PunkRockReview.org- Band Review: August 2007 Archives

Devil's Son-in-Law -"Self Titled"

Devil's Son-in-Law "Self Titled" - I saw a bulletin on Myspace last week and a record label was offering free downloads of their bands if you signed up for the forum/message board. So, I love when bands/labels offer free music, well because I'm cheap and don't like to purchase unknown music. That and I always think the best way to make new fans is to offer some full song samples of an album. This allows the music to be absorbed, so the listener gets a full understanding and perspective of the music.

With this album you don't need to wait that long to realize that this is completely AWFUL! When I heard the 1st riff I had a feeling that I was in for quite a ride. When the "singing" started it was one of those deep Satan growls. Seriously, I thought it was a joke, but then like the brave crusader I am I listened on. Since I listened to this 5-song disaster I've been waking up in the middle of the night with my head spinning around my torso with gallons of projectile vomit omitting from my mouth like a sprinkler. It's kind of gross, but that's the price I'm willing to pay for my readers.

OK, Devil's son-in-law "Self Titled" sounds like Death Metal and I can not stand Death Metal at all. So it could be good if you like Death Metal, but it just gave me a migraine. If you don't like death metal I would stay far, far away… (Unless you're a Satan worshipper)

Posted by Jonny Taint at 10:51 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The New Aggression - "Praying for a stray bullet"

The New Aggression - "Praying for a stray bullet" - After seeing some of the shit that been called punk, I suppose this passes for punk these days. It's pretty much cock rock style emo by numbers. Cliché' Fall Out Boy quality (and I'm probably being complimentary there) lyrics, occasionally melodic / interesting guitar riffs, but for the most part, this sounds like any other Hot Topic, emo haired band on VH1 or top 40 radio. Pass.

Posted by Jonny Taint at 10:50 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Creature - "No Love In Hell"

Creature "No Love In Hell" - This is one of those records I had no idea what to expect. All I knew was that I had been promising a review and kept forgetting to listen to the tunes. Hot Diggity Damn, I was missing out on some great tunes. This six song melodic punk record is a 100% horror style masterpiece. The songs are powerfully written with dark gothic imagery & professional musicianship. That's not to say their songs sound Goth, just some of the lyrics are VERY dark. An example of that is the song, "Stalker Victim"; it seems to be written from the perspective of a Stalker Murderer. It tells a very dark story of what's going on in the stalkers head.

Really there are a bunch of great horror based lyrics and I loved it. My favorite song from "No Love In Hell" is a toss up between "Stalker Victim & Skin Eater" they are both just great songs. The combination of horror lyrics and melodic punk is not a new genre (The Misfits the most famous of all), but lately it seems like there are a bunch of great bands starting to master the style again. Creature really has their shit together; they have intelligently written lyrics with excellently written rhythms to compliment the vocal style of their singer.

Posted by Jonny Taint at 10:49 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The Fat Kid - "17 song demo"

The Fat Kid "17 song demo" - The best way to describe "The Fat Kid is; simple garage/skate punk. These guys sound like a band of friends that you might have known in high school. There isn't anything entirely "special" about their music, but that's not to say that they aren't an entertaining band. It's tough because the recording was probably done in a garage or basement, so the quality of the recording is pretty distorted. The singer's voice is decent, but completely off with the music at times and the instruments & lyrics are pretty standard. These young guys are on the right track and with a little more substance could be something good in a few years.

I must give them an "A" for their total D.I.Y. efforts. The CD they sent to be reviewed was a 17 song CD-R with a handmade sleeve. The sleeve had a picture of the band, cut out and scotch taped to the paper sleeve and wrote me a nice little letter. You might think I'm being sarcastic (which I normally am), but I really appreciate the effort these guys put into it. Some reviewers have a complete fit and won't review the CD unless it has lyrics and/or "pretty" cover art. Honestly, I could careless about all that shit. I'm reviewing the music, not their visual presentation. That being said I do love Lyric sheets, but don't look at it as a requirement to review the music.

Posted by Jonny Taint at 10:49 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The Knob - "Thir13een Ways to Go"

The newest Album by The Knob, "Thir13een Ways to Go" has a sound and style very similar to the 2000 Millencolin release, "Pennybridge Pioneers". Much like the aforementioned comparison "Thir13een Ways to Go” concentrates on a straight-ahead, melodic Skate Punk format. With songs like "Stalker" & "The Detonator", this release lyrically seems to be a little more on the darker side then some of their prior releases. Fans of The Knob, Millencolin, and '90s Skate Punk in general, are sure to enjoy “Thir13een Ways to Go”, a disc that might not be quite as "catchy" as the group's other offerings, but one that still deserves a strong recommendation.

Check Out this album and tons of other Knob releases at

TheKnobBand.net

or

http://www.myspace.com/theknobband

Posted by Jonny Taint at 10:47 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The Naysayers - "Demo"

The Naysayers - "Demo" - Honestly, I was expecting some shitty badly recorded in a closet really bad bullshit. Boy-O-Boy was I surprised! The Naysayers try drilling messages of rebellion into your skull with all the subtlety of a jackhammer. It's melodic, soulful and swinging like a tornado snaking its way from side to side, twisting and turning across a trailer park. Fuckin' rad.
One thing I would suggest though is to stop the back up singer from screaming! I really like the song "Dying To Live" a lot, but the back up singer almost ruined it for me. The song would be perfect if it wasn't for the back up screamer. Luckily he only screams on a few parts of "Dying to Live", but it's an annoying screamo-ish yell. Otherwise, I really enjoy how The Naysayers have the ability to change up their sound from song to song while staying full of teenage angst and not getting stuck on repeat with their style. Another great song they have is "Fuck This Lets Rock" it really has the sound of a 7 Seconds sounding unity song.

Posted by Jonny Taint at 10:16 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Myriad - " Self Titled"

Myriad - " Self Titled" - I should have known as soon as I opened the package. The CD is a bank white cover with only a butterfly on it, but you're not supposed to choose a book by it's cover. .......Right? I don't know why someone would waste their money on international postage to send me, an avid EMO music hater an EMO CD. What the hell is wrong with these guys? I guess any press is good press and I give them credit for trying to promote their band by any means necessary. This is an Indie Rock / Emo fecal matter. This is the sound of whining set to something that might be called music by wieners wearing tight sweaters, girl pants, and eyeliner.
*Note to EMO bands: Don't waste your money sending me your music!

Posted by Jonny Taint at 10:14 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Capgun's & Coke - "Just Another Day" EP

Capgun's & Coke - "Just Another Day" EP - I have to admit that I was very excited when I heard this CD was on the way to be reviewed. I've been a fan of Capgun's since I heard their Split release "Capgun's & Coke vs. The Grizzley Ends". "Just Another Day" is a 6 song, up-tempo, dance your ass of pop punk delight. This EP seems to have a lot of Screeching Weasel influence, but not in a stalker kind of way, rather the kind of influence that motivates people to make GREAT music. Matt Moped, the singer of Capguns has the great raspy, snotty voice that many singers can only wish they had. The vocals are not the only thing that stands out with these fish -n- chip blokes. Their instrumental melodies are well done with stand out drumming and fun mini-solos mixed in. There is so much positive energy coming from their sound that one can't help but smile, dance and sing along to ever one of their wonderful tunes.

Posted by Jonny Taint at 10:06 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Straight to Knowhere - "Message from the Don" -

Straight to Knowhere - "Message from the Don" - The lyrics are nothing spectacular but they have their attractive moments. The melodies, on the other hand, are almost identical from song to song, making it very difficult to even tell when one song begins and the other ends. Don't get me wrong they are not identical, but just seem to follow the same template. "Straight To Knowhere" has a song similar to maybe Bad Religion & Social Distortion combined, but at a much more simple or dull level. The songs just don't reach out and pull you into them. I tried to focus in on the songs, but kept finding myself daydreaming. I had to listen multiple times but each time I was left hoping the music was going to step it up a notch, but it never did.

Posted by Jonny Taint at 10:02 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Johnny Mohawk and the Assassins - "Drinking As Always"

Johnny Mohawk and the Assassins - "Drinking As Always" - is distorted and dissonant music, full of mood and the blues, describing pain and heartbreak, love and loss, loneliness and long, dark nights when the only sound breaking the silence is the rain pattering against a window and the only solace is a half empty bottle of cheap whiskey. Alright, I was a little surprised when I heard these guys. Based upon the huge Mohawks on the cover of the CD, I wasn't expecting their Country Punk -n- Roll Style. Living in the south I've been hearing more and more of this style of music, it reminds me of Southern Rock like Lynyrd Skynard, Molly Hatchet or .38 Special with a 21st century twist.
Honestly this isn't my favorite style of music, but I've never understood the obsession towards Southern Rock in the first place. That being said Johnny Mohawk and the Assassins are a musically talented band, but just not the type of music I listen too. If you're a fan of Southern Rock or up-tempo Rockabilly you will probably like these guys

Posted by Jonny Taint at 10:01 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

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August 26, 2007