Music Reviews - July 2004
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Probot - Probot
Southern Lord Records Wowsers... I knew Dave Grohl had a taste for crappy Metal, but I didn’t think it was this bad. And the kinda funny part is that most of these songs could have been, or maybe were Foo Fighters songs, or maybe Queens Of The Stone Age songs. I mean, this is a Metal album... where are the double kicks at dammit? Where’s Dave Lombardo when you need him? Heh heh heh. There’s a lot of slow ass songs on here, but the few fast ones sound OK, they’re just reminiscent of all that late 80’s crossover crap that I wasn’t a big fan of. But the track with Mike Dean from C.O.C.... is pretty good (Access Denied) and the song with Lemmy from Motörhead is great (Shake Your Blood), but just because Lemmy is on it. The rest of the album is just crappy metal. If that’s what you’re into, then Probot has just what you need. Buy and enjoy. |
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Descendents - 'Merican
Fat Wreck Chords After a way too long hiatus, the Descendents return to lay claim to the title that’s rightfully belongs to them, the title of BEST POP PUNK BAND EVER. So many pretenders nowadays just rip off what the Descendents have been doing for years (over 20 to be exact), and to hear a great band like them do the genre justice is truly a pleasure to these ears. There’s 4 songs listed (one secret song of course) and the first 2 are slated to be on the new LP Cool To Be You, but the last 3 are available on this single only, so if you’re a fan you better grab this ASAP to get yourself hyped on the latest album from the Descendents in 7 friggin years! This EP is classic Descendents, and that’s all you need to know. Same lineup as Everything Sux... recorded in the same studio... and it sounds just as awesome. Seek out at any cost. |
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WARPed Tour '04 compilation
EMI Music These things were all over the ground at the WARPed Tour this year, and my friend Pek grabbed one for me to check out. And after popping it into my CD player and giving it a listen, I wish he would of left it wherever he found it. If the bands don't sound like NOFX, they sound like My Chemical Romance or Black Rebel Motorcycle Club... booooooo. Yellowcard has a "special unreleased acoustic version" of their big hit My Way on here, which I guess is the only reason to keep this wretched CD. Gotta have something to hook the kids with, right? The Ima Robot song is pretty cool (Here Come The Bombs), sounding like Johnny Rotten fronting Devo, or maybe a more rocking Gary Newman. It's the only redeeming song on here. The rest are absolute shite. |
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Dayglo Abortions - Holy Shiite!
God Records Nice and dirty sounding record from this legendary raucous raising band from Victoria, B.C. Canada. Lots of anti-U.S.A. lyrics on here, but it's to be expected in these George Bush years. There's a song on here that is an exact rip-off of the Ramones Commando called Christina Bin Laden which is really funny and the rest of the songs cover all the usual Dayglo Abortions subjects like drinking (Let's Get Drunk), fucking (Surfer Girl), boobs (Release The Hostages) and more drinking (How Low Will You Go). Most of the songs are really catchy, sing-along mindless fun punk and it's great that this band is still around offending the masses some 20+ years after they formed. Now if only they'd play in the States again. Then I'd be able to hear some of these excellent songs in a live environment. Fucking aye! Nice release from the Dayglo Abortions. |
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Of Faith And Fire - Self Titled
Ooofafooo Records Really fucking amazing debut from Of Faith And Fire. The music along with the insightful lyrics make for a great package that only starts to hint at the great possibilities this band is capable of, once they get a drummer that can keep pace with the 1-2 combination of Phillip and Lindsey. Man, that couple are tight as fuck musically, and serve as a great foundation for Bobby to pontificate upon matters great and small. The back up vocals (supplied by Marco & Lance from Faded Gray) perfectly go along with Bobby's, and only emphasize what a great vocal sound he has. The whole CD sounds killer, Phillip's guitars, Lindsey's bass work, all top notch, and if you're into bands like Minor Threat or Sick Of It All, you'll definitely be into Of Faith And Fire. Critical CD. Can't wait for the next one. |
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Manic Hispanic - Mijo Goes To Jr. College
BYO Records I hate that Manic Hispanic only put out albums every so often. I could seriously listen to them for hours on end, and never get bored with any of their classic songs, which this release has in spades, hombre. My Homeboy Is A Joto, Code Brown, Trippin' On Mi Ruca, Tio's Got A Secret... if you can understand what Gabby is saying in these songs, you'll be laughing your ass off! But watch out, 'cuz it's very infectious. The re-makes of all these classic Punk Rock tunes sound killer, and Steve Soto must be having a blast playing guitar on all these riffs. It sounds great, and I can't wait to see these vatos live somewhere. Buy this album and impress your friends by showing them how down you are esé... lol. Manic Hispanic are a great band, and this is a great album. One of this years best. |
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Social Distortion - Sex, Love And Rock 'N Roll
Epic Records Wow... not at all what I was expecting, but that's not a bad thing. The latest release from Social Distortion sounds fucking great, and Mike Ness has written some really catchy songs that will stick in your head for days. Johnny 2 Bags does a commendable job on rhythm guitar, and Chalo is pretty good on the drums, but Chuck Biscuits would of made the songs better. Remember, a band is only as good as their drummer. ;-) The opening song Reach For The Sky is killer, and so is I Wasn't Born To Follow, Live Before You Die and Don't Take Me For Granted which was written about the late Dennis Danell. Angel's Wings has both an electric and an acoustic version on here, but I'm not sure why. The theme of this album seems to be Death, Love Lost, and Memories, which is pretty much a Social Distortion expectancy nowadays. The album sounds great and if you're a fan you won't be disappointed. Good stuff. |
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Guttermouth - Eat Your Face
Epitaph Records This CD is really rocking, and is much better than Guttermouth's previous release. It sounds good musically, and lyrically it is still the same ol' retarded juvenile rants and raves about drunk driving, politics, neighbors babies crying too loud and Huntington Beach assholes. Mark's vocals sound as snotty as ever, and Scott's & Jamie's guitar styling power the band through some classical songs like Ticket To Quebec, Surfs Up Asshole, My Neighbor's Baby and Octopus Hairpiece. I loved the song Guadalahabra (The La Habra Spirit) because I know almost everyone that's name checked in that song. I grew up with most of them, and I'm glad that some of them are still alive. I can't believe that these guys are my friends, who told me they were gonna start a punk rock band called Guttermouth. I laughed my ass off then, and I'm still laughing my ass off now. Great release. |
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Green Day - American Idiot EP
Warner Brothers Records The day has finally arrived. Not only does this single kick some major ass, but it has me HYPED on the upcoming album of the same name. This single sounds more along the veins of Insomniac, which is probably their most ignored album. I'm sure you've all seen the video and got a glimpse of how explosive and downright angry Green Day are again, and I for one am a happy idiot because of it. These 3 songs have great riffs, lots of swearing and some nice drumming from Tre Cool as well. How long has it been since we had anything new from this phenomenal band? Too long if you ask me. American Idiot is a fast and furious political rant which is much needed in these right wing Bush years. |
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The Killers - Hot Fuss
Island Records Hee hee hee... I slagged off their Somebody Told Me single big time, but I decided to give their major label debut an objective listen in order to say a few things about this band. I don't care that people who weren't even born in the 80's think that this band is revolutionary and genius. What bothers me about this band is that it's a product, sort of like boy bands. Bands that sound just like this are a dime a dozen, and are really popular right now. I could go on and on talking shit about this band, but what's the point? If you like it you like it, and you know all about it. I just can't wait until the trend blows over and all of the Killers fans realize just how stupid they were for ever liking this crappy band. Fodder for the ignorant. |
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The Hives - Tyrannosaurus Hives
Interscope Records I like the Hives music. I hate them personality wise, but I like their music. In interviews these guys come across as such stuck up pricks that it's not even funny. But it is all about the music. It's not the most original stuff out there, but it is good Rock music, and I'm all about the Rock music. Bands that are following the whole retro rock sound are at least good for listening to while trying to figure out where they cribbed that riff from, which you'll be doing a lot on this CD. Listening to songs like the single Idiot Walk, Diabolic Scheme, Abra Cadaver and A Little More For Little You, you'll definitely get the feeling that you've heard these riffs before, but it doesn't matter. The Hives put their own little touches and flourishes on the songs like strings and echo effects to make it all their own. This album is a bit more rocking than their last release Veni, Vidi, Vicious and a lot more catchier. If you're looking for some caffeine fueled catchy Rock and Roll, look no further then the Hives, and make sure to see them live whenever you can. Great stuff. |
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Ima Robot - Self Titled
Virgin Records I heard this band on a WARPed compilation doing a song called Here Come The Bombs (which is also on this album) and was intrigued from the word go. Very XTC - Modern Lovers in style, and this stuff is more addictive than crack! Imagine the (International) Noise Conspiracy mixed in with P.I.L. and you may have an idea of what this band sounds like. Dynamite, A Is For Action, Alive and Philosophee just show how creative, fun, energetic and dynamic this band is. The lyrics are very well written and imaginative too. (And get your free autographed knee pads / For the Homies, we got autographed ski masks / Hell no we can't get you no free pass / But if you want, you can follow us into Rehab), I find myself singing the lyrics all the time! I don't get too hyped on many new bands these days, but Ima Robot is definitely an eclectic mix of some diverse musical styles, and I dig it. They got an identifiable sound and they are very unique in a vapid musical landscape full of banality. Seek this out at any cost. |
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Green Day - American Idiot
Warner Brothers Records I don't even know if this is available or not, but I have it and I can't stop listening to it. It's really fucking good, full of slinky riffs, catchy vocal harmonies, fast and furious drumming and some excellent bass runs as well. Hell, there's even some Emo piano sounding stuff on here! Green Day? Bandwagon jumpers? Boooo. It seems like they were trying to expand their musical boundaries on this release, as there are tons of studio tricks and effects on here Jesus Of Suburbia is 9 MINUTES LONG!!! WTF? I bailed out after 5 minutes. If I want length and pomposity in my music, I'll listen to Queen, thank you. Boulevard Of Broken Dreams is a complete Oasis rip off. Booooooooooooooooooo. Matter of fact, I spent a good chunk of time figuring out where they copped this riff from and that riff from! Sad. And they really shouldn't of covered I Fought The Law; it's not even as good as the original, and THE CLASH comparisons will rear their ugly head again as it did early in their career (Billie Joe is no Joe Strummer). This is Green Day's Sandinista album... you have been warned! It's a bit dodgy. Me personally? I love it. Great album. |
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Rudimentary Peni - Archaic
Southern Records Disturbing... glorious... haunting... demented... downright creepy... angry... hypnotic... brilliant... evil... astounding... insane. If it sounds like I'm drooling over this release from this incredible band, it's because I am. Rudimentary Peni are in my Top 5 Favorite Bands Ever. If you didn't like The Underclass or Echoes Of Anguish then you probably won't begin to understand the beauty of this release either, which is too bad for you. It's fucking amazing. 12 songs in 15 minutes? Punk fucking Rock. In Crematorium Flames sounds like it could of been on the Death Church LP... it's that good. So is House Of The Void. That song could of been a Farce out-take it's so first-rate. The lyrics are of a more personal nature this time around instead of politics, and the musical backing from Grant & Jon is just unparalleled. One And All is a great song, and the hook from Mercy Of Slumber has been stuck in my head for days (To sleep forever...) Rehearsal For Mortality is one of the heaviest, most foreboding sounding things they have ever done. This album is seriously remarkable, and you should already own it. If you don't... what are you waiting for? Get this immediately! |
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Jane's Addiction - 3 Days
Sanctuary Records So I’m sitting at home bored off my ass one night after drinking at Steiner’s, and I wanted to hear some Jane's Addiction, since it’s like the only cool band they have in the jukebox there, and I remember that I have this DVD that I bought a while back and never watched. So I throw it in and just wretch... this DVD is seriously a piece of shit. It’s got some great footage of the band on their past Reunion Tour, when they released Kettle Whistle, and when they had Flea playing bass for them. It’s supposed to be a documentary, but it’s so phony and staged that it looks foolish. Even the shenanigans backstage looked like they were directed. And the songs aren’t shown in their entirety! On great songs like Ted, Just Admit It…, or 3 Days, they cut away to this stupid documentary film maker for his 2 cents, or to show how he had to "sneak" past Security just to get into the gig. I mean WTF? Just show the band playing the damn songs! The interviews don’t tell you shit, unless you enjoy watching Perry talking with his Rabbi about the suffering of the Jews, or hearing about how poor Flea can’t get anything to eat, and the extra footage on this DVD is just more of the "filmmaker" and his woes, with a couple of cool shots of the band getting drunk and warming up backstage. The footage from Las Vegas brought back a lot of memories though (at The Aladdin in ‘97, were you there? I was!) so that part of the DVD I enjoyed, but the rest? Booooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo |
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The Clash - London Calling (25th Anniversary Edition)
Epic Records If you don't know how phenomenal this album is... if you don't know what historical significance this album carries, or if you don't know how this record changed the music community and the world in general, then go kill yourself now. This is the album that earned the Clash the motto of THE ONLY BAND THAT MATTERS. The re-mastered album sounds incredible now... much fuller and with loads more depth, and you can actually hear all the little things that were previously buried or a bit muddy in the mix. But the real gem is the second disc called The Vanilla Tapes. Recorded at their rehearsal space, to hear the songs in their raw, unpolished form is a life changing event. made even more so by the fact that there's 5 brand new previously unheard songs from those sessions. Comes with a bonus DVD that has a movie made by Don Letts called The Last Testament - The Making Of London Calling which features interviews with the entire band and Kosmo Vinyl about making the album. There's also some killer live footage from that time in Clash history that is simply breathtaking. As if that wasn't enough they also included the 3 promo videos made for this album! WTF? This release seriously made me cry when I got it. The pictures in the accompanying booklet are both stunning and beautiful. Has it been 25 years already? Fuck. To own this momentous piece of musical history is to be given the keys to the musical kingdom of glory. An absolute necessity. |
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