Everybody Out! – Everybody Out!
Record Label: Taang! Records
Release Date: 2008
Formed by ex-Dropkick Murphys guitarist Rick Barton, Everybody Out! continue in the footsteps of his former band and deliver an album full of punk rock with hints of ska and celtic folk. Their self-titled debut features Lost City Angels singer Sweeney Todd with the rest of the band being comprised by former members of On Broken Wings.
On the intro, Sweeney belts out vocals with a croon that bring to mind Joe Strummer with lyrics that set the tone for the album: “Will we all just watch/And sit down in the back/ Or will we face our fears/and finally learn how to act.” The lyrics are consistently insightful and strong throughout the whole album.
Unlike other political punk bands like Anti-Flag, they stay away from blaming game and instead suggest getting involved and asking yourself what you can do to help solve the problems of the world: “Can’t put the blame on one imbecile/We must change or face our own peril/We cannot wait/We’re not invincible.” Put these socially aware and emotionally charged lyrics over well crafted punk rock and you get a very enjoyable album with few noticeable faults.
One disappointment was on “Billy Cole,” a folk/celtic ballad that features mandolins, accordions, piano, slide guitar, saxophones, trumpets, and trombones. While the song is arranged beautifully, the story that is being told never really reaches a satisfying conclusion. It captures the listener by telling us about an abandoned boy who lost his parents early and a girl spoiled rotten by her parents and how they both grew up quite differently but both ended up as “lost souls.” The song continues on to talk of other characters but never seems to reach the emotion set forth by the preceding lyrics.
While this album is pretty much what you would expect from a former Dropkick Murphy member, it is also a breath of fresh air. Everybody Out! succeeds by giving listeners a slice of working class punk rock without being overly preachy and leaves you feeling hopeful for the future to come. However, with the recent departure of Sweeney from the group, it will be interesting to see what the Boston based band will cook up for their upcoming 2009 release.
Tracklist:
1. Intro/Wide Awake
2. Everybody Out
3. Ghettoblaster
4. Jack the Lad
5. All I Got
6. Truth
7. Yeah Yeah Yeah Yeah
8. Billy Cole
9. Transistor Jim
10. No Runaway
11. Avenue
12. Evil Place/Revenge of Sweeney Todd
For Fans of: Dropkick Murphys, Sex Pistols, One Man Army, The Copyrights, The Mighty Mighty Bosstones, Streetdogs, The Lawrence Arms
www.myspace.com/everybodyoutboston
Sunday, January 18, 2009
Sanctity - Road to Bloodshed
Sanctity - Road to Bloodshed
Release Date: April 24, 2007
Record Label: Roadrunner
Listen at Myspace
I first came to know of this band when I went to see Protest the Hero with Trivium and The Sword. Sanctity played first. This band, on the outside, is the normal, everyday metal/thrash band of the 90's complete with a charismatic lead singer/guitarist in a tee-shirt and torn jeans, much like the spoof movie, Airheads. From the bass player doing a nice middle finger showing for the entire crowd to beginning a song by asking us to "join our brotherhood of destruction," this band had one purpose: to rock. And unlike the songs in Airheads, this band does rock. Hard. Next comes the release of their debut album, Road to Bloodshed.
With obvious influences of bands like Pantera, Slayer, and Megadeth, this band mixes many sounds to make a truly complete album that could appeal to fans of many types of metal. The vocal styles of Jared MaCeachern range from throaty shouts and to melodic and the occasion high Judas Priest-esque metal scream. The drumming is top notch throughout the album as well as the guitars, which feature many technical rhythms and "face melting" solos. The lyrics run along the lines of typical angst-filled metal and fit with the music and rhythms well.
The album rocks hard all the way through, starting with "Beneath the Machine," which is quite representative of the album's sound. Fast tempos, technical rhythms, furious drumwork, and blazing guitars are present all throughout this album. Sanctity do manage to mix the real heavy rough vocals with some impressive melodies that seem to make the choruses anthem-like and compliment the rest of the song well.
On the outside, this band may appear to be an average metal/thrash band, but if you look closely at their songs and musicianship, you will find something more.
Key Tracks: "Beneath the Machine," "Road to Bloodshed," "Zeppo," and "Flatline"
Tracklist
1. Beneath the Machine
2. Brotherhood of Destruction
3. Road to Bloodshed
4. Laws of Reason
5. Billy Seals
6. Zeppo
7. Beloved Killer
8. The Shape of Things
9. Flatline
10. The Rift Between
11. Seconds
12. Once Again
Release Date: April 24, 2007
Record Label: Roadrunner
Listen at Myspace
I first came to know of this band when I went to see Protest the Hero with Trivium and The Sword. Sanctity played first. This band, on the outside, is the normal, everyday metal/thrash band of the 90's complete with a charismatic lead singer/guitarist in a tee-shirt and torn jeans, much like the spoof movie, Airheads. From the bass player doing a nice middle finger showing for the entire crowd to beginning a song by asking us to "join our brotherhood of destruction," this band had one purpose: to rock. And unlike the songs in Airheads, this band does rock. Hard. Next comes the release of their debut album, Road to Bloodshed.
With obvious influences of bands like Pantera, Slayer, and Megadeth, this band mixes many sounds to make a truly complete album that could appeal to fans of many types of metal. The vocal styles of Jared MaCeachern range from throaty shouts and to melodic and the occasion high Judas Priest-esque metal scream. The drumming is top notch throughout the album as well as the guitars, which feature many technical rhythms and "face melting" solos. The lyrics run along the lines of typical angst-filled metal and fit with the music and rhythms well.
The album rocks hard all the way through, starting with "Beneath the Machine," which is quite representative of the album's sound. Fast tempos, technical rhythms, furious drumwork, and blazing guitars are present all throughout this album. Sanctity do manage to mix the real heavy rough vocals with some impressive melodies that seem to make the choruses anthem-like and compliment the rest of the song well.
On the outside, this band may appear to be an average metal/thrash band, but if you look closely at their songs and musicianship, you will find something more.
Key Tracks: "Beneath the Machine," "Road to Bloodshed," "Zeppo," and "Flatline"
Tracklist
1. Beneath the Machine
2. Brotherhood of Destruction
3. Road to Bloodshed
4. Laws of Reason
5. Billy Seals
6. Zeppo
7. Beloved Killer
8. The Shape of Things
9. Flatline
10. The Rift Between
11. Seconds
12. Once Again
Ozma - Pasadena
Ozma - Pasadena
Release May 15, 2007
Record Label: About a Girl Records
Listen @ Myspace
When describing Ozma, it is impossible to avoid the comparisons to Weezer, but I have always thought of Ozma’s Rock and Roll Part 3 to be picking up where Weezer left off with Pinkerton. Both are two of my favorite albums of all time. Then I was let down by both bands with Ozma's Spending Time On The Borderline and everything Weezer has released since. After hearing their new album, Pasadena, all the way through, it is safe to say that Ozma is back.
The album kicks off with an oldie, “No One Needs To Know.” The newly recorded version sounds great and is followed by the first new track, “Barriers,” a great introduction to the new sound of Ozma. Next comes another old song, “Eponine,” originally released on Spending Time…, which is driven by a great rhythm section by the new drummer, Kenn Shane. Another high point of the album comes on “Heartache vs. Heartbreak,” which features guest vocals by Rachel Haden of The Rentals. “Lunchbreak (Cobras Theme)” starts out sounding like something out of a 70’s musical and then breaks into the classic Ozma sound. The album loses a bit of energy toward the end but finishes on a high note with “Underneath My Tree” and “Straight Flush.”
I must say that I was skeptical of this album after being disappointed by their last effort, but times have changed, and so have they. For me, this will be one of the most important releases in 2007 as Ozma have taken a giant step toward reaching the energy level of Rock and Roll Part 3. This album will appeal to the older fans as well as people who are just discovering them.
Key Tracks: Barriers, Heartache vs. Heartbreak, Incarnation Blues, Lunchbreak (Cobras Theme)
Tracklist
1. No One Needs To Know
2. Barriers
3. Eponine
4. Fight The Darkness
5. Heartache vs. Heartbreak
6. Incarnation Blues
7. Lunchbreak (Cobras Theme)
8. Motorology 3:39
9. I Wonder
10. Underneath My Tree
11. Straight Flush
Release May 15, 2007
Record Label: About a Girl Records
Listen @ Myspace
When describing Ozma, it is impossible to avoid the comparisons to Weezer, but I have always thought of Ozma’s Rock and Roll Part 3 to be picking up where Weezer left off with Pinkerton. Both are two of my favorite albums of all time. Then I was let down by both bands with Ozma's Spending Time On The Borderline and everything Weezer has released since. After hearing their new album, Pasadena, all the way through, it is safe to say that Ozma is back.
The album kicks off with an oldie, “No One Needs To Know.” The newly recorded version sounds great and is followed by the first new track, “Barriers,” a great introduction to the new sound of Ozma. Next comes another old song, “Eponine,” originally released on Spending Time…, which is driven by a great rhythm section by the new drummer, Kenn Shane. Another high point of the album comes on “Heartache vs. Heartbreak,” which features guest vocals by Rachel Haden of The Rentals. “Lunchbreak (Cobras Theme)” starts out sounding like something out of a 70’s musical and then breaks into the classic Ozma sound. The album loses a bit of energy toward the end but finishes on a high note with “Underneath My Tree” and “Straight Flush.”
I must say that I was skeptical of this album after being disappointed by their last effort, but times have changed, and so have they. For me, this will be one of the most important releases in 2007 as Ozma have taken a giant step toward reaching the energy level of Rock and Roll Part 3. This album will appeal to the older fans as well as people who are just discovering them.
Key Tracks: Barriers, Heartache vs. Heartbreak, Incarnation Blues, Lunchbreak (Cobras Theme)
Tracklist
1. No One Needs To Know
2. Barriers
3. Eponine
4. Fight The Darkness
5. Heartache vs. Heartbreak
6. Incarnation Blues
7. Lunchbreak (Cobras Theme)
8. Motorology 3:39
9. I Wonder
10. Underneath My Tree
11. Straight Flush
Sister Sin - Switchblade Serenade
Sister Sin – Switchblade Serenades
Record Label: Victory
Release Date: 2008
When most people think of 80’s metal, the first thing that comes to mind is the hair bands. While manufactured acts like Poison and Warrant have inspired much of today’s VH1 programming, they often cast a shadow on true metal bands like Iron Maiden, Dio, and Motorhead that were churning out classic metal albums one after another.
Sister Sin’s Switchblade Serenades sounds like it came straight out of the 80’s NWOBHM (New Wave of British Heavy Metal) movement that continues to inspire much of today’s metal music. Borrowing heavily from Judas Priest and Motorhead, the album is full of energy and angst from start to finish.
While Switchblade Serenades is not breaking any ground (which conflicts with track 4’s title), it is still an enjoyable listen for those who cherish the classic metal from the 80’s. With heavy riffing, blazing guitar solos, and in-your-face vocals, these Swedish rockers have come with one purpose – to rock!
Tracklist:
1. Beat the Street
2. Death Will Greet Us
3. One Out of Ten
4. Breaking New Ground
5. On Parole
6. Make My Day
7. Hostile Environment
8. Switchblade Serenades
9. Love/Hate
10. All Systems Go
11. Eye to Eye
For Fans of: Motorhead, Dio, Girlschool, Doro, Judas Priest, Axel Rudi Pell, Tarot
www.myspace.com/sisterssin
Record Label: Victory
Release Date: 2008
When most people think of 80’s metal, the first thing that comes to mind is the hair bands. While manufactured acts like Poison and Warrant have inspired much of today’s VH1 programming, they often cast a shadow on true metal bands like Iron Maiden, Dio, and Motorhead that were churning out classic metal albums one after another.
Sister Sin’s Switchblade Serenades sounds like it came straight out of the 80’s NWOBHM (New Wave of British Heavy Metal) movement that continues to inspire much of today’s metal music. Borrowing heavily from Judas Priest and Motorhead, the album is full of energy and angst from start to finish.
While Switchblade Serenades is not breaking any ground (which conflicts with track 4’s title), it is still an enjoyable listen for those who cherish the classic metal from the 80’s. With heavy riffing, blazing guitar solos, and in-your-face vocals, these Swedish rockers have come with one purpose – to rock!
Tracklist:
1. Beat the Street
2. Death Will Greet Us
3. One Out of Ten
4. Breaking New Ground
5. On Parole
6. Make My Day
7. Hostile Environment
8. Switchblade Serenades
9. Love/Hate
10. All Systems Go
11. Eye to Eye
For Fans of: Motorhead, Dio, Girlschool, Doro, Judas Priest, Axel Rudi Pell, Tarot
www.myspace.com/sisterssin
The Megas - Get Equipped
The Megas – Get Equipped
Record Label: Dr. Light Studios (self-released)
Release Date: Jan 2008
Tracklist:
1. The Beginning of the End (Wily’s Castle)
2. I Want to be the One (Dr-Wily 1-2)
3. A Fate Forged in Steel (Enemy Selected)
4. The Annihilation of Monsteropolis (Airman)
5. Metal Dance (Metal Man)
6. Carved From Mighty Oak (Woodman)
7. Promise of Redemption (Bubbleman)
8. Man on Fire (Heatman)
9. Blue Like You (Flashman)
10. The Quick and the Blue (Quickman)
11. Programmed to Fight (Crashman)
12. Lamentations of a War Machine (End Song)
While the majority of bands who devote their musical talents to recreating the music from the NES classics usually focus on instrumentals, The Megas break the mold and feature vocals that tell the story of Mega Man 2 to a backdrop of indie rock and power-pop. As cheesy as this may sound, the band actually pulls this off well on their debut, Get Equipped.
The album starts off by recapping the end of the first Mega Man game. A quick rendition of the stage select music is followed by a song for each of the 8 Robot Masters (Bosses). Each song contains familiar sounds from the respective stages while the lyrics are told from the evil robots’ points of view. The final song finds an introspective Mega Man pondering his existence.
If you have ever played the original Mega Man NES games, you need to check out The Megas. This is the perfect album for those who have always longed to listen to music about Mega Man. Get Equipped evokes memories of spending hours controlling the blue bomber through stages and will make you want to hook up your NES and start playing again.
For Fans Of: Mega Man 2, NES, The Advantage, The Minibosses
www.myspace.com/themegas
Record Label: Dr. Light Studios (self-released)
Release Date: Jan 2008
Tracklist:
1. The Beginning of the End (Wily’s Castle)
2. I Want to be the One (Dr-Wily 1-2)
3. A Fate Forged in Steel (Enemy Selected)
4. The Annihilation of Monsteropolis (Airman)
5. Metal Dance (Metal Man)
6. Carved From Mighty Oak (Woodman)
7. Promise of Redemption (Bubbleman)
8. Man on Fire (Heatman)
9. Blue Like You (Flashman)
10. The Quick and the Blue (Quickman)
11. Programmed to Fight (Crashman)
12. Lamentations of a War Machine (End Song)
While the majority of bands who devote their musical talents to recreating the music from the NES classics usually focus on instrumentals, The Megas break the mold and feature vocals that tell the story of Mega Man 2 to a backdrop of indie rock and power-pop. As cheesy as this may sound, the band actually pulls this off well on their debut, Get Equipped.
The album starts off by recapping the end of the first Mega Man game. A quick rendition of the stage select music is followed by a song for each of the 8 Robot Masters (Bosses). Each song contains familiar sounds from the respective stages while the lyrics are told from the evil robots’ points of view. The final song finds an introspective Mega Man pondering his existence.
If you have ever played the original Mega Man NES games, you need to check out The Megas. This is the perfect album for those who have always longed to listen to music about Mega Man. Get Equipped evokes memories of spending hours controlling the blue bomber through stages and will make you want to hook up your NES and start playing again.
For Fans Of: Mega Man 2, NES, The Advantage, The Minibosses
www.myspace.com/themegas
Dead Confederate - Wrecking Ball
Dead Confederate – Wrecking Ball
Record Label: TAO Records
Release Date: September 16, 2008
Georgia’s Dead Confederate play their own brand of rock that lies somewhere between stoner and psychedelic rock. It’s not quite metal or progressive, but there is certainly more to be heard on Wrecking Ball than run of the mill alternative rock songs.
Hardy Morris, the 28 year old singer/guitarist, has a voice similar to Kurt Cobain or Thom Yorke. He croons soulfully over a rhythm section that chugs along to heavy riffing that brings to mind early 90’s grunge bands such as Soundgarden or Nirvana. This is contrasted by spacey, atmospheric guitar work reminiscent of Pink Floyd or Radiohead.
It is worthy to note that much of the album was recorded in single takes with little to no over dubbing. Dead Confederate’s Wrecking Ball is a purely honest record and it is almost impossible to find anything wrong with it. The album flows nicely and takes you on a ride of highs and lows that would be best enjoyed while relaxing or just spacing out.
Tracklist:
Heavy Petting
The Rat
Goner
It Was a Race
Yer Circus
All the Angels
Start Me Laughing
The News Underneath
Flesh Colored Canvas
Wrecking Ball
For Fans Of: Radiohead – Ok Computer, Nirvana – In Utero, Pink Floyd – Wish You Were Here, Hawkwind, Brand New – The Devil and God are Raging Inside Me
www.myspace.com/deadconfederate
Record Label: TAO Records
Release Date: September 16, 2008
Georgia’s Dead Confederate play their own brand of rock that lies somewhere between stoner and psychedelic rock. It’s not quite metal or progressive, but there is certainly more to be heard on Wrecking Ball than run of the mill alternative rock songs.
Hardy Morris, the 28 year old singer/guitarist, has a voice similar to Kurt Cobain or Thom Yorke. He croons soulfully over a rhythm section that chugs along to heavy riffing that brings to mind early 90’s grunge bands such as Soundgarden or Nirvana. This is contrasted by spacey, atmospheric guitar work reminiscent of Pink Floyd or Radiohead.
It is worthy to note that much of the album was recorded in single takes with little to no over dubbing. Dead Confederate’s Wrecking Ball is a purely honest record and it is almost impossible to find anything wrong with it. The album flows nicely and takes you on a ride of highs and lows that would be best enjoyed while relaxing or just spacing out.
Tracklist:
Heavy Petting
The Rat
Goner
It Was a Race
Yer Circus
All the Angels
Start Me Laughing
The News Underneath
Flesh Colored Canvas
Wrecking Ball
For Fans Of: Radiohead – Ok Computer, Nirvana – In Utero, Pink Floyd – Wish You Were Here, Hawkwind, Brand New – The Devil and God are Raging Inside Me
www.myspace.com/deadconfederate
Alkaline Trio - Agony and Irony
Alkaline Trio – Agony and Irony
Record Label: Epic
Release Date: July, 1 2008
Tracklist:
1. Calling All Skeletons
2. Help Me
3. In Vein
4. Over And Out
5. I Found A Way
6. Live Young, Die Fast
7. Love, Love, Kiss, Kiss
8. Lost and Rendered
9. Ruin It
10. Into The Night
Let me start by saying that Alkaline Trio are probably my favorite punk rock band. With their latest effort, Agony and Irony, they seem to have said so long and good-bye to the punk rock that has gotten them this far. From start to finish, this album is particularly difficult to listen to as a long-time fan of one of the most influential bands to come out of Chicago.
Matt Skiba’s vocals on the lead-off track, “Calling All Skeletons,” sound almost unrecognizable. Fortunately, this is the only song to feature the odd-sounding vocals.
“Help Me” sounds a lot like Eve 6, which is a good thing, but not if you are looking for the Alkaline Trio. The next song “In Vein” is one of the bright spots on the album. Dan’s vocals sound better than ever, though he only sings lead on only 3 of 10 songs (where it has usually been half Dan/half Matt for the last few albums).
Next, we have “Over and Out,” a ballad of sorts that starts with a nice bass line and transitions into a hard rocking chorus. “I Found Away.” is a very up-tempo song featuring a dance beat in the chorus. It seems that when bands sign to a major label, dance beats start showing up.
“Live Young, Die Fast” sounds like an AFI b-side from Decemberunderground and has the weakest music and lyrics of the album: “So live young, die fast / No one will last / So sit back and relax / Enjoy the crash that fades into black and its gone / Live young, die fast, die fast.” These are very unimaginative lyrics coming from the man who penned the epic “Fuck You Aurora.”
“Love, Love, Kiss, Kiss” is a very awkward song that might sound better if it were being played faster. Luckily, the album picks up some momentum and ends with 3 great songs.
“Lost and Rendered” and “Ruin It” sound similar to the up-tempo songs from Crimson, and help to end the album strongly. Finally, the closer, “Into the Night,” ends things with a riff that could have come right out of Good Mourning. While it certainly does not break any ground, it was nice to hear something familiar. It is interesting to note that this is the one of the first times an Alkaline Trio record has ended with an up-tempo fast song.
Even though this album is almost a complete departure from the punk rock sound of former Alkaline Trio records, it is hard to say that it was completely surprising considering Crimson. That said, the music on Agony and Irony contains some interesting compositions that are ultimately dragged down by lackluster lyrics. While they contain common topics and themes one would expect of any Alkaline Trio album, they, primarily Skiba’s, are lacking energy and come off laughable rather than emotive.
Unfortunately, the best thing about hearing Agony and Irony, is that after listening to the last track of the album in Windows Media Player, “Goodbye Forever” from the self-titled rarities collection started playing and a great big smile landed right on my face and I remembered how much I love this band. Not even 23 beers could make me forget that.
www.alkalinetrio.com
Record Label: Epic
Release Date: July, 1 2008
Tracklist:
1. Calling All Skeletons
2. Help Me
3. In Vein
4. Over And Out
5. I Found A Way
6. Live Young, Die Fast
7. Love, Love, Kiss, Kiss
8. Lost and Rendered
9. Ruin It
10. Into The Night
Let me start by saying that Alkaline Trio are probably my favorite punk rock band. With their latest effort, Agony and Irony, they seem to have said so long and good-bye to the punk rock that has gotten them this far. From start to finish, this album is particularly difficult to listen to as a long-time fan of one of the most influential bands to come out of Chicago.
Matt Skiba’s vocals on the lead-off track, “Calling All Skeletons,” sound almost unrecognizable. Fortunately, this is the only song to feature the odd-sounding vocals.
“Help Me” sounds a lot like Eve 6, which is a good thing, but not if you are looking for the Alkaline Trio. The next song “In Vein” is one of the bright spots on the album. Dan’s vocals sound better than ever, though he only sings lead on only 3 of 10 songs (where it has usually been half Dan/half Matt for the last few albums).
Next, we have “Over and Out,” a ballad of sorts that starts with a nice bass line and transitions into a hard rocking chorus. “I Found Away.” is a very up-tempo song featuring a dance beat in the chorus. It seems that when bands sign to a major label, dance beats start showing up.
“Live Young, Die Fast” sounds like an AFI b-side from Decemberunderground and has the weakest music and lyrics of the album: “So live young, die fast / No one will last / So sit back and relax / Enjoy the crash that fades into black and its gone / Live young, die fast, die fast.” These are very unimaginative lyrics coming from the man who penned the epic “Fuck You Aurora.”
“Love, Love, Kiss, Kiss” is a very awkward song that might sound better if it were being played faster. Luckily, the album picks up some momentum and ends with 3 great songs.
“Lost and Rendered” and “Ruin It” sound similar to the up-tempo songs from Crimson, and help to end the album strongly. Finally, the closer, “Into the Night,” ends things with a riff that could have come right out of Good Mourning. While it certainly does not break any ground, it was nice to hear something familiar. It is interesting to note that this is the one of the first times an Alkaline Trio record has ended with an up-tempo fast song.
Even though this album is almost a complete departure from the punk rock sound of former Alkaline Trio records, it is hard to say that it was completely surprising considering Crimson. That said, the music on Agony and Irony contains some interesting compositions that are ultimately dragged down by lackluster lyrics. While they contain common topics and themes one would expect of any Alkaline Trio album, they, primarily Skiba’s, are lacking energy and come off laughable rather than emotive.
Unfortunately, the best thing about hearing Agony and Irony, is that after listening to the last track of the album in Windows Media Player, “Goodbye Forever” from the self-titled rarities collection started playing and a great big smile landed right on my face and I remembered how much I love this band. Not even 23 beers could make me forget that.
www.alkalinetrio.com
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