A Common Goal – Blessings and Battles
If you heard the first EP by A Common Goal and liked it, then you know what to expect here: blue collar punk rock with rough vocals and a clear lyrical message. The band has dug a bit deeper into that sound for their new full length, spreading out a bit more but not to the point of shying away from what fans will want. There seems to be a bit more “catch” to the hooks in these songs, giving the album a bit higher “rock-out” effect over all. Or maybe it is the shout-along background vocals that cause that… or maybe both. There are also a couple of songs where the band slows things down a bit – not exactly ballads, but just a bit more melody and introspection. For fans of the rougher sides of punk, this is a full length album to snap up quick.
Jagged Doctrine – To Whom It May Concern
Industrial metal is one of the few genres to never really become overcrowded and overdone. Sure, there were a lot of bands jumping on the NIN/Manson band wagon back in the day, but it’s not like we were drowning in clones like we were with grunge or ska. And the fact that NIN and Manson are so different from each other just shows how diverse the intersection of metal and electronic noise really was. Jagged Doctrine is one of the few 1990’s children of that marriage that are still alive and kicking today. To these ears, the guitar and electronic sounds brought together on To Whom It May Concern are a bit more coherently mixed than the average industrial band. This cohesiveness puts the songs ahead of many of their current and past contemporaries. This is not to say the music is mellow or light on the guitars in any way. Maybe it’s the beefier mix, but some of these songs sound like the heaviest that Jagged Doctrine has ever released. The intensity relaxes a bit towards the end to the point that album closes with an acoustic guitar driven song, but serves to give the album a well-rounded and diverse feel. I don’t know how the guys of Jagged Doctrine keep cranking out so much quality music, but I’m glad they are. Currently available for a “pay-what-you like price” on Bandcamp.
The Poor Geezers – All 4 One – Best Of (review 2)
I snagged this to review because it was labeled something along the lines of folksy/punk or something like that. I was really surprised when I put on my headphones and the music started coming out. I didn’t really know what to expect, but this is a straight up rugged, DIY, acoustic based music with attitude and ethics. The first thing that came to mind was a stripped down Billy Bragg, or someone like John Wesley Harding. From the press release, the core players are “Dean Riches who is a multi-talented guitarist, drummer, singer, songwriter, harmonica player who lost his front teeth in a Meteors mosh pit, and Eagle Spits who is a poet, croaker activist who loves The Clash and Blind Willie Johnson.” This album is basically a “best of” compilation from their previous four records. It really is a great album that has poetry tracks mixed in with bluesy, acoustic, stripped down songs about religion, Christ, politics and social oppression. There is a definite brash attitude inside these songs, a “tell it like it is” attitude that communicates their truth and belief. This is a great record, get it and try something outside of the box for a change. These guys have a definite Joe Strummer flavor, one of those “hanging on to hear the next line” type deals. Great stuff!
King Never – 37
Fans of crafty electric guitar and bands like Porcupine Tree, Belew-era King Crimson and The Police will want to check out this King Never EP. It’s a straight-shooting representation of what this tightly-knit trio can do on stage. Until I get the chance to see it happen in Chicago, I’ll be spinning 37. I’ve been a fan of Matt McCabe’s playing and songwriting an embarrassingly long amount of time, but for good reason. This set finds him making yet another forward push against the boundaries.
Hippos Of Doom – Road Trip EP
Punk rock has always been more about attitude than style. True punk fans will be willing to forgive sameness and lack of technical skill if there is a sick riff and “I think I can change the world through music” attitude. Oh, and also an understanding that there is a difference between humor and utter silliness. With a name like “Hippos of Doom”, well, one might be worried that you get silliness and lack of attitude rather than humor and rock. Thankfully, the Hippos give us the attitude, energy, and humor that punk rock fans really want. They even cover “Holiday Road.” Yep, that “Holiday Road.” Best song title goes to “The Royal Philharmonic Goes To The Bathroom.” Overall, a fun EP that is a bit of the good parts of pop punk thrown in with a good lot of old school punk. And its free, so what are you gonna lose?
The Poor Geezers – All 4 One – Best Of
I have never heard of this band but this is a best of – always a good way to introduce yourself to a band. What you have here is DIY, Lo-Fi, Blues, experimental Folk-Punk, or as the band calls it “Patch-work Punk”. I don’t have anything to compare this to, and that’s cool, big points for originality! I’m not a big fan of the vocal production, but I can get past that after a few listens. Enjoy a lot of the lyrics, a good variety of topics from the spiritual, to the political, dark humor, and everyday life. It’s legit Punk, something not seen too often in the Christian market. 23 tracks in all, coming in just over an hour. One of the better Thumper releases I’ve heard thus far. Would love to hear a better produced album from these guys, it varies throughout the album. Two piece band for the most part. Nice to listen to some artist from across the pond. All in all I enjoyed this album start to finish, it’s something different. RIYL – Destroy Nate Allen, Billy Bragg, the Clash, the Cramps.
Dissident Prophet – Weapons of Mass Deception
The Dissident Prophets (aka The Maccabees) are back! The Prophets were more active in the late 1990s/early 2000s before disappearing for a while. I often hear them compared to L.S. Underground. While that is an influence or comparison, there is really a different vibe to DP that is not as dark as LSU. Which is not a bad thing, just something different. “Fire, Fire” is a driving song with slight influences from later day The Cult. “Running On The Wheel” is a groovin’ song with a heavy 80s feel. “Time O’ The Signs” has a distinct 90s alternative mood to it, followed by the rollicking acoustic ditty “Be Serious” that will have you whistling along with it. But it’s not all older influences. “The Man Behind The Curtain” sounds like it could fit in with current garage rock bands that you hear on many commercials. Yet they manage to bring it all together into a cohesive sound that is still all Dissident Prophet. You can currently get this for free at their BandCamp site, so be sure to snap it up before some label grabs it.
The Ocean Blue – Ultramarine
You either love The Ocean Blue or you just haven’t heard of them. Or you just aren’t into jangy-dreamy-alterna-indie pop. The Ocean Blue is pretty much one of the best at that sound, and now they are back with a new album. I know what you are thinking – when bands like this disappear for a while and then come back with an independent album, they are usually a mere shadow of their former self. Not so with Ultramarine. This CD could easily set next to their first three albums and hold its own. Every song makes you stop and think “wasn’t that on such-and-such album?” But it wasn’t – it is just good enough to have been. Of course, it is not all about re-hashing the glory days – The Ocean Blue tries several new musical ideas with this release. They are basically a band that is moving forward without forgetting where they came from or who put them there. With music of this high caliber coming out of the Ocean Blue camp, we can all hope that this is a permanent reunion and not just a one-off.
Nina Llopis – Unveiled (part-1)
With the piano intro to the first track, you kind of wonder if Nina has mellowed since her time with The Lead or as a solo artist on various labels. But about 45 seconds into that same track, you realize that this is by far her heaviest solo effort to date. I haven’t heard worship music this intense in a long time. This ep is worship music that I can listen to any time – unlike the corporate mess that is currently called “modern worship.” I would even say that these songs are very gothic in places. I love how the lyrics are corporate and upward focused: “we” and “us” as well as “you Lord” are terms that are so missing in today’s worship. The only problem is that this is a four song ep. I want a whole album, or even a double album. But it is part-1, so I hope we see a part-2 coming soon.
And How – Tractor
Somehow two new releases by And How have slipped past my ears. Need to pay more attention. I’ll focus on the newest one in this review (Tractor), but also know that the one before it (Letters Tied to Balloons) is just as good. While And How really has a sound of its own, many of the songs bear a Daniel Amos influence of mid-paced melancholic alternative rock. And How is essentially a one man project by Sean Severson that sounds more like a full band project. The driving “No Place to Hide” is probably my favorite of the bunch, but I pretty much like the whole set. These songs would make a good soundtrack on a rainy day to drive around while thinking about life. Oh, and did I forget to mention they are free? Not even listed as “pay what you want” – just flat out free. So check it out if you haven’t yet.