Record Reviews

[Slackjaws_ate_my_brain]

How goes it, guys? Aside from surfing the net and reading in my spare time, I also write record reviews and post'em on a couple forums that I post on regularly. I have a few pals that hook me up with advanced copies of records and radio promos, so those are typically what I review. I figured that I'd poste'em here as well :

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Artist : Far From Finished
Album : Living in the Fallout
Label : People Like You Records
Year : 2007

I just got an promo copy of Far From Finished New record, "Living in the fallout". If you dug "east end of nowhere", then you won't be disappointed! The production value's been increased, the hooks are bigger, and the band is sounding great! This time around, they've downplayed the aggression a bit and let songwriting takeover. Let's go to the tape :

1. Disaster - From it's clash-esque opening guitar riff to it's "oh-so-familiar" verses, to one of the biggest, hookiest choruses of the year (complete with a chant/call back that both beckons The Business and Def Leppard at the same time), this opening track gets the blood pumping! This is one I can't wait to hear live, with a few hundred kids screaming along. My pick for best opener of the year thus far.

2. Plague - This track kicks it up a notch or 6 in the tempo department. Revisiting the typical lyrical themes of lost drunken nights, the songs kicks ass for 2 and a half minutes, while never sparing the harmonies and melodies that this band did so well on their last record. The bridge has the first bit of "actual singing" on an FFF record, but, it's done over a fuzz-boxed screaming track, so as not to go 'too sweet too fast" for it's crowd of listeners.

3. Roses and Razorblades - Don't let the emo-esque title full you. This song is a great piece of melodic street punk that would be at home on any Street Dogs or Disasters record. This actually sounds the most like their last record. It has a bittersweet chorus that some would call sappy (with harmony vocals a la later Mxpx), but i love it. This song, to me, would be the perfect lead-off single, even though, in today's musical climate, it would get zero play. The bridge, while being somewhat predictable, is great.

4. The Imposter - Opening with a guitar riff straight from a rancid record, this songs slows it down a bit (yeah, just a bit). A laid back verse leads into more hooks and sing-alongs in the chorus. This song (even more than the others) falls on the vocals to carry the song, and, thankfully, they do so easily! These guys' ability to write catchy, aggressive-yet-sweet choruses and bridges amazes. Speaking of the bridge....Yes, there's a brief piano interlude. Don't let it scare you, though, as it lasts about 5 seconds and actually fits into the song.

5. Watch Your Back - This is the "meanest" sounding song on the record. With a minor guitar riff and call-and-response vocals, it just has a sinister sound to it. Still in the mid-tempo range, this song's sense of impending doom is matched only by the Original version of The Hunn's "Wild Cards". Some impressive drum-work in the bridge takes us to a final run through of the chorus and a great (but short)outro. Great track.

6. Broken - Back to bitter-sweet drinking songs. Great "voice and guitar" intro kicks into a great verse, with chants at the beginning of each bar and some great harmony vocals low in the mix. This one is another contender for "first single", though it's a little long. This one is interesting because the hooks, the big memorable melodies are in the verses of the songs, as opposed to the chorus. It's a good change of pace. The bridge starts off with a big "Who-esque" guitar part and then shifts directly back into gear and doesn't stop until the track ends. '

7. Wanna be a Catastrophe - Opening up with the somewhat played out "barroom" opening made famous by Dropkick Murphy’s and Blood for Blood, this track plays out like a drunken Bar jam. It's a fun, vocal driven jam that serves as a vocal attack on a former girlfriend that hooked on a plethora of substances. Featuring a pile of classic rock guitar soloing and a raucous atmosphere, this song is great! Short but sweet, it hits the spot.

8. A New Tune - The poppiest tune on the new record. If it wasn't for the vocals/lyrics, this could be a pop punk radio single a la Sum 41 or Bowling for Soup. Luckily, the gruff vox and subject matter save the song until the melodic pre-solo bridge. This track, to me, is filler and pretty weak. Sad to see the album that was firing on all cylinders and cooking with gas fall into a rut with this one.

9. Just us Kids (November) - A track about losing friends and moving on. Starting out to what sounds like a ballad, it fall back into what we expect from FFF. Fast verses, thoughtful lyrics, and a great hooky verse. This track hit me, and it hit me hard. It's 1 part subject matter, 1 part great music, and 1 part vocal delivery. None the less, it just hit home with me. Not only is this one of the best track on THIS record, it's one of the best tracks I've heard in a long time. An earnest song about losing a friend, and great music. The only downside is the outro, which plays out like a 50's R&B track. Don't get me wrong, I dig 50's R&B, but it kinda misses and it out of place here.

10.Heroes and Ghosts - This track was relapsed via the band's Myspace page about a year ago. When i heard this, my jaw dropped. It was EXACTLY what I dug about FFF, just with beefed up production value. Today, a year later, it still makes the hairs on my arms stand up. This track is EXACTLY what's needed after the pop punk misfire and weird outta-place outro of the last 2 songs.

11. 1849 - A fast paced punk rock romp about the CA gold rush of 1849. The palm-muted down picking on the verses breaks into, yet another, big catchy chorus. This will be the circle pit anthem for their next tour. The bridge downshifts into the perfect mid-tempo chug, followed by a great shift that tunes the last verse into a skating number both influenced by flamenco music and rude-boy ska at the same time (I know it sounds weird, but it honestly works, and works well).

12. Twenty-One Guns - A song about a working class kid going to war, this might be the most "topical" song on the record. Think the Street Dogs "Back to the World". This one delivered straight, in a typical fashion that, if you been listening to this record thus far, you’re used to and enamored with at the same time. The line "twenty one guns, one for every year of his life" is great, and, like I said, will hit home to a lot of people. The bridge gets a bit more up-beat, witch then dissolves into a frantic pace, and then leads Directly into :

13. Living in the Fallout - Beginning with the "voice and guitar" game, the songs plays out like an unsure and somewhat frightened internal monologue for the first minute. When the rest of the band kicks in, the song is a mid-tempo song that, to me, plays out like an updated version of The Charlie Daniels Band classic "Still in Saigon", which was lyrically about a solider, home from Vietnam in the mid-70's, dealing with Post-traumatic-stress-disorder. The same can be said here, but out the current situation in the middle east. The guitar fades, and the last 15-20 seconds of the record in played out simply with an organ sustaining notes and the sound of a man screaming buried in the mix. The "one-two punch" of these last 2 tracks on this record are amazing. They tell a story. To me, the spry told in these 2 songs alone are every bit as "epic" and much better constructed then what Green Day could do with an entire album (sorry, I just though AI was really weak except 1 or 2 tracks). This left me wanting more, and, sadly, I'll have to wait until the band gets around to touring the east coast to get it.

Over-all, the record is great. 2 tracks in the middle suffer from trying too hard to get radio airplay (A New Tune) and from trying to experiment in a genre that just doesn’t work for them (Just us Kids). Aside from those 2 misfires, the rest of the album is sure to please. Is it as raw as the last record? Surely not. Is it as aggressive? In places. Is it as hooky, melodic, and catchy? All that and more. Do yourselves a favor and check this one out.

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[Slackjaws_ate_my_brain]

Artist : Dropkick Murphys
Album : The Meanest of Times
Label : Warner Bros / Born and Bred Records
Year : 2007

I'm EXTREMELY excited to check this record out, seeing as how it's their first not on hellcat/epitaph and it's their first on a major label (yeah yeah yeah, I know, they're on they "own" label, that just "happens" to be distributed by Warner bros, lol).

Aside from that, as I mentioned, they happen to be one of my favorite bands, and, that being the case, I'm curious as to what route they're going to take with this one. Thus far, I've only heard the demo of "Flannigans Ball", which i dug, so that's a good side anyways.

I'll be writing down my thought and reviewing each track as I listen to them, and, yes, this is based on FIRST listen (like I typically do), so as to get the rawest most "gut reaction" response as possible.

On to the races :

1. Famous for Nothing : We get the sounds of kids playing and bells ringing, and then the song. No intro track? that's odd. Anywho, a rocking tune starts off this collection. Very cool. Sounds similar to "Black Velvet Band" from "Blackout". The chorus is a great sing-along, sure to please fans live. More "punk" than "Celtic", though there are some pipes, whistles, and accordions here and there for flavor. The one thing I've noticed right off the bat is the production : VERY clean. This may be the most well-produced Dropkick Record to date. It's not quite as "polished" as black-out (i.e. they kept the rough edges in), but the mix is incredible and well-balanced. The guitar could be a little louder in the mix, but it's a minor complaint. 4 outta 5

2. God Willing : This one starts with a clean, mellow electric guitar, and then kicks into a mid-tempo rocker. This is another song that's basically exactly what you expect from Dropkick at this point. This one could've easily come off of "Warrior's Code" (which, to me, was a great return to form for the band) or "Blackout". It's all here : Rocking verses, Sing-Along chorus, pipes low in the mix, very cool.4 outta 5

3. The State Of Massachusetts : This one starts with a banjo and is joined by a mandolin. The Les Pauls kick in and we get our most "Celt-punk" song thus far. Great "one-two" rhythm, and a nice banjo/mandolin part just after the choruses. Al and Ken seem to be sharing vocal duties well on this record so far. This is 3 for 3 that they've shared each song 50/50, which, IMO, is how they work best. The sing-alongs in this one really stand out. Where-as songs like "Rocky Road to Dublin" sound a bit muddled, this one is VERY crisp. The Bridge is full-on Pogues, and the last run-through of the chorus is great. Another solid tune. 5 outta 5

4. Tomorrow's Industry : "1-2-3-4!" This one kicks off Ramones style, and the opening guitar attack would make Johnny Ramone VERY proud. The Vocal melody reminds me of "Take it and Run" (One of my favorite tracks from "Warrior's Code"). This song's an attack on the music industry and how they use and abuse musicians. Kind of cliché' subject matter from these guys at this point, but the song honestly rocks, so I'm willing to forgive'em. Great "Drums and Vocals" break-down in the bridge, leading to Ken Casey screaming his balls off and giving it all on the last verse. Good tune. 4 outta 5.

5. Echo's On "A" Street : This one starts loud, and quickly becomes an acoustic mid-tempo folk-y song for the verse, followed by a rousing chorus. This one has a strange bouncy tempo that takes a second to lock into (Think "Rocky Road to Dublin, but not as fast). There's a great mandolin line that's running low in the mix through-out the song that I really dig. Not a bad song, per se, but a little lacking after the first 4 great ones. 3 outta 5

6. Vices And Virtues : With an opening reminiscent of "Worker's Song" from "Blackout", the song sounds a bit like that tune mixed with "10 years of Service" from "Gangs all Here". A cool tune about Fallen friends and acquaintances, via suicide. Great mid-tempo rocker, and a good tune to follow "Echo's" since it gets you back into the "swing" of the record. 4 outta 5

7. Surrender : Another mid tempo rocker, this one sounding similar to "Walk Away" from "Blackout", complete with palm muted rhythm guitars in the verses and more rousing work in the chorus. This song, however, blows away "Walk Away", as it seems a little more "heartfelt" and slightly less "radio friendly", due to the minor progression in the chorus. Great tune. 4 outta 5

8. Flannigans Ball : Guest Star time! This one is a great mix of hard charging guitar-driven punk rock and pogues style Celtic/rock cross breeding. Very cool tune with a great circular sing-along in the chorus and a nice Bag-pipe melody during and after the chorus. Spider from The Pogues is on this one, as is Ronnie from The Dubliners, adding some authenticity to the mix. This one may be the strongest song on the record, as it's both fun and imposing, "punk" and "Irish", a great tune in all aspects. MUCH better than the demo that the band previewed on it's website last month. 5 outta 5

9. I'll Begin Again : This one has a "classic rock" feel to it, with it's intro guitar solo and vocal melody. Think "Ramones" meets "AC/DC". DKM have toyed with a "classic rock" sound before, and it really works here. A great mid-tempo rocker that gets your head bobbin' and gets you singing along in the choruses. 4 outta 5.

10. Fairmount Hill : Acoustic ballad time. Al Barr has really grown as a vocalist over the years. No longer just the Growling/screaming front man of the Bruisers, here, he takes a traditional Irish-y ballad, and really does it justice. What's really nice is that, even though it's a mellow ballad, the guitar still has some punch, and really helps make this one stand out. I'm Really digging on this one. 5 outta 5

11. Loyal To No-One : Opening with a strange cold intro, it soon moves into a a great Celt punk tune, with verses featuring trading vocals between Al and Ken, and a great Chorus that they sing together. This one is primarily moved via accordion and Banjo, but the ringing Power chords from the Guitars give it the "umph" it needs. The 3rd verse is really good, as it's just vocals and banjo, and it just simply works. It's a short one but a good one. 4 outta 5

12. Shattered : A bass intro kicks us into high gear. Though it's not as strong as "Pipebomb" or "Citizen", it's still great to see the boys having a track that's a bit more hardcore. Cool tune about hypocrites, people in power, and the world climate today. Very Motorhead-esque in the Chorus and the Bridge. Great tune. My only compliant is that i wish the guitars had a little more power in this one. It's still great, though, just a small complaint. 4.5 outta 5

13. Rude Awakenings : Another one with a strange mid-tempo. Once you fall into it, it seems to work, but it catches you off-guard at first. The bridge picks it up a bit, but the whole song still stands as being a bit disjointed. It does, however, feature the Album title in the lyrics. By the end, the whole song has an "epic" feel, and gets pretty good, bordering on great. Even so, the weirdness at the beginning still knocks the song down a few pegs. 3.5 outta 5

14. Johnny, I Hardly Knew Ya : A full-on, ballsy, energetic take on the classic tune that would eventually be re-tooled into "When Johnny comes Marching Home". Very Cool, one of the best DKM takes on traditional folk songs. The bare bones bridge is a great moment, leading into an epic run of the chorus for the outro. Very cool. 5 outta 5

15. Never Forget : opening up with "amazing grace"-esque pipes, it quickly becomes a rocking tune about friends and family. A solid tune with a good message, what more can you ask for? The chorus is a great sing along that I'm SURE will work extremely well live. I can hear 1000 kids screaming "Love!" and "Family!", as well as chanting right along with the guys in the band. Great track. It's a little short. It's ends with church bells ringing and birds chirping. Why? Maybe they're the "Bells of St. Mary's" that were mentioned in the first track. 5 outta 5

16. Jailbreak : This is listen on my copy as "Bonus track", so I'm not sure if it's going to be on the retail release or not. Regardless... It's a cover of the Thin Lizzy classic, and it's great. Very Faithful (with the exception of the addition of a Tin Whistle low in the mix during the chorus and Al's gruff vox) to the original. Boston punk and hardcore has always had strong roots in the Nugent/ACDC/Thin Lizzy school of hard rock (dating back to SSD and DYS), and it's cool for DKM to show that here. In fact, I may have to go bust out my Thin Lizzy "best of" CD right now (Oddly enough, "Whiskey in the Jar" would've been more appropriate for DKM to cover, but maybe they avoided it since Metallica not only covered it, but released it as a single a few years back) 4.5 outta 5

Ok, the album's done. Over-all impressions/ VERY good. I'd say it's the perfect blend of "Sing loud, Sing proud", "Blackout", and "Warrior's Code". If you're afraid of the band "selling out", put your fears aside. they've put out a great album here. Is it as Raw as "Do or Die"? No. Is it as aggressive as "gangs all here"? No. But I, personally, didn't expect it to be. It's at the same time a darker and more hopeful record than the last one. Anyway, go out, buy it, give it a listen and make up your mind for yourself.

I, for one, am satisfied. After disappointing records from Necromantix, Tiger Army, and Bad Religion, this one's a breath of fresh air from the camp of "epitaph alumni"

[Slackjaws_ate_my_brain]

Artist : HorrorPops
Album : Kiss Kiss Kill Kill
Label : Hellcat
Year : 2008

Let me preface this by saying that, going in, I'm a pretty big fan of the first 2 HorrorPops records (ST and Bring it On!), so i was excited to pop this one in my CD player. Mixing psychobilly, 50's pop, 60's surf, a bit of garage and even a little 2-tone style ska, these guys are pretty great. One of the primary songwriters here (as well as being the lead guitarist) is Nekroman from noted Psychobilly madmen Nekromantix. The latest Nekromantix album (Life's a Grave...And I Dig It!) didn't really do it for me at first, though it grew on me over the past few months. Let's see if this one does any better :

1. Thelma and Louise : Opting to open this one with a mid tempo tune, this track is pretty straight forward HorroPops : Catchy hook, Upbeat verses, and a little female empowerment thrown in there. Not bad : 3.5 outta 5
2. Missfit : This one has a skacore meets garage rock feel to it, and works well. A sparse pre-chorus contrasts well with the sing along hooky Chorus. The "chika-chika"s are a nice touch as is the Madness styled bridge: 4 outta 5
3. Boot to Boot : Starting off with an ominous opening that would be at home on a Business record, the song quickly kicks into high gear, proving that these guys, if they chose to, could hang with a straight up psychobilly band any day. The verses are set up vocally like an iggy pop song, where-as the choruses are balls out aggression, with Patricia sounding angrier than she ever has on a HorrorPops record to date. Cool Misfits-esque bridge and outro. Great track. Very catchy, will work great live. 5 outta 5
4. Disco : Pop time, this one is an upbeat 4/4 poppy rocker. Some fun guitar work and lyrics with hair metal references makes this one a fun track, and a melodic chorus keeps it from falling too far into the kitsch category. 3.5 outta 5
5. Kiss Kiss Kill Kill : Following the suite of label-mates Tiger Army, this one owes more to 80's "modern rock" bands like Joy Division and The Cure than The Cramps or the Meteors. Not a bad song, pre-se, but not my cup of tea. 3 outta 5
6. Everything's Everything : A slow, sparse opening opens up to an upbeat "take me back" song, that builds slowly and works well. It's romantic, bittersweet, and a little angry at the same time. A bit schizophrenic, but that's what makes this one work. 4 outta 5
7. Hitchcock Starlet : Here's our "psychobilly ballad" of the record. This one just works : simple verses about an on-coming murder and big anthemic choruses about lost love. Great track. 4.5 outta 5
8. Highway : The album kicks back into a higher gear with this one. An ultimate "driving song", it has everything you need : fast, steady beat, pulsing palm muted rhythm guitar, and great lyrics about a murder! Perfect! 4.5 outta 5
9. Horror Beach Pt. 2 : Horror Beach Pt. 1 was the closer to the HorrorPops' ST debut album. It was an instrumental that was VERY 1960's surf rock, played very straight. Here, it's the same vibe, but with some modern elements (chanting background vox, heavy guitars, ect.) added to the mix. Very cool, just as good as the original. 5 outta 5
10. Refugee : Back to form again, with another fast fun poppy psychobilly tune. An ode to lost friends, growing up, and moving one, this is one of the more serious songs on the record, and prove that they can be more than a goofy novelty band when the need arises. Good track. 4 outta 5
11. My Picture : A break-up song? Sure, why not? A mid tempo rocker that stands as a note to tell off a former lover. musically, it's a bit "fluff" and "filler", but the lyrics work. 3.5 outta 5
12. Private Hall of Shame : This song is FULL ON fuzzy 60's garage rock. Nice to hear the HorrorPops go full-bore in this direction every once in awhile, as it's a style that really suites them. Thumbs up on this one.

Over-all, I’d say another solid release from these guys. I'd rate this on the same level as their ST debut, but not quite as strong as their previous release, Bring it On!. Who knows, maybe it'll grow on me

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[Slackjaws_ate_my_brain]

Artist : Time Again
Album : Darker Days
Label : Hellcat
Year : 2008

Well, with the release of their first full length on hellcat a little over a year ago (These Stories Are True), these guys were labeled a Rancid clone. Everything from their mixing of street punk/pop punk/ska, to their look, to singer Daniel's garbled VERY tim-armstrong-inspired vocal style REEKED of all things "Rancid". That being said, it was still a solid record and earned them a pile of fans. Will they branch out a bit on their 2nd full length?

1. Day like This : We open with more Tim Armstrong inspired vocals. Musically, however, I guess this could've come off of Rancid's "2K" album, but that it. It's a short, fast aggressive burst of adrenaline, with a hooky chorus and great bass playing. 4.5 outta 5
2. Soon It Will Be : 10 seconds of build-up and we're into another fast as balls street punk track. This one is a bit repetitive, but it works. Still hampered a bit by the Tim Armstrong styled vocals, but so far these guys seem to be making it work. 4.5 outta 5
3. One Way or Another : The strongest tra ck so far friends singer Daniel Spitting rapid-fire lyrics through the verses (backed by a great bass line)and building to a great sing-along anthemic chorus. Great tune. 5 outta 5
4. Line are Faded : The guys slow it down a bit here, with a slower 4/4 song about, what else, living on the street, growing up and whatnot (apparently what 90% of their songs are about). Great tune, but VERY MUCH sounds like a cast-off of Rancid's "...And Out Come The Wolves". 3.5 outta 5
5. Darker Days : The title track starts off like a powder keg hit by a match : More full speed street punk that leads to a faster, sing along chorus. this one works, and works well. The chorus will be stuck in my head for the next day or 2. The bridge is a little pretentious, but I’ll let that slide. 4.5 outta 5
6. Lucky : back into Rancid territory on this one. Good track, but replace all the "Daniel’s with "Tim’s, and it's a rancid song (similar in sound/style to "GGF" from Rancid's "2k" record). It's an ode to an older guy that took care of Daniel while he was growing up, and apparently died soon after. Nice sentiment. 3.5 outta 5
7. Montreal (Street Kids) : Time Again shows that they have as much 1st gen west coast hardcore in their sound as they do mid-90's street punk. Cool track, and I'm just thinking about 500 kids at a show yelling "Goin' off!". It's what Punk rock is all about. 4 outta 5
8. Lookin' Back : Another slower track, and another song about 'livin' on the street". Listen, I'm not saying these guys are fake (I don't know'em personally, i didn't grow up with'em, ect.) but they seem to be in a rut lyrically : Growing up on the street, drinking/drugging as a teenager, hard street life, ect. Not bad, but by track 8, it's gets a little redundant. 3.5 outta 5
9. Movin' On : A song about wanting a girl back, this one is a fast street punk inspired ode to lost potential love and regret. Good track. Fast verses and anthemic chorus, cool stuff. 4.5 outta 5
10. You're Goin' Down : This one doesn't work for me. They've up-ed the speed/aggression, and ditched what made so much of this record work, the melody and the hook. Great bass solo, though, so for that, I’ll give it a 2.5 outta 5
11. TV static : This one sounds like a Dookie-era Green Day track played by Wolves-era Rancid. Catchy, Poppy, with just enough aggressive and edge to make it a solid track. This one is one of the best songs on the record and shows what this band is capable of, and shows that, given the right time, they could make it big on mainstream radio. Cool track all round. 5 outta 5
12. Shell Casings : Speeding things up again, this one tells the story of a kid that joins a gang and fucks his life up at a young age and continues down the road as a middle-aged man. This one, musically, is great (good riff, fun bass interludes, nice guitar solo) but the lyrics, just comes off as a little cheesy (especially when they're isolated in the bridge). 3.5 outta 5
13. Streetwalker : On this one, the guys really channel a bit of '77 punk rock guitar, and crossbreed it with their hyped-up rhythms and bass solos. Solid track, but more played out lyrics. Seriously, it's getting a bit old-er at this point. 3.5 outta 5
14. Outcast : This one starts off with a nice build, and slips nicely into a mid-tempo Oi beat. The verses are typical, but the hook is great, as is the Oi-inspired lead guitar work just after the chorus. The pre-choruses ae straight out of the "Sham 69 school of punk rock", and that's fine with me. One of the best songs on the album. 5 outta 5

Ok, so, as you can tell, the pretentious "I grew up on the street! I was drunk and rugged out all the time! I'm hard! Seriously! I have Cred!!!" lyrics got a bit tiring at times. That being said, if I would've heard this record at 15-16, i would've been singing right along the whole time. maybe I'm just a bit too jaded, mayhap they're shooting for a younger, more open demographic. In any case, these guys still show amazing potential, but still aren't quite "there" yet. That being said, I’ll definitely look into their next record.

[Slackjaws_ate_my_brain]

Artist : Flogging Molly
Album : Float
Label : SideOneDummy
Year : 2008

Ok, yet another release from one of my favorite "Guinness and Potatoes" bands, Flogging Molly. As I've said before, these guys are amazing, both in the studio and live on stage. They've built up a strong back catalogue of albums thus far ("Alive behind the Green Door", "Swagger", "Drunken Lullabies", "Within A Mile of Home", and "Whiskey on a Sunday"), how will their latest release hold up? Let's see :

1. Requiem for Dying Song : This one's not the best opener in my opinion. Sure, the song is ok, but it's an issue as an opener for 2 reasons : 1. We've heard it before (on the "Complete Control" EP) and 2. It's just a radio-friendly mid-tempo rock song. Typically these guys open their records with a full-bore kick in the ass, but not here. Not a bad tune, but mayhap bad placement : 3.5 outta 5

2. Paddy's Lament : With this one, the album kicks into a higher gear, with the Pogues-y verses and big hooks. Great tune : 4 outta 5

3. Float : The title track is an odd tune. It's got a strange pace, and seems a bit disjointed on first listen. That being said, the 2nd or 3rd time around, it really clicks. Cool memorable little fiddle lines get stuck in your head. Good tune, mellow and catchy : 4 outta 5

4. You Won't Make a Fool Out of me : Back into the game with a faster tune, this one is EXACTLY what you expect when it comes to Flogging molly : Fast, Punk influenced Irish folk music, with running verses and sing-along choruses. Great tune. this one is bound to be a live staple. 4.5 outta 5

5. Lightning Storm : An accordion-led barn burner, this tune works well. Another "typical" Flogging Molly tune, this one has a nice melodic chorus that will get stuck in your head and have you humming it for days. It's kinda nice to have the guitar lay back on this one. The waltz part near the end is a nice touch as well. 4 outta 5

6. Punch Drunk Grinning Soul : Another step outside the box on this one. A jagged, start-and-start tremolo acoustic part is what this one is based around, and I can't say that it works 100%. Not a bad tune per se, mainly because the Choruses are so anthemic, but the verses leave me a little lost. 3 outta 5

7. Us of Lesser Gods : A traditional Irish folk tune, this one is playful in structure and poetic lyrically. For a band that once HATED Pogues comparisons, this one is right out of their playbook. Regardless, this one works, with a sympathetic fiddle part and a nice off-beat structure. 4 outta 5

8. Between a Man and a Woman : A minor-keyed mid tempo rocker, this one is a sparse look at relationships that has a nice, poppy sing-along chorus. Kinda typical for these guys, but it works. 4 outta 5

9. On the Back of a Broken Dream : Another mid-tempo track that pushed along by the accordion and the banjo, and another song that works well, but isn't quite great. The chorus is nice, and feels as if it should have some energy, but Dave's vox literally sound half-asleep on it. 3.5 outta 5

10. Man With No Country : The bass intro on this one sounds like it should have come from an early 80's west coast hardcore record. That being said, it quickly shifts gears into another "typical" Flogging Molly track. It has the running verses and anthemic choruses that we want and love, but, by this point, it's all sounding a bit uninspired. the song itself is good, but I think placing it this close to the end of the record takes a little away from it : 3.5 outta 5

11. The Story So Far : The closing ballad of this one is a solid tune. Far from the epic "The Sun Never Shines on Closed Doors", this one still works. Has a great chanting sing-along bridge that would make the Beatles proud. over-all, not a bad tune : 3.5 outta 5

Over-all thoughts? Well, to be honest, I wasn't THAT impressed. It's not a bad record, not in the least, but I've heard what these guys are capable of, and this is FAR from it. I'd definitely recommend picking it up if you're a Flogging Molly fan already. If you're looking to get into the band, however, I'm still suggesting either "Swagger" or "Drunken Lullabies". It's a 3 star effort by a 5 star band.

[Slackjaws_ate_my_brain]

Artist : Rancid
Album : B-Sides and C-Sides
Label : Rancid Records
Year : 2007

As anyone that knows me knows, I'm a big Rancid fan. They are always in my ever-revolving list of top 5 favorites bands of all time, and typically they have an album in my CD changer at all times. They've released a wide range of records over the years, and typically have an album to fit whatever mood I happen to be in at any given time. Their latest (though it's a limited release) is a collection of previously recorded rarities. I've heard all but 4 of these tracks before, but I'm happy to have them here in 1 collection, and have them mastered to sound at least fairly well together. How is the record?

1. Ben Zanotto : A fast street punk tribute to a fallen friend, this one (sung by Lars) is great. It's a b-side from Rancid 2K and is a nice tribute and a catchy tune. 2 minutes of heartfelt punk rock. 4.5 outta 5

2. Stop : A fun, upbeat ska-tune that was original recorded during the "Wolves" sessions, this one is great for all the op ivy fans out there. The little "whoa"s in the verses are a nice touch as well. 4 outta 5

3. Devil's Dance : A rockabilly tune along the line of LWW's "Lady Liberty", this one is great. I've never heard this one before, but it's definitely going to go on a few mix CDs I'm working on. GREAT tune, though a bit different for Rancid. 5 outta 5

4. Dead and Gone : A fast aggressive tune with matt on Vox. His vocal style is VERY "Love it or hate it", and I happen to love it. Awesome song from the rancid 2K era. 4.5 outta 5

5. Stranded :This one has a more aggressive intro than the version i heard before. In any case, it's a fast skate punk/street punk cross breed love song from a man to his guitar. Cool tune but the chorus is a little clunky. 4 outta 5

6. Killing Zone : This one is definitely from the "Fear" school of punk rock. Doesn't really sound like rancid, with the exception of the small interlude between the verses and the sing-along chorus. Great tune, though maybe best lest as a B-side. 4 outa 5

7. 100 Years : Another tune i haven't heard until now. this one is a mid-tempo punk rock instrumental, with a guitar as "vocalist" and some amazing bass playing. Really cool interlude between tracks. 4.5 outta 5

8. Things to Come : A 2 tone ska/'67 reggae crossbreed that's very much from the LWW period. Great tune, mellow vibe, with cool piano and horn accents, and nice backing vox in the chorus. 4.5 outta 5

9. Blast'em : Man, this has been one of my favorite Rancid rarities for years. I just love this one. Everything from the aggressive guitar work to the back-and-forth vocals in the chorus to the mumbles and jumbled verses just work and work well. I'll be humming this tune all day tomorrow. 5 outta 5

10. Edrina : Another 'Wolves" cast-off, this one is a forgotten gem. Great bass playing movies this one along, and Lars' vox are top notch here. great tune. 4.5 outta 5

11. White Knuckle Ride : Another fast and furious tune led by Matt. His playing in the intro is amazing. Lars vox are potentially at their "Angriest" here. A very sparse song that low on melody and high and piss and vinegar, this one gets the blood pumping. sadly, the production is terrible on it, and even re-mastered it still sounds rough. 4.5 outta 5

12. Sick Sick World : This one came off of the Warped Tour '01 comp, and was a hold-over from 2K as well. Great tune. it's everything that that particular album was about : raw aggression, fast tunes, great bass playing, and finding melody in a non-melodic song

13. Tattoo : This song is the one I've been singing every time i tattoo the name of an (in)significant other on someone. The tune is good, but Lars' vox are a little rough here. Not the best on the record. 3 outta 5

14. That's Entertainment : this song, if it were released as a single in 95 or so would've been a huge hit. Fun intro, catchy verses, HUGE hook. This one is great. Perfect tune. 5 outta 5

15. Clockwork Orange : Another new one to me, this one is a mid-tempo, dark tune, but it really works well. It has a strange vibe, but one that is VERY catchy. The verses here, as they drop to just drums, vocals, and bass just resonate well, and then lead to huge sing-along choruses. Great track. 5 outta 5

16. The Brothels : From the first "Give'em the Boot" comp, this one has been a live staple for years. Cool mid-tempo tune, though always more of a "filler" song to me. 3.5 outta 5

17. Just a Feeling : Another Matt-led assault, this tune is a 2 minute piece of aggression and sing-alongs. Great tune, one of the highlights from the "radio radio radio" single. 4.5 outta 5

18. Brixton : A very 2-Tone piece of ska, this one is sure to please the fans of the LWW record, as well as singles like 'Timebomb' and 'red hot moon'. Not a bad tune, but not one of my favs in this collection. 3.5 outta 5

19. Empros Lap Dog : Last of the tunes I haven't heard before, this one plays like a "typical" rancid song, led by Matt's incredible bass playing and Tim's mumbling vocal style. Not a bad tune, but very much an unfinished B-side. 3.5 outta 5

20. I wanna Riot : The original version, this has always been a favorite of mine. this marks the first time that Rancid mixed the skacore that Tim/Matt were famous for in Op Ivy into a rancid song. VERY cool track, even though it's basically mixed like a demo. 4.5 outta 5

21. Kill the Lights : The comp ends with another full-bore blast with this one. The chorus makes this, with Tim and Lars trading off, yelling at one another, while Matt runs scales up and down the neck of his bass. One of the better tracks on here. 5 outta 5

Over-all? BUY THIS COLLECTION! Sure, you can spend time tracking down these songs and downloading them (I know i did), but having them here with their volume levels mastered in one collection is nice. Thankfully, i think I have around 3 discs worth or Rancid rarities, which means that, hopefully, the band will be releasing "volume 2" pretty soon (with a few songs that I can't WAIT to hear mastered). No, it's nowhere near as good as a new Rancid record, but it'll hold us over until they get around to putting one out.

[elheffe]

Artist : Rancid
Album : B-Sides and C-Sides
Label : Rancid Records
Year : 2007

Shoot, I didn't even know they released a b-side album. I gotta disagree with you on Brothels though. I don't think it's filler.

[Slackjaws_ate_my_brain]

To each their own. I just don't think it's the strongest Rancid track, but I know a pile of folks that love it. Maybe I'm just not hearing it, lol.

In any case, yeah, I think the "B Sides and C Sides" record was originally released solely through the Machete merch site in Otober, and then got "normal" distribution in late October/Early November.

I'm personally, as I said in my review, chomping at the bit for volume 2, as there's a goldmine of B-sides lieft (and I'm certain a few that haven't been leaked to the net over the year as well, like the 4 on vol. 1)