WRUV Reviews

The Generators- Between The Devil And The Deep Blue Sea
released July 13, 2010 on People Like You Records

The Generators were formed in 1997 with members of defunct band Schleprock and this is their ninth full-length release. The album opens with “Sound Off The Alarms”, which is a dose of fast street punk with a bit of a Stiff Little Fingers feel to it. Highlighted tracks include “Every Waking Moment” (similar in style to Pennywise), “Day Of Reckoning” (one of the stronger tracks), “Same Old Day”, “Somewhere In The Rain” and “Trainwreck”. Honestly, all tracks are well-done and easy to listen to. Their sound obviously has matured but in the process, they haven’t lost a step. I did detect a strong Pennywise influence in more than one song but that’s not a bad thing. It’s one of the better releases this year and I’m always looking for bands that play straight-forward street punk as it’s my favorite style. Check out this album!

FCC: 2,7
Try: 4,*5*, 9, 10

Frenzy- In The Blood
release date: September 14, 2010 on People Like You Records

Frenzy is an UK psychobilly act formed in 1983. They are made up of Steve Whitehouse (Upright bass & lead vocals), Steve Eaton (Guitars & backing vocals) and Ad Seviour (Drums & backing vocals). This is their 13th album and this is the first time I’ve heard of them. “Time Machine” starts off this album with fast-paced instrumentation and a neo-rockabilly feel to it. Highlighted tracks on this album include “Hero” (definitely psychobilly and if you’re not familiar with such, just imagine Chris #2 of Anti-Flag on stand-up bass), “Johnny Rocket”, “In The Blood” (arguably one of the stronger tracks), “Forever Ticking Clock” (similar to the first track and has a very old-school Stray Cats feel to it), “Adrenaline” and “Dark Winter” (longest track and probably the strongest of all). In conclusion, this is another fun psychobilly release and this year has been chock full of a few. It’s a style that I feel is highly unappreciated and Frenzy is another group worth checking out if you’re a fan of the style.

FCC: Check
Try: 1, *2*, *5*, 7, 9, *10*

Leiana- Lucky #3
released May 18, 2010 on FOF/EMI

Leiana is a group comprised simply of singer Leiana, Rob Caggiano (Anthrax), Sean Danielson (Smile Empty Soul), Brett Scallions (Fuel, The Doors), and John Tempesta and Ken Schalk (Candiria). If you need further background, Leiana was influenced by 70s British punk and 80s So-Cal hardcore. These influences certainly show in the music. Upon first listen, I believe that Leiana has a style similar to singers such as Joan Jett, Lita Ford and to a lesser extent, Gwen Stefani. To start off this album, “Nothing=You” is fast paced and sounds similar to Bad Religion in style with just a slight hint of The Distillers as well. It’s a good starting point for sure. Some tracks that piqued my interest are “Change” (similar in style but faster-paced), “Down To You” (very Green Day-esque in nature but that isn’t a bad thing), “Love Don’t Matter” (arguably a strong track), “Happy Now” and “I Don’t Wanna Be” (another strong track that evokes Joan Jett and Pat Benatar among others). Basically, it’s hard to describe Leiana’s music without name-dropping but it’s catchy, well-done and it will probably be mainstream before long if it isn’t already. Certainly worth checking out if you like artists that take the best of the punk and hardcore genres and add a growl or two to the mix. I like Leiana and I don’t see why you shouldn’t either.

FCC: Check
Try: 1, 2, 3, *4*, 9, *12*

The Adicts- Life Goes On
released July 13, 2010 on People Like You Records

Here’s something you don’t see everyday: A new release from a classic punk group. Other than D.O.A, there haven’t been many releases from older bands this year. If you’re familiar with the British punk rock explosion of the late 70s, you may have heard of this band. Regardless, they have added some keyboards, synths and even violin to their sound and the band still consists of Kide Dee, Monkey, Pete Dee and Mel Ellis along with Scruff and Dan. “Spank Me Hard” has that classic Brit street-punk feel to it and certainly conveys that the The Adicts haven’t really changed their sound much. One thing to note is that most lyrics are usually catchy, although they do seem to fall short in some places. As for the tracks I’d recommend?  “Freaky Deaky Boys & Girls” (very new-wave sound with cool lyrics), “Over There”, “Gangster” (feels somewhat out of place but it is certainly a chance for them to experiment with their sound and create something very listenable in the process) and “Mr.Hard” (lyrics inspired by “A Clockwork Orange” and the sound is experimental in nature…slow and slightly eccentric). I like what I’m hearing and I should correct myself and mention that The Adicts were actually at the tail-end of the British punk explosion and beginning of the post-punk/new-wave movement of the time. Overall, certainly an album to check out and let’s just say that if you like bands like The Ramones, Sham 69 and even New Model Army, you will enjoy this album.

FCC: 6,8,13
Try: 1,3,5, *7*, *12*

Mad Sin- Burn And Rise
released May 11, 2010 on People Like You Records

This is the 9th release from German psychobilly legends, Mad Sin. The first track is an instrumental that leads into “Last Gang Standing”. Fast-paced, tuneful psychobilly with a strong similarity to Tiger Army and the Nekromantix in style. Darker in nature though. Highlighted tracks include “Cursed” (fast, demented and yet, oddly similar to Sublime?),  ”Geisterfahrer” and “Fur Immer” (both sung in their native German with the former being fast paced and the latter slowed down with a hint of blues), “Wreckhouse Stomp” (imagine Fishbone playing psychobilly and you’d get this), “Nine Lives” (psychobilly with a strong country/folk influence), “Shitlist Bop” (sounds like they’re channeling the Stray Cats) and “The March Of The Deviants” (seems to incorporate a bit of ska to produce an altogether different sound). In conclusion, a very fun album to listen to and in addition to the release by The Other, it’s nice to see that the Germans are keeping psychobilly/horror punk alive and well. Check this out!

FCC: 3,7,9,10,14,15,16,17
Try: 2,4,*5*, *11*

Good Riddance- Capricorn One: Singles and Rarities
released July 6, 2010 on Fat Wreck Chords

This CD is a compilation of singles and rarities from Good Riddance. Formed in Santa Cruz, CA in 1986, they released their first album in 1990 on Little Deputy Records before being discovered by Fat Mike of NOFX. Often described as straight-edge, political melodic hardcore but they don’t hit you over the head with their sXe views like other bands. Highlights of this compilation include “Stand”, “Class War 2000″ (inspired by a TSOL song of the same name and musically similar), “Off The Wagon” (well-crafted melodies mated to strong drums), “Tragic Kingdom” (riff-heavy and anti-Disney..I like), “Little Man”, “Great Experiment” (kind of a cross between punk and grunge) and “Not So Bad”. Most of their songs were inspired by the style of RKL and other older hardcore punk bands. They’re certainly one of the better bands in the Fat Wreck lineup and this compilation is something to check out if you’re a fan of the Fat Wreck family of bands.

FCC: 7,13,14,17,21
Try: 1,2, *4*, *5*, *18*

The Other- New Blood
release date: August 31, 2010 on Steamhammer/SPV

This is the fourth release from what is described as Europe’s most famous horror-punk band. They have toured with the likes of The Misfits, Balzac, Bela B. (Die Ärzte) and The Cult among others. I can’t say that I’ve heard of them until now but I enjoy horror punk as a genre. “New Blood” opens up this album with a haunting melody that sets things up for “Back To The Cemetary”. The latter has a strong gothic feel that unfolds into blazing fast punk reminiscent of The Misfits. Other tracks that stand out include “Transylvania” (has a hint of Motorhead in it), “The Burial”, “The Lovesick Mind” (a departure from other tracks, slow and sinister as singer attempts to channel Glenn Danzig),  “Blood Runs Cold” and “Demons Walk The Earth” (obviously inspired by The Misfits due to pacing and musical style). In conclusion, it’s not a stretch to say that The Other has taken obvious influence from some of the bands mentioned in here and they’ve created something that’s fun to listen to and would probably fool fans of the Misfits and other bands within their genre. A solid album that’s sure to please fans of horror punk.

FCC: Check
Try: 2, 3, 6, 8, 12

Against Me!- White Crosses
released June 4, 2010 on Sire Records

This is the newest release from Gainesville, FL punks, Against Me! “White Crosses” starts out this album with a decent pop-punk vibe to it. “I Was A Teenage Anarchist” sounds more like a cross between emo and pop-punk with catchy lyrics. It was also released on an EP. Most of the album has a similar sound and feels like they’ve lightened up as opposed to past albums. “High Pressure Low” is decent and evokes Social Distortion in the melodies. “Rapid Decompression” sounds much like older Against Me! and it’s short, catchy and kind of what I was hoping for. “Bob Dylan Dream” is kind of folksy in nature and much slower than usual. In all, it’s a decent album and despite that, it just doesn’t live up to what I was expecting. There aren’t enough punk releases this year but you should still check this out.

FCC: 11
Try: 2,6,9

Real McKenzies- Shine Not Burn
released June 22, 2010 on Fat Wreck Chords

Latest release from Celtic punks from Vancouver B.C. All songs are acoustic. Their music is pretty much similar to bands like the Dropkick Murphys and Flogging Molly with the exception that it comes from the Scottish end of the Celtic spectrum. “10,000 Shots” has a mish-mash of instruments and a very relaxed feel to it. Something you could dance around with. “Chips” has a stronger punk influence within it but it doesn’t lose the overall folksy feel. “Whisky Scotch Whisky” is a fun track that seems to show the true spirit of this group. Lighthearted and full of infectious melodies with a good dose of bagpipes and drums. If bands like the ones mentioned above along with Gogol Bordello are your forte, then you will enjoy this album.

FCC:
Try: 3, 8, 17

Gogol Bordello- Trans-Continental Hustle
released April 27, 2010 on American Recordings

The long-awaited 5th album from this group of gypsy punks with a smorgasboard of musical influences. To categorize them as one genre would go against the very nature of what they stand for. Eugene Hutz is at it once again with his frantic energy and weathered voice contributing well to the rhythms. Pala Tute starts off this album and it sounds like a cross between ska and country/folk mainly due to the structure of the rhythms and I believe, the presence of horns. Very avant-garde and a good way to open the album. Sun Is On My Side is slowed down and nearly low-key. It breaks from the pacing of other songs to show a somber side of the band. Immigraniada (We Comin’ Rougher) is fast, frantic and is reminiscent of Bad Religion and punk in general. It should be noted that the lyrics are almost always politically aware and passionate. Take for example, Break The Spell, which talks about persecution of the Roma (gypsies) and has a similar blueprint to other songs.  When Universes Collide is also slowed down and gives Hutz a chance to expand his vocal range a bit. Overall, if you like Gogol Bordello, this album will probably satisfy your hunger. Personally, I think Gogol Bordello should be filed under “Frantic” as it explains their pacing and how they can get you moving around. Check it out.

FCC: None
Try: *1*, 5, *6*, 8, 12