The Bouncing Souls: The Gold Record

Forget about...The Things I said...This records' better...than all of them.

Reviewed by:Pete

I have been putting off this moment long enough. The review of The Gold Record. Goddamn. Not ever really being appropriately acquainted to The Bouncing Souls, and not even really wanting to be, I purchased this album on a whim having heard many good things. This record kicked my ass from start to finish. And has continued to do so at every single listen since June of 2006.

The very first track The Gold Song starts quietly with the sound of bottles hitting the floor, and then a sudden build up into an absurdly exciting chorus of "heys" which defies all reason and may be one of the single most energetic openings to any record ever. And thats just the first 20 seconds of the song. I could write 4 paragraphs about this song, but I will not. I'll only say that if you aren't ready to jump out of your seat after the breakdown when singer Greg Attonito proclaims "These dreams are yours and mine, that time can't take away"...and then the rest of the guys join him to yell "TAKE AWAY" well, if you arent jumping around then you probably aren't human.

The next track is "So Jersey" and is a perfect example of why punk rock doesn't have to be fast. This song could be sung by Bon Jovi or Bruce Springsteen. But thank the gods of Asbury Park that this is the Bouncing Souls offering this epic love note to their home state. The rock keeps coming with track 3 "Sounds of the City" another rabble rousing tune about making it through tough times. It has my single favorite moment on the whole record. The guitars slow down and the drums dominate, a seemingly traditional breakdown. But singer Attonito once again pulls no punches and bellows the last lines of the song, sending chills down ones spine. "One strength to see us through...hey all together this one goes out to you. We are not alone In this city that is our home." The emotion and heart that is poured into this one line, let alone this song is enough to make this record worth the price of admission. "The Pizza Song" comes next and I dont think there is anyone out there who can't picture this Tony's pizza joint, and put themselves in the environment the song effortlessly paints. "Sarah Saturday" comes next and slams into the side of your face like a truck. This is indeed the perfect song that makes me want to sing along that is referenced in the chorus. Next up is the first cover song on the album, "Better Things" originally recorded by The Kinks, the Souls version is (you guessed it) full of better things.

This brings us to the second half of the record kicking off with "The Messenger" where a blistering harmonica solo (!) segues into a plea to "Let all of the people hear it" apparently speaking about their music. "Lean On Sheena" is next, a cover song that so unbelievably dominates the original that they have destroyed all known recordings of it. (not really, but that would be cool). This song indeed speaks to many people, in many different ways, and is a shining achievement for this band. "Letters From Iraq" is a small departure from the style of the rest of the record, and as is true with most punk bands: "faster equals better." The lyrics are actual letters from a soldier in Iraq which makes it hit home, "They lost another friend today, its getting rough over there, they say the whole things fucked. I wish the boys were back, at least I'd know their still alive."

"The New Thing" lightens the mood up a bit, complete with gang vocals and hand claps. "Midnight Mile" is a great song about wanting something and having the courage to go and get it. The last chorus is one of the best moments on the album. Which brings us to the closing number "All the Unheard" a finale that would make anyone proud. The song is a dedication to all of the thousands of bands and kids out there who are still playing their music.

This album is better than most things any bands has ever done, and certainly is a crowning achievement for The Bouncing Souls. I think I have already said all that I can say about how great I think this record is, but I would close with a message for The Bouncing Souls:

"And we wanna say, thanks to the music in our lives,we give ourselves for all those lies.
Send some love to all the lonely, don't forget we're all one family.Thanks to the music in our lives, helpin us to survive.Lost in one lonely dream, born to run and LIVE FREE!"

5 Stars. Thats right.

reviewed by: Pete

Bad Religion: New Maps of Hell (and more... How do they keep doing this?)

Ya-Hey!!
reviewed by: Pete


So it appears a new Bad Religion record has exploded from wherever it is that ridiculously rocking albums explode from. I, for one, would like to present the theory that Bad Religion albums are genetically engineered by Mr. Brett and Greg Graffin to chemically include the most excitement per minute. But maybe they just record it in a studio like every other band.

After stumbling on No Substance and New America, Greg, Brett, Brian, Jay, Greg and Brooks have releases three fist pounding records. Almost as if they wanted us to forget the Atlantic days...


This new release starts off with yet another overture type, 52 Seconds, but quite honestly nothing can touch the overture slamming right into Sinister Rogue from 2004's The Empire Strikes First. Nevertheless jumping right into the action is Heroes and Martyrs which has every element of a perfect Bad Religion song, and it does not disappoint. The next 4 track blow the roof off of wherever you might be enjoying this record. Particularly the soaring chorus in New Dark Ages, and the unreasonably exciting backing "ooozzin ahhhs" and "heys"and "requiem" from Requiem for Dissent.

Losing its footing momentarily, the album offers Honest Goodbye which falls pretty flat. But never fear, Dearly Beloved has the cure for any ailment its preceding track causes.


Never again losing its momentum the album rockets on for 8 more tracks. And not a bad one amongst them. Grains of Wrath has the harmonizing chorus we have all grown to love, as well as a pretty kick ass guitar solo from one of the three guitar geniuses present. Mr. Graffin's vocals are a focal point on the slightly subdued Lost Pilgrim. And keeping with the tradition from the last three records the album comes to a close with an epic song, Fields of Mars, but this time there is a piano (!) and it opens with a certified face melting lead line, again courtesy of one of the guitar folks.

Bad Religion cannot be stopped. For my money one of the absolute greatest bands of all time. Having gone through several line-up shifts over the years, this incarnation seems to be the best. Graffin and Mr. Brett's songwriting collaborations are spot on. Having been a band for almost 30 years its is certainly noteworthy that these graying punk rockers still maintain social relevance. They manage to channel the anger of their generation and still stay in touch with the youth of today. Blazing indictments of the government are abound as well as accusations thrown liberally at society, as if to scream "it will only change if you want it to!!!"

A huge contributor to their recent records excellence is drummer Brooks Wackerman. Hands down the best punk drummer out there. He has no fear about going for anything and seems completely at home playing with the band.

Of course rounding out their sound is Gret Hetson, Brian Baker, and Jay Bently. Excellent musicians. I look forward to Bad Religion's future releases. And as we have learned in the past even if they release 2 shitty records in a row, they will only come back twice as hard the next time. I think that as long as there is evil in the world Bad Religion will be here to help us combat it. Or at least write a freakin awesome song with kick ass drum and guitar parts, oh year, and some vocal harmony.

Yeah, so what if I'm giving this record 4 stars??? I challenge you to write and record a better album. I suppose one day I will review another CD that I give a bad review (please see our review of the new Coheed and Cambria album...BOO!!!) but where is the fun in that?

Long Live Bad Religion.

Ben Weasel and His Iron String Quartet: These Ones Are Bitter

My Right to say what I want, and release a CD on ITUNES...


reviewed by: Pete

I am probably one of the biggest Screeching Weasel fans out there. I have every album, even the shitty ones, I have read the Ben Weasel books, I have had two different white Weasel shirts, and (check this out) my copy of "boogadaboogadaboogada" has a green cover, not a pink one. What I have always found endearing was the simplicity in the songs, and how they were almost given merit by the emotion in Ben Weasel's voice. Even if he was singing about characters from Happy Days having sex, or one of the Brady family snapping and disposing of the rest of the bunch. When his first solo album, "Fidatevi", came out a few years ago I instantly ordered it and greedily listened to it over and over again. Only to slowly realize that it kind of sucked. There were a few good tracks but they were overshadowed the poor production value and the fact that the playing, singing and songwriting was all pretty sub-par.

Cut to 2007. First of all releasing this new record as a digital release only is kind of frustrating. I like to be able to hold the CD and look through the booklet a thousand times, reading the lyrics and trying to really get a feel for the song. Plus I can't possibly put a burnt CD into one of my CD booklets...can I? Packaging notwithstanding, I was certainly wary about this because of his previous solo release, but after checking out a few songs on his myspace page I decided I would take the risk. What I found was quite a surprise. Mr. Weasel seems to have had the same feelings about "Fidatevi" as I did, and attempts here in "These Ones Are Bitter" to right the wrongs of his previous outing, and mostly succeeds.

His "Iron String Quartet" consists of members of Alkaline Trio and All American Rejects. Also, according to the liner notes (that I downloaded) it is also produced by a member of The All American Rejects. I can say that from the very first note on opening track "Let Freedom Ring" it sounds like the song could be squeezed onto any Screeching Weasel album and no one would ever notice the difference. Only one thing that would tip people off:Ben Weasel sounds really really good here. Hands down the best vocal performance of his to date. He still has his smarmy, attitude drenched whine, but its smoother and sounds as if he has been practicing. The music is great, and the production value is top of the line. The songs are typical, straight forward punk rock tunes, but more of a guitar driven sound dominates this release than previous Weasel material.

There are two songs mentioning a girl named Jeanette, presumably someone in Ben Weasel's life. Or maybe he just liked the way the name rhymed with stuff. The two songs "All Over" and "Jeanette" feature lines such as "You're sour all over baby" and "Spitting your venom one minute and then shamelessly changing your tone again" which both make me think that maybe this Jeanette person is a bitch...

There are plenty of high points aside from those mentioned above. The ongoing theme of the seasons returns here on "The First Day of Spring" an excellent entry in the series. "Blue is the Ocean" has a great guitar line as it fades out. Fast forward a few tracks and you find "Addition by Subtraction" a classic poppy Weasel song, which is as good as any song any other band is writing now. The record comes to a close with two great tracks, "In a Bad Place" is as epic a song as Weasel has ever written. It is slow, and building to the climax he has learned exactly when its time to hit the distortion pedal and sing a little louder. It sounds like "Last Night" from their album ""Emo" except sung by an adult. It closes with the repeating chorus "How could the Sun Be so Cold". The last track is "Only in November" which is a perfect way to close out this record, with Weasel singing about past loves, mistakes, and how he doesn't care about them anymore.

I don't listen to Screeching Weasel as much as I used. I guess when you get older you decide you need more 'complicated' and grown up music. Well screw that. I'm going to go listen to "My Brain Hurts" and "Emo". I was almost at two and a half star for this, but then I realied how damn good Ben Weasel really does sound, and also how much better this is than his previous solo record. I recommend you pick up (http://www.itunes.com/) this record because it isn't the best but it will help you remember why you loved Screeching Weasel in the first place.

High Points:

Let Freedom Ring

Got My Number

The First Day of Spring

Addition by Subtraction

In a Bad Place

Only In November

Low Points:

Give It Time. and thats about it.

Ben Weasel and His Iron String Quartet's These Ones Are Bitter

Released in 2007

Westbound Train:Transitions

I'm Sorry Mama I never meant to make you dance, so tonight I'm cleanin out my closet.

Reviewed by: Pete

Listen to this album without tapping your feet and swaying a little. I freakin dare you. Of course you couldn't do it. Westbound Train is the real deal. They took elements of ska / reggae / soul /motown /blues and funkified it. No distorted guitars or crazy drum parts. Just good old fashion jamming.

The record opens with a great ska tune in "Please Forgive Me", which starts you off on a trip around several different genres. Not trapping themselves into any conventions is the best thing a band can do, it ensures that nothing is ever stale or overplayed. Westbound Train has mastered that concept. In "Good Enough" there is a distinctly traditional reggae feel, but the very next track "For The First Time" feels like a Stevie Wonder song (both in music and lyrics). A few tracks later, when "I'm No Different" starts out, I don't think anyone would have been surprised if Sam Cooke started singing instead of the regular singer. (Who, incidentally, is Obi Fernandez). "I'm Gone" sounds like a blues song played in Jamaica, which plays directly into the big band style horns of the next track "The Runaround" which features a great rapping verse focused on the slight imperfections of the singers voice, which make it sound awesome.

When it comes to musicianship these guys ain't no joke. There are two mostly instrumental tracks, "Soul Revival" being the superior. It is just a fun, organ driven dance song with occasional one line inspirations such as "No time for prayin' only time for layin' baby".

The song goes on and dares you not to "feel the power" of the Soul Revival. I, for one, am now a soul revivalist. It was the saxophone solo.



The album comes to a close with two slower offerings: "When I Die" which features an even better saxophone solo! And an extremely catchy horn part that will have you whistling along immediately. The final track is the six minute soul jam "Travel On" which eases you out of the last hour of excitement. A fantastic song with some added female vocal parts put a cap on a great record.

Not a flawless release, but a really goddamn fun album to listen to and enjoy. Get it.

Westbound Train

Transitions

released 2006

Joe Strummer and the Mescaleros: StreetCore

You lot! What?Don't stop! Give it all you got!...

Reviewed By: Pete

I'm obviously a few years late on this one, but with the release of the Joe Strummer movie this week I figured this would be kind of topical.

In the dictionary of phrases (if such a thing exists), next to "Going Out With A Bang" there should be a picture of this record. This is an excellent release which proves definitively that Joe Strummer was one of the greatest rock and rollers of all time. The album starts off with a straight up, guitar driven, rock songs in "Coma Girl" and jumps right to Strummer's famous style of reggae in "Get Down Moses." The band slows down the pace with "Long Shadow" which has a Johnny Cash feel to it, but with even more of a snarl. (which includes one of the best lines of Strummer's career, as the song comes to a close he adds, almost as an afterthought,: "Somewhere in my soul....There's always Rock and Roll")

The band puts the brakes on halfway through the record, but slow isn't bad. The songwriting and lyrics are still enough to keep your ears perked, including the haunting chorus in "Ramshackle Day Parade" and the brilliant cover of "Redemption Song". The six minute "Midnight Jam" truly lives up to its name.

Strummer died unexpectedly during the recording process of this album and it makes it much more meaningful. It also is depressing, and yet awe inspiring... In awe of Strummer's ability to continuously release relevant and highly exciting music, but depressing because there are no more new Joe Strummer albums to be released. Which brings us to the last song "Silver and Gold" , which is almost tear inducing. Mr. Strummer sings to us about everything he wants to do before he dies. As we know he went off to punk rock heaven in 2002, so he may not have achieved all of his goals, but imagine writing and recording something like this, and it ends up acting as your legacy. Not too shabby. Well Done Mr. Strummer.

High Points

Pretty Much the whole thing.

Low Points
Pretty Much Nothing

Joe Strummer and the Mescaleros' Streetcore

Released 2003