KARATE HIGH SCHOOL: Arcade Rock: CD
I’m willing to bet I got this, because I’m pretty nerdy, and have been a subscriber to Nintendo Power since Elementary School (and I’m not in ANY school anymore). However, here’s my problem with this: like other self-proclaimed “video-game rock” groups, there’s nothing to do with video games here, other than weird, often out of place keyboard sound effects, and ONE line I could pick up, going something like “If only I had a password to fix everything with you”. Other than that, this is screamo that I’d expect to see opening up the Nintendo Fusion tour. If you want REAL video game music, start with The Advantage. Otherwise, if you’re going to try to pull this shtick, be prepared to back it up. When someone writes a concept record about the story behind EarthBound, then we’ll talk. – Joe Evans III (Elevator) [Jersey Beat]
KITTY AND THE MANGES: Joey’s Song: 7”
As the name implies, it’s a 7” from The Manges from Italy, with Kitty Kowalski singing. Three pop punk songs, including one song each from the band and Kitty, plus a Cindi Lauper cover. If you’re into pop punk, there’s no reason you wouldn’t like this, especially considering the effort It’s Alive puts into its records (this record alone came on colored vinyl, and included a free poster). Awesome. –Joe Evans III (It’s Alive) [Razorcake]
LA CACAHOUETTE: Cocaine Unicorn b/w Help Is Automatic: 7”
“IT’S NOT A UNICORN; IT’S A HORSE, WITH A SWORD IN ITS HEAD.” I make that reference on account that this is a decent bit of indie rock, that I could easily see being used on some prime time hit if they were just a tad more “mainstream” (read as “hipster”). –Joe Evans III (All Things Ordinary) [Razorcake]
LANDS ON FIRE: Self-titled: CD
My experience with this record: I make the twenty minute walk to the drug store, and listen to this. From the name/cover art, I’m guessing it’s going to be some form of metal. Track one starts, and there’s like a little flamenco intro, does this mean it’s going to quick turn into some sort of crazy black and/or death metal? The metal sounding part comes, but it’s kind of standard, nothing too crazy. As it goes on, it sounds like one of those “big/scenester” type bands that looks like a modern hair metal band, but more listenable. But there’s something else that’s weird; the subtle upstrokes, the occasional flamenco part, is there a joke here? Is this band secretly mocking all of these MTV17 hipster bands? I mean, the music isn’t terrible, and there’s some lines about over consumption, so it’s not just “Wah wah” tripe. Seriously, I hope there’s somewhat of a non-serious element to it, because I did laugh. –Joe Evans III (Fallen Angel) [Razorcake]
LEE MONSTER: No World Order: 2xCD-R
This looked like a hand made indie hip hop record at first, and while there’s some rapping, it feels like more of an art project, with all sorts of different stuff, a decent bit instrumental, some fairly political stuff too. Pretty cool, though two CD’s worth of stuff is a bit lengthy for me. –Joe Evans III (Self-released) [Razorcake]
LEFTY LOOSIE: 100 Miles An Hour!!: LP
Previously, Lefty Loosie bridged the gap between The Soviettes and Pinhead Gunpowder (I don’t know if there was much of a gap to begin with, but they still bridged it). Now, this LP lives up to its title; while the heartfelt lyrics are still there, the rock is amped up to full speed, kinda like if Bent Outta Shape chugged a bunch of Buzz Cola and admitted they owned records that WEREN’T by The Replacements. This record is as perfect for a warm summer night as it is for drinking beers after a breakup.–Joe Evans III (Repulsion) [Razorcake]
LEFTY LOOSIE/PEAR OF THE WEST: Split: 7”
I can’t take credit for the best description I’ve ever heard of Lemuria; “They’re like if Discount and Jawbreaker had babies”. The only thing I’d like to add is if said babies played with The Weakerthans’ kids as well. It’s great, indie-punk, I’ve already listened to their side a good five times in a row. Kind Of Like Spitting strikes me as Futurama’s beloved Randy starting a weird art-rock band, though there’s a touch of The Thermals on one song which is cool. This is more than worth it for Lemuria alone. – Joe Evans III (Art Of The Underground) [Jersey Beat]
LIFETIME: Self-Titled: CD
Man, talk about some pressure; Reviewing the comeback record of the band who went from being totally hated amongst New Brunswick basements to playing at the Meadowlands Sports Complex. Can I personally say “Man, I saw them way back, you know, when they REALLY MEANT something”? No. Can I say “The new Lifetime record has some great, incredibly catchy songs that make you want to start singing along almost immediately, before you can even figure out the words”? Yes. When it comes down to it, this record is what it is, an overall pretty great collection (not FLAWLESS, but it’s still really good) that doesn’t waste any time. Personally speaking, I think the best thing to hope for is that kids that are into Fallout Boy will discover this record, check out Lifetime, get into Lifetime, and eventually figure out there’s cooler stuff out there than paying $30 to see Fallout Boy from a mile away. – Joe Evans III (Decaydance) [Jersey Beat]
LIVEFASTDIE: Bandana Thrash Record: CD
First thing’s first, this isn’t thrash, it’s just middle of the pack, trashy garage punk. By the middle of it, it sounds like nothing but Green Day’s novelty songs that are written and sung by Tré Cool (admit it, you know what I mean), with tons of distortion added to everything, for some sort of effect. It’s not awful, but if you want truly shocking/rocking garage punk from New York City, you’re way better off with The Shemps. – Joe Evans III (Dead Beat) [Jersey Beat]
THE LOST ATOMS: Self Titled: CDR
Like most of us, shortly after I got into punk, I wanted to start the “ULTIMATE BEST PUNK BAND EVER” (Basically playing punk, ska, and hardcore, like, well, EVERYONE), and had that band actually ever successfully formed, it probably would have sounded like this. The Lost Atoms sound like a funny pop punk band who occasionally tries to come off as Against All Authority to be taken more seriously, as well as to keep ska alive. They wouldn’t be my first choice to listen to, but they’re not terrible, not to mention they actually got a band going which is much more than I can say.-Joe Evans III (Demolish Music) [Jersey Beat]
LOUIS TULLY: I Was A Dog Once: 7” EP
Retro-ish lo-fi garage punk, that’s as minimalist as it is arty. First thing I instantly liked about this: NES controller on the back of the artwork Second thing I instantly liked about this: First track title is a Ghostbusters reference (“Don’t Cross The Streams”). Wasn’t familiar with them before, but now I’m a fan, and will check out more from this band. –Joe Evans III (Repulsion) [Razorcake]
LOVEDRUG: Pretend You’re Alive: CD
Slow, mostly dreary indie rock, though there’s a song or two that are more upbeat, to the level of “Melancholy, modern style punk pop”. It sounds like the big inspiration are ladies (oddly enough the singer’s voice sounds oddly like the lady from The Dolly rots) and the relationships with them. Plus, I think this is a major label reissue of one an older record, which is pretty weak. It must be a rainy day in the OC.-Joe Evans III (Militia Group/Columbia) [Jersey Beat]
LOVE SONGS: Hot Buns (The Sequel to the Theme of the Sequel to Top Gun): 7”
I wish more bands were like Love Songs. I’m at a point if I go out to see a band, I want to see a SHOW, and these guys deliver, full ‘80s heavy metal meets Hickey attack and all. The A-side claims to be the sequel to the theme of the sequel to Top Gun, and, well, it’s just that. Don’t be mad at me for not being able to expand on it more than that, be happy there’s a band that will actually sit down, think of, and execute an idea like that. The B-side is a more standard number, which I’m fairly sure isn’t sung by Craig Ums, but still great. Pick this up, as well as their underrated full lengths. –Joe Evans III (Thrillhouse) [Razorcake]
LUDICRA: Fex Urbis Lex Orbis: CD
Here’s my complaint with black metal: The whole “this is the most heaviest, darkest, extremist music ever” shtick is usually so over the top that most everything it produces ends up being pretty lame. Here’s what I like about Ludicra: They play incredibly brutal metal, but, well, it’s good. There’s a little too much of the too-growly vocals initially, but it gets better shortly after, and I didn’t even mind it after the third listen. This is great for those wanting to get into some underground metal, to those starting to get bored with the genre. – Joe Evans III (Alternative Tentacles) [Jersey Beat]
MCCALL, TRIS: The Open Secret: CD
I don’t imagine most people reading this have any idea who Tris McCall is, but I’ve been a decent fan since the first time I happened to catch him live back a few years ago. As a Jersey City local and constant arts advocate, Tris has been writing songs about what he knows and loves (New Jersey, and its scenery, politics, culture, etc) and has been performing them in various incarnations, from striped down to larger backing bands. This CD in particular contains a live, solo piano performance in
MEASURE [SA], THE: One Chapter In The Book: LP
It’s funny, I’ve gotten more and more into the Measure as time has gone on, but I’ve missed out on the bulk of their 7”s. Fortunately for me, now I have all of them, on one, theoretically larger 7” (hey, a 12” IS larger than a 7”). Now, most of the material here has been reviewed here before, so I’m going to blatantly cheat and say to read those/better reviews to get an idea of the sound (though I don’t think I’d called them a pop punk band). But, since design has been a prominent element with this band, I will say that this whole thing looks GORGEOUS, from the cover, to the swirled vinyl, to the bonus silk screened 7” (which rules if you can get it!), to the point where it makes this worth owning even if you DO own all these songs already. –Joe Evans III (Kiss of Death) [Razorcake]
MEASURE [SA], THE: Songs About People…And Fruit N’ Shit: EP
MEAT DEPRESSED: Fat, Drunk & Stoopid: CD
Wow, I didn’t realize the dudes that always hang out in the bar in town all night after work had a Queers-core band. – Joe Evans III (Good Cop Bad Cop) [Jersey Beat]
MODERN MACHINES, THE: Atama Ga Onara: TAPE
Oh man, I almost feel bad for reviewing this; it’s a homemade compilation of various 7”/split/comp tracks, not to mention the last songs that Hanson played on. Oh yeah, and the songs are fucking amazing. This is even still pretty cool to have, even if you already have all the other records these songs are on. – Joe Evans III (Dingus) [Razorcake]
MODERN MACHINES, THE: Take It, Somebody!: CD
I saw this coming from a mile away anyway, but this record is great. Whenever people talk about The Modern Machines, the Hüsker Dü and Replacements are inevitable, but “Take It, Somebody!” finds the band really coming into their own poppy, classic/rock’n’roll inspired punk. I want to go a little crazy, and say to imagine a punked out Beatles (or perhaps The Jam, depending how you want to look at it), putting out a solid record with the occasional foray into Johnny Cash territory, as well as excessive rocking. Heck, there’s tons of interesting stuff here, even without any of that. As of right now, this is my record of the year. I’d say “recommended” if it wasn’t essential. (side note, the CD version is on Dirtnap, while the LP is on Recess records) – Joe Evans III (Dirtnap) [Jersey Beat]
MONIKERS/BANNER PILOT: Split: 7”
Monkikers: Kinda Jawbreaker-y and Lawrence Arms-ish mid tempo, obscuro pop punk. Oh, and on repeated listens, I thought the vocals sounded somewhat like The Connie Dungs, just less like a black metal dude trying to do pop punk. I liked it. Banner Pilot: They sound a little poppier here than on the EP, and ultimately more like their own band. And that’s a good thing. It’s like Fred Sanford – Straight up!–Joe Evans III (Kiss Of Death) [Razorcake]
MY BITTER END: The Renovation: CD
Ok, I won’t lie: My first reaction upon seeing this was a Tom Scharpling/”Best Show” type “Mmhooooo-booooyyyyyy…”, figuring this was going to be some mall emo that was trying to pass themselves off as “big toughies”. But, then I put it on, and suddenly I’m thinking “WOAH! There’s double bass pedals! And crazy finger tapping! This is nuts!” Now, there were a few moments on this record that’ll make me have to consider this “metal-core” instead of just straight up metal, but aside from dragging on a little bit by the end, it’s a pretty solid record. I’m totally playing this to 1) Fuck with people, and 2) Get myself psyched up, by listening to it in the back of my car and punching the front seat, all Dwight from “The Office” style. – Joe Evans III (Uprising) [Jersey Beat]
NERVE SCHEME, THE: Self-Titled: CDEP
A few songs of Bad Religion/early to mid ‘90s style Epitaph punk rock, like I’d expect to hear on one of the old Punk-O-Rama comps. It’s ok. –Joe Evans III (Jailhouse) [Razorcake]
NEW MEXICAN DISASTER SQUAD: Don’t Believe: CD
These guys have been around for a while but I haven’t actually heard before until this. Luckily, this is just what I’m looking for right now: modern punk/hardcore that’s fast, angry, a touch of melody, and everything so loud that even the vocals are distorted. If you’re a fan of bands like Strike Anywhere and Paint It Black, you’re going to like this too. It’s the same sound, and this band’s on the same level too. This isn’t anything new, but still really good. – Joe (Jade Tree) [Razorcake]
NEUROTIC SWINGERS: Sexy & Mysterious: CD
Pretty cool garage rock from France, but I’m not sure (I had bad luck in French class after getting caught climbing out the window). This seems like this would be a good intro for someone getting into this sort of thing, it’s catchy but not way out there like some other bands of the genre. The production was a little slick than usual for this kind of record, but no more than something you’d get from Fat or Epitaph. Fans of The Briefs should check this out.-Joe Evans III (Lollipop) [Jersey Beat]
NONE MORE BLACK: This Is Satire: CD
Kid Dynamite broke up. Deal with it. Jason Shevchuk wants to do something different, so they’re doing something different, not “Even Shorter, Even Faster, Even Louder”. This isn’t weirdly experimental, but it’s still fairly “all over the map” musically speaking. It’s not perfect, but I say that because they’re trying a lot of new stuff (this one is noticeably different from the first), and they’ll only improve on it from here. What I’M upset about is that I can’t figure out which song titles are Seinfeld references. – Joe Evans III (Fat Wreck) [Jersey Beat]
ONLY CRIME: Virulence: CD
Here’s another recent punk rock super group, which features members of Good Riddance (who I was kinda into in high school), Bane (who I wasn’t really into much in high school), and Descendents (who I was way into in high school). As you can imagine, this sounds like a culmination of all the members previous bands mixed together, and I’ll say that it’s best moments are like if later era Black Flag got into a fight with later era ALL songs, and completely beat the shit out of them (but did so in the best possible way), leaving you with something that keeps a great balance between catchy frantic pop punk, that are still a bit pissed off and unsettling, yet keep a decent groove, and frankly are just a bit fucked up (again; in the best possible way). I’m glad this got sent my way. – Joe Evans III (Fat Wreck) [Razorcake]
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