feliz, California, Los Feliz is not a moment dull, and doesn't skip a beat. So leave your acoustic guitar at home, and bring this album with you on your next camping trip. Ladies and gentlemen, Chuck Ragan is the B.B. King equivalence in the punk rock community. PM
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Mad Caddies- Keep It Going Fat Wreck Chords
The first track on this album ‘The Dirge’ starts off sounding like something that was arranged by a large jazz ensemble in the Swing Era of the 1940’s. This stops by the second track, in which the band settles into a mellower reggae sound for the remainder of “Keep It Going”, occasionally stepping off this path for some traditional jazz sounds. I remember being a moderate Mad Caddies fan in high school, when I enjoyed the bouncy rhythms of ska-core music and didn’t mind dancing and looking like an asshole. I’ve since pretty much completely grown out of that style and the propensity to bust out skanking. And while I’m just not interested in ska anymore, the Mad Caddies pull off this more Dancehall styled version than many of their contemporaries without sounding as ridiculous. “Keep It Going”, for what it is, is a pretty good album…listening to it you almost fool yourself into thinking that you’re listening to a group of laid back herb smoking Rastafarians out of Kingston, Jamaica rather than a quintet based in Santa Barbara, California. Look at me, name dropping Kingston like I know anything more about Jamaica other than you’d probably see a lot of dreadlocks there and that I like Red Stripe lager. Sure, that may be shitbaggery on my part; but no ones forcing you to read this right? Bottom line: if you like imaginative ska music then you will want to pick this up. If you’re a more cookie cutter ska-core fan, you’ll probably just pass this up and buy the new Voodoo Glow Skulls album...you predictable fuck. CS
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Wednesday Night Heroes – Guilty Pleasures
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The Draft- Stop Wastin’ My Time/Up All Night 7” No Idea Records
“Its bullshit/its bullshit, but I’ll repeat it/ ain’t got enough sense just to leave it”. By the time they get to this line in ‘Stop Wasting My Time’, I was already hooked. I don’t know if I’ve even heard someone use ‘bullshit’ in a song, but I think I can safely say that this is the best usage of the aforementioned word. Both songs on this album rock, pure and simple. It’s the same Draft you know and love and first experienced on their debut full length “In a Million Pieces”, but they somehow just seem to keep getting better. Originally when I first came across The Draft, I was worried that they would merely be a watered down caricature of Hot Water Music, and while they still retain some of the raw, organic sound of their former band, they lend a new concise melodic twist to their songwriting. If you don’t own a record player, I would strongly suggest you buy one…if only just to own this 7”. CS
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The Draft- NA NA NA/Devil In The Shade 7" No Idea Records
Having just met vocalist Chris Wollard and seeing a great live performance of 'Devil in the Shade', the second song on this 7", I must say that they are one of the better live bands I've seen. If you're not familiar with The Draft then you've got your homework assignment. The Draft are catchy like your Alkaline Trio, but less morbid. Derived from Hot Water Music, but more polished. The true down to earth grit and sweat of punk rock music today. There full length album 'In A Million Pieces' is utter greatness and their two 7" records are a continuation to their still young legacy. George Rebelo (formerly of HWM and Blacktop Cadence) carries this band like a true percussionist will subtle off-time beats and ever-strong rhythm. He also likes his whiskey neat. It was an honor to meet and talk with these guys, and I am certain there are only great things to come in this band's future. PM
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Fake Problems- How Far Our Bodies Go Sabot Records
Fake Problems have certainly got their finger on the pulse of something here. Immediately references to Against Me, Lucero and This Bike Is A Pipe Bomb will be made, as this band plays the same style of lo-fi folk infused with three chord punk as the previously mentioned bands, but these guys take it and own it. Singer Chris Farren isn’t afraid to spin a good yarn, telling tales that give you glimpses into his mind and soul. Alternately crooning like on songs like ‘Cold on the Soul’, allowing the steel guitar to lead the way in a plodding composition of loneliness and then breaking loose with whisky soaked throat on the ready for ‘Born and Raised’, railing like the roughest of barroom heroes. Does anyone else besides me notice that most of the bands that play this style of music hail from Florida? Does Florida have a secret patent on the whole ‘anarcho-folk-punk’ thing…and do alligators and swamps play any role at all in this? Anyway, this is a great album. I dare you to listen to ‘Born and Raised’ and not begin to wander what the fuck you’re doing with your life. CS
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The Fall of Troy- Manipulator Equal Vision Records
Life is full of disappointments, let downs, and false hope. The Fall of Troy have crushed the hopes and dreams of what I would think is a large group of fans. Sophomore album "Doppelganger" stormed the shores with such force, and having seen the boys play a few times I can testify they're excellent musicians. So why the poorly recorded over the top and under-sung 3rd album? Don't let me stray to far. There are classic Fall of Troy moments to the album, but over all just lacking the drive the band had initially. I'm starting to pick up on a trend that may get out of hand if not addressed right now. Axl Rose. There's a fuck'n reason Against Me! reinvented him. It's the same reason that Guns n' Roses will never make a come back despite efforts over the last 5 years. People don't want to hear it. So stop with all the high pitched nonsense. That goes to you Tim. Please take my advice, and steer clear of the Avenged Sevenfold path. Sure they make good money, but Henry Rollins does not approve, and everyone knows he's the Jessie Jackson of white people with tattoos. PM
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Holy Roman Empire- The Longue Duree He Who Corrupts Inc. www.myspace.com/holyromanempire
It’s not often hear a female vocalist that I genuinely get into. Not because I’m a sexist, or some piece of shit misogynist but rather because I listen to a lot of aggressive music, and the caliber of abrasiveness needed to fuel said music sounds foreign to me with a woman’s voice. There are plenty of notable female hardcore screamers, but too much toughness from a girl just turns away my interest…maybe I am just a turd. Regardless, HRE vocalist Emily Schambra has a beautiful and soaring voice that is powerful and aggressive, and does this without losing her feminine appeal. “The Longue Duree” starts of with ‘Undeserving You’, a song that is hard to ignore; starting off with a Snapcase-ish barrage of sound that leads into soaring vocals that captivate you immediately. The rest of the album follows suit. Let me reiterate; despite the fact that some of the bands members spent time in notable bands like The Hope Conspiracy and Shai Hulud, Holy Roman Empire is not a hardcore band and this is not a hardcore album. What “The Longue Duree” is, is a well rounded album that anyone from a sensitive pop- punker to the gnarliest of hardcore dudes can enjoy. CS
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The Academy Is- Santi Fueled By Ramen Records
Santi is appeasing to those holding all the music industry's marbles. Not as heavy or quick tempoed than their first attempt but that doesn't mean it's any less dirty feeling. Full of 15 second television promo clips and T.R.L commercial break segways. You can compare this album with about every rock single on the charts and don't get excited because last time I looked at the 'charts' It was full of recycled money making filth. Not that this ones anywhere near the charts even if they are stupid and don't matter. JD
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Daggermouth- Turf Wars Smallman Records/State of Mind
I’m sure that I’ve thrown the phrase ‘melodic hardcore’ around a lot. Listening to “Turf Wars” I hear so many influences that it’s the only thing I can come up with. Daggermouth play energetic, pop punk infused music with some community backup vocals and some semi-hardcore breakdowns. The drumming is fast and frantic and forces the guitar to keep up while still breaking free occasionally to add some interesting melodies. Daggermouth is new to me; never having heard them till this release, but I have heard a lot of people throw comparisons to Lifetime and Saves The Day out in the ring when talking about these boys, and to an extent I can see it. However, I hear a lot more early-nineties skate punk influence in their music (ala NOFX) and a hefty dose of MXPX, especially in the vocal styling’s of Nick Leadlay and in the lyrical content(read: girls). Overall I liked the album, but I didn’t love it. “Turf Wars” initially caught my attention, but lost it by track three when I realized there wasn’t a whole lot of variation between the songs; they tend to run together. This would be a great album for an occasional listen rather than a steadfast staple of my collection that deserves a lot of attention. This is a pretty decent album and Daggermouth has a lot of potential for the future. CS
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Poison the Well- Versions Ferret Records
At long last the 5th release from "the" legendary hardcore band. The saga continues with a different version of PTW appropriately named 'Versions'. Every other song seems to show a muddier, more stagnate side of the romp n' stomp bunch. This is absolutely a good thing. Each one of their albums seems to unveil another layer of who PTW well is. I believe them to be the anti-chameleons of the hardcore scene because of there ability to never adapt or conform to what is going on in music around them. Song #2 entitled "Breathing's For the Birds" is a perfect example of oddly proportioned, but well meshed music that sets the album up for a success story told in in hardcore hymens. Some of the hardcore verity most likely have to do with losing two members this past year; Jason Boyer on Guitar and Ben Brown on Bass. Regardless Guitarist Ryan Primack, and vocalist Jeffrey Moreira keep the band solid yet creative. Get this album. PM
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From Autumn To Ashes- Holding a Wolf By the Ear Vagrant Records www.myspace.com/fromautumntoashes
My initial reaction to the prospect of a new From Autumn To Ashes album was not a pleasant one. Despite the fact that FATA have been staunch emotional metalcore stalwarts, having released many great songs for my listening pleasure, their last album “Abandon Your Friends” had me cursing their name. I fucking hated it and was prepared to fucking hate this one as well. I had always enjoyed vocalist Ben Perri’s throaty screams but grew to detest drummer/vocalist Francis Mark’s incessant whiny vocals…the sonic equivalent to having steel wool rubbed across my cerebral cortex. So, imagine my horror when I learned of Perri’s departure from the band and the fact that Francis was stepping up to take on the task as frontman. But just as you think you have things figured out, life has a way of throwing you a curve ball. As soon as “Holding a Wolf…” starts, I knew that I was completely wrong in my previous thinking. Francis Mark obviously takes his new promotion seriously and proves himself pretty adept at the screaming game…and although I miss FATA’s previous vocalist’s lower growls, the higher pitched screaming is equally effective in raising the ol’ blood pressure. This is your standard From Autumn To Ashes; musically they are on par with their previous releases and Mark still does the annoying whiny vocals, although they somehow sound less annoying on this album. I’m happy to report that this album sounds a bit like “Too Bad You’re Beautiful”, and even though that fact doesn’t get them a full pardon for past album snafu’s, it does gain them points towards redemption in my eyes. CS
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Death Before Dishonor-Count Me In Bridge Nine Records
Slam punk junk on the Agnostic Front lines. To battle we fuck'n go! 'Count Me In' projects a typical "take names, kick ass" hardcore style with community backing vocals. That lets you know these boys roll in lager hardcore groups, and you better watch your ass. I hear many East Coast hardcore influences that include; Most Precious Blood, and Sick Of it All. DBFD aside from being in an area with my similar sound seem to stand among the crowd a little with precision guitar crunching and some of the harder break down I've heard in a while. If these boys stick to their guns they just may find them selves touring with with legendary bands like S.O.I.A. PM
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Strung Out- Blackhawks over Los Angeles Fat Wreck Chords
Somehow I lost track of Strung Out for the past nine years; the last time I picked up one of their records was 1998 when “Twisted by Design” was released. When I unexpectedly received this in the mail I was incredibly excited, “Oh wow, I haven’t heard these guys in a while…this will be awesome.” was what was going through my mind right until the moment I popped this sucker in to give it a spin. Thinking back to great albums like “Twisted by Design” and “Teenage Suburban Wasteland Blues”, I was ready to rock out to rapid drumming, fast paced words flying in front of methamphetamine paced music and super technical versions of 80’s metal riffage. Yes! *Dramatic pause* In a nutshell, I’m terribly disappointed. This is nothing like the Strung Out I once knew and loved. I mean, the music is still pretty technical and interesting if slower paced music is your cup of tea, but everything sounds watered down and bland to me. I realize now that in the long period where I heard nothing from this band, they have made drastic changes within their songwriting processes. I really used to love and respect this band, so I don’t want to talk shit…but “Blackhawks over Los Angeles” is dangerously close to falling under the category of ‘crap’ in my book. This Blackhawk would have been better off going down in enemy territory never to be seen again. CS
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J Church- Horror Of Life No Idea Records
J Church leads off this album with what reminds me of The Presidents of the United States of America. Make no mistake. The rest of the album is more punk that has little to do with "millions of peaches." Lyrically this guy is very typically punk rock in a sense that the lyrics are kept to a minimum of fewer words with more repetition. The message becomes loud and clear that the music is less serious and more bouncy in between speedy drums with silly-punk lyrics comparative to Atom and His Package. I have to be honest I don't dislike, but am not an avid fan, making the album very hard to reviews thus rendering me to compare it to other bands. I'm sure their live show gets it done. PM
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The Measure [SA] - Historical Fiction Team Science Records
The state of New Jersey is known for several excellent things like Kevin Smith movies, and secret mafia burial grounds and now, it is know for New Brunswick’s own The Measure [SA], a great addition to the aforementioned list. You like your punk rock with a fun and boisterous sound? The Measure [SA] has that. Do you crave energetic songs that are led by gruff male vocals and an opposing sweet female voice as well? Guess what fucker; The Measure [SA] has that too. Are you in desperate need of a dark and out of the way place to stash the bodies of rival gangsters that had the sheer, unadulterated nerve to eye fuck you? Well, I don’t know if The Measure [SA] has that, but “Historical Fiction” would be a great album to listen to while burying bodies. It has an energetic cadence that will keep you digging complaint free for hours and keep you distracted from the smell of the rotting corpse stuffed in your truck. I receive a lot of albums for review but it’s the rare album like this that proves its continued listen-ability factor and ensures a spot in my record collection. This sucker rocks with the melody and underlying antagonism of a Fifteen album and makes me tap my feet continuously. Get it ya friggin’ goomba! CS
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Ruiner- Prepare to be Letdown Bridge Nine Records
When I was a young lad, Survivor’s song ‘Eye of the Tiger’ used to just fucking pump me up. My friends and I would be playing G.I. Joe and after listening to that song I was ready to annihilate operatives of COBRA, you dig? The third track on this album, ‘The Lives we Fear’ has that same effect on me…anybody down for playing G.I. Joe’s today? I love hardcore music, but I’m constantly let down by the stuff anymore. These days I listen to very little of it just because of the fact that more bands are focused on ripping each others sound off to the point where creativity is a much sought after commodity in the scene. Ruiner is a breath of fresh air, dispelling the myths that hardcore has become a stagnant entity and brings an established style with their own twist to the forefront. These young gentlemen play fast, grueling hardcore that sounds both punishing and promising, every songs leads into the next perfectly without running together. Serrated guitars slash out at you in a never ending cycle of sonic defiance while vocalist Rob Sullivan howls out his manifesto in time with the chaos. Every band has influences and Ruiner is no different, I hear a lot of Modern Life Is War and Dag Nasty in their songs, but rather that just emulating their predecessors they build on it, pushing the sound to an all new high. Ignore the title of the album…you won’t be letdown. CS
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Tim
Armstrong – A Poets Life
www.epitaph.com
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Seventh Star- The Undisputed Truth Facedown Records
The first song of this album, ‘Undisputed Truth’, leads off with vocalist Johnny Intravaia shouting about his “Undisputed truth/ Undisputed proof” and even though at this point you don’t know what the hell is is, he screams it with such veracity and viciousness that you can only believe that no matter what words will be flying out of his mouth for the remainder of the album, that it will indeed be undisputed truth. This album is a monster…throwing kicks and punches, beating you mercilessly and throwing you about, not content with your submission to its will; the punishment ends when the album ends. This is one of the heaviest albums I’ve listened to in a while, both musically and lyrically. “The Undisputed Truth” covers topics like God, war, fanaticism and avarice…all the makings of a great hardcore album. I’ve heard many people detract some hardcore bands about their spiritual beliefs stating that religion has no place in hardcore, but I couldn’t disagree more. Hardcore is all about getting your message to the masses whether it is religious, socially conscious messages or songs about your moral beliefs. Seventh Star is the epitome of a band with a heartfelt message. Open your ears and your minds and gain insight to whatever message appeals to you in any sense. “The Undisputed Truth” is a great album, and although it’s nothing you haven’t heard before; it’s taking an established style and furthering it by playing with heart and conviction and in he process paying tribute to the scene and everyone that came before them. CS
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To The Lions- “Baptism Of Fire” Good Fellow Records
Featuring former members of Grade and Confine, To The Lions is a bar room brawl of hardcore raw emotion. Down beat tempos fuse with off-time drumming check points to confuse the nodding head of the crowd. Vocally it’s nothing unheard of in the hardcore arena, but does offer promising lyrics if you’re feeling the music enough to research them. Personally I couldn’t find a lot of diversity among songs to dub this album interesting, although it quite solid overall. The guitars tend to stick to a steady crunch with out deviating much aside from a few nicely executed scales. To someone like myself, I need more experimenting, but to the hardcore scene this should fit the mold nicely. PM
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V/A- Our Impact Will Be Felt: A Tribute To Sick Of It All Abacus Recordings
I normally will not review compilations or tribute albums as it is hard to cover every single track by every single band on the damn things. But when you receive this album, a tribute to the best hardcore band of all time, you have to make some sort of effort. Its awesome hearing tons of old school Sick Of It All tracks done in the respective styles of each band covering them. I couldn’t possibly get into them all but my favorite tracks on this album are: ‘Good Lookin’ Out’ (Bouncing Souls), ‘Friends Like You’ (Kill Your Idols) and ‘Goatless’ (Suicide Machines). This album showcases the most poignant songs in the legendary NYHC band’s vast catalogue, and with twenty different bands covering their tunes you’re bound to find a couple of tracks that knock your socks off. This album is a perfect starting point for the new SOIA fan or the perfect companion to the already established collection of the most grizzled devotee. If you don’t like this album, chances are you just don’t like Sick Of it All and in that case you should probably just go hang yourself. No, I’m kidding…don’t do that; just seriously reevaluate your musical choices. This is just one more piece of evidence showing that it’s Sick Of It All’s world, we’re just living in it. CS
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Track A Tiger- We Moved Like Ghosts Deep Elm Records
Does anyone remember Blind Mellon? I think this is their second coming. Track A Tiger is an excellent blend of melodic hardships and desperate vocal patterns. Along with being uniquely calming they are also very versatile in a sense that this album would do well in may groups. The underline theme is 'beautiful depression' and they deliver it well. Acoustic riffs seem to mold in precise moments of digital ambience, all the while keeping a dominate beat. From beautiful drag to uplifting beat accompanied with southing vocal....I'm staring to feel the love here, and I don't mind it so much. It's especially sexy when a random girl speaks in French over the music. Color me enlightened. PM
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Kill Your Idols- Something Started Here Lifeline Records
“Something Started Here” is a collection of rarities and tracks from compilations and split records and is an awesome record but a bittersweet one as Kill You Idols, after eleven years of rocking crowds and demolishing stages have called it quits. This band was truly one of the greats, playing speedy old style New York hardcore with a healthy dose of grit and guts. Although I own a good portion of the songs on this album on other split albums and the like, this record is still a must have for all the rare tracks and cover songs. There’s not a whole lot I can say about this great band that hasn’t been said before, but if you like your hardcore with tons of integrity and heart and no pretentiousness…do yourself a favor and pick this up. CS
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Look Mexico- This Is Animal Music Lujo Records
A myriad of melodies makes for a busty indie rock album, and can be describes as "tin can". That's right emo kids "tin can". Adopt that as your new vernacular. It's not bad if you're stoned and easy amused on a Sunday afternoon on your couch. Although jazzy at times, it too one-dimensional and rarely strays from tempo or style. Vocals are expectable. The vocalist has a good ear for harmonies but is at times flat, but it doesn't effect the over all production. The album become a little more diverse and interesting as it drags on. Look Mexico may make a name for them selves yet. PM
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Before Their Eyes-S/T Rise Records www.myspace.com/beforetheireyes All eyes to the stage, Hawthorne Heights has some new completion lyrically speaking. Derived of a redundant vocal strand this guy sounds as monotone as Ben Stein in Ferris Bueller's Day Off. Guitar work isn't lacking but becomes A Panic at the Disco version of leftover Dime Bag Daryl riffs. All things being even these guys aren't shabby for your typical emo band. The very best thing about this album is the art via Derek Hess. PM
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The Ergs- Upstairs/ Downstairs Dirtnap Records
Usually, when I hear the term pop-punk, I cower in the corner like a crust punk from bars of Dial soap. It conjures up bad memories of Blink 182 douchebaggery and thoughts of preteens shopping at Hot Topic. Ugh. Thankfully, The Ergs are more akin to the punk styling’s of greats like Screeching Weasel and Descendents; than bands like Bowling For Soup, which lowers your I.Q. more and more with every listen and leaves a foul taste in my mouth. This record is fun, up beat and unapologetically quirky and is a great escape from the doldrums of uppity emo rockers and frat boy metalcore asswipes. While the vocals were a bit too nasally for my liking at first, I quickly started to see their appeal and began to thirst for them in due time. It fits the music perfectly and now I couldn’t imagine why I didn’t like them in the first place. I’ve purposefully stayed off the pop-punk radar for quite awhile and because of this record will now go out and perform some reconnaissance missions to gain more insight into The Ergs and the magnificent noise they make. I don’t know why but I don’t feel so dorky wearing my glasses while listening to this album. CS
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