WRUV Reviews

Koffin Kats- Our Way & The Highway
Release date: 2012Jan24
Label: Sailor’s Grave Records
Rating: 5/5

The Koffin Kats return with a brand new slab of kickass punkabilly. If you’re not a fan of this genre, avert your eyes & ears because this is a feast for fans of that genre. Most tracks have themes relating to booze and cars, which fits that demographic perfectly. “Riding High” gets things moving on a high note with a blast of upright bass and rapid-fire vocals. “The Way of the Road” has some bluesy licks thrown in for good measure in what is otherwise another excellent, fast-paced track. “Severing Ties” reminds me a lot of The Horrorpops in the structure. Filthy fuckabilly! “The Devil Asked” is one of the strongest tracks with an interesting opening that expands into more fast-paced punkabilly. The Koffin Kats throw in enough variety to where this album doesn’t sound as repetitive as I originally thought it would be. Other great tracks include “Choke” (I’d love to listen to this while driving..it’s just that good), “A Terrible Way” (sprinkles in some harmony in addition to the usual) and “Locket of Sin” (a tribute to the rockabilly of yesteryear?). A marvelous effort from the Koffin Kats! Check it!

FCC: Clean
Try: 1,2,4,6,8,9,11

Ducky Boys- Chasing The Ghost
Release date: 2012Jan17
Label: Self-Released
Rating: 5/5

The Ducky Boys return with their first album in several years. They hail from Boston, which has produced such diverse acts as Ganggreen, The Freeze and the Dropkick Murphys among others. “New Chapter” starts off this album with fast, street-wise punk rock. “Nobody’s Home” is even better with a sound that is highly reminiscent of The Business. Not quite oi but the spirit’s there! I get the same feel from “Surrogates”, which has a tiny bit of the early 80s midwest influence (Husker Du mainly). Other great tracks include “I Guess I’m Broken” (mellow and highly reminiscent of their older output), “I Lied” (think the DKMs but without the celtic influence), “Medicine” (a touch of folk and rockabilly) and “The Sweetest Girl” (very catchy tribute to a girl). I love this album! Download it and spin the fuck out of it! I hope the Ducky Boys keep on rocking the fuck out of Boston!

FCC: 2
Try: 1,2,4,5,12,15,16

Download: http://duckyboys.bandcamp.com/

Leisure Class- Parents Night at the Leper Colony
Release date: 2010Nov02
Label: Leisureco
Rating: 4/5

While this is not a new release, I’m puzzled as to why it took so long to make to WRUV. Regardless, this album is a compilation of tracks recorded from 1979-1994. Leisure Class is one of Detroit’s underrated gems and it shows in these tracks. “Thing Called Truth” is an excellent opener with a highly melodic approach. Think jazzy punk rock. Several bands come to mind but otherwise, it’s an unique sound. Basically, if you enjoy jazz and enjoy punk rock, you’ll appreciate this mash-up. Other great tracks include “There” (slow and jazzy with a break in the middle), “Weekend Punk” (one of the shorter tracks, raw with that awesome 70s punk sound), “Sorry I Made You Cry” (reminds me a lot of a ska track without the poppiness), “Tuberculosis is Back” (more of that 70s Detroit sound with perhaps a touch of the Sex Pistols), “It’s All True” (upbeat and makes me want to dance) and “Ready to Receive” (a long, smooth number). This is a very interesting compilation and I would recommend it for people looking for a break from the usual punk rock chaos.

FCC: Check
Try: 1,4,10,13,14,16, 19

H20- Don’t Forget Your Roots
Release date: 2011Nov15
Label: Bridge Nine Records
Rating:

It’s not too often that you see a band release an album full of covers. H20 has taken that route with Don’t Forget Your Roots, a collection of cover tracks from bands as diverse as Bad Brains, Rancid and the Mighty Mighty Bosstones. It’s kind of fitting as I grew up listening to the very same bands. Some of the better covers include “Attitude” by Bad Brains (very close to the original with a faster pace), “Satyagraha” by 7 Seconds, “I Wanna Live” by the Ramones (Joey would be proud), “Someday I Suppose” by the Bosstones (not too far from the original), “Journey To The End of East Bay by Rancid (hands down, the best cover on this album!), “Sick Boys by Social Distortion“, “Train In Vain” by the Clash (another great cover!) and “Don’t Forget The Struggle, Don’t Forget The Streets by Warzone. Overall, this is a decent album full of covers that may or may not interest fans of hardcore punk. Check it out!

FCC: 6,9,12,15
Try: 1.2.6.9,11,15

Trapper Keeper- Deadass
Release date: 2011Dec20
Label: Self-Released
Rating: 4/5

I vaguely remember seeing Trapper Keeper listed on a poster with the Cobra Skulls for a show back in was it October? Otherwise, I’ve been too damn lazy to get out and see them play. Luckily, their first album was released free via Bandcamp. The image of the album on their page describes Trapper Keeper as “fast punk” with a crossed out pop.  “GD Amy Cool Your Jets” starts things off with a delightful racket of pounding drums and guitars/bass that are oddly reminiscent of a down-tuned NOFX, only faster.

“Songs In Those Chords” reminds me a lot of No Use For A Name. “Only Dicks Don’t Like Green Day” has great flow and actually reminds me of Green Day’s older material, circa the Slappy EP. “JAMONE” Is great too. I’m content with what I’ve heard thus far. I can certainly relate with “Asthma Sucks” (inhalers are $$$) and I’m pleasantly surprised with “Bill Fucking Murray”. I too, am a huge fan of Bob Wiley, Peter Venkman and Phil Connors!

In all, a great debut by Trapper Keeper! Check them out live. I know I will!

FCC: 4,5,8
Try: 3,7,8

To download a free digital version of Deadass, go here: http://trapperkeeper.bandcamp.com/

Mighty Mighty Bosstones- The Magic of Youth
Release date: 2011Dec06
Label: Big Rig Records
Rating: 5/5

The Mighty Mighty Bosstones at one point were considered too popular for WRUV. Although they were unable to duplicate the success of Let’s Face It,  they stuck to their guns and gave back to their Boston faithful.  I’m more than psyched that they recorded The Magic of Youth (literally!). “The Daylights” gets things rolling with a blueprint that is catchy enough to be a radio single. I’d have to hear more to know for sure. “Like a Shotgun” has a similar blueprint but with a stronger focus on Dickie’s vocals. “Sunday Afternoons on Wisdom Ave” ups the ante with a sound that’s equal parts upbeat and soulful. Easily one of my favorite tracks!

“They Will Need Music” sounds a lot like a maturer version of “Someday I Suppose” but it’s good because it reminds me of why I love the Bosstones. “The Package Store Petition” is an excellent mash-up of the Boston and East Bay California ska-punk sounds. That makes three strong tracks! “The Horseshoe and the Rabbit’s Foot” is Dickie’s opus and he sounds an awful lot like the late Joe Strummer at times. It’s either that and/or the pacing that warrant a Clash comparison. I can’t think of a bad thing to say about what I’ve heard so far. The title track reinforces my belief that the Bosstones have only gotten better over the years. “The Upper Hand” leaves me wanting more, more, more! Do I hear shades of The Selecter? “The Ballad of Candlepin Paul” is peppered with poppy hooks that overload my musical sweet tooth. “Open and Honest” closes things off with a continuation of the spirit of 1992, bypassing the entire Let’s Face It era.

I love, love, love this fucking album! I personally missed the Bosstones. Over the years, I’ve dug into their older material. Their music is timeless and highly entertaining. If they plan to tour, I’d like to suggest a stop at Higher Ground. I’ll be all the way up in the front with the unruly teenagers.

FCC: Clean
Try:ALL!

Hostile Little Face- The Architect
Release date: 2011Oct10
Label: Firestarter Music
Rating: 4/5

Hostile Little Face hail from Australia and bring their blend of melodic hardcore for the masses to enjoy. “Deus Ex Machina” starts things off on a somber note that quickly increases in pace, leading into “Superhero”. The latter track is pleasantly catchy and it’s similar to stuff from bands like Set Your Goals, etc. “Without You” changes things up with a somber, almost weepy tone. I’m not feeling it. Tracks that stood out include “Steady My Arm” (I’m feeling this one…reminds me just a teeny, tiny bit of “When I Come Around” by Green Day), “All Away” (the drums take on an urgent feel and again, it reminds me of Set Your Goals, etc) and “Wait” (another on the sappy side). Overall, the vox are decent on most tracks and they have a good sense of melody. Better than I expected. Check it out.

FCC: Clean
Try: 2, 6, 9, 12

The Supplement- Self-Titled
Release date: 2011Nov11
Label: Self-Released
Rating: 4.5/5

The Supplement hails from the South Bay in California and they consist of Dano on vox, Brian Michaels on guitar, Paul Ersley on bass and Greg Yocum on drums. Their sound to my ears is a cross between modern bands like Rancid and older punk like The Stooges.

“Things We Do” confirms what I said about Rancid as it is very reminiscent of their early material. Catchy as hell too. “Heroes” is even better with a good dash of oi, especially that of The Business or Stiff Little Fingers. “Wasted Life” has all the makings of a punk classic with rapid fire hooks mated to aggressive drums.  Other tracks that I enjoy include “The Machine”, “Sinners and Sons” (not sure how to describe it but there’s a slight folk element here), “Raise Your Glass” (I’m raising mine now!) and “Didn’t Feel A Thing”.

Overall, this is an excellent album from The Supplement. I’m looking forward to future releases. I will see if I can see them live if they ever come up this way!

FCC: 3
Try: All

By The Throat- Riders of Boards
Release date: 2011Oct08
Label: Self-Released
Rating: 4.5/5

By The Throat hail from Boston and consist of Sean “The Muscle”  on guitar, Chris Brat on bass, Chris Dimwit on durms and Niff on vox and guitar. Think of old school skate punk/hardcore and this is what you’ll get. “Rider of Boards” transports me back to 1984 with aggressive hardcore punk that brings to mind Murphy’s Law, The Freeze and a bit of Minor Threat. Great way to start this EP! “Indian Summer Revenge” is equally catchy and I’m catching an Econochrist vibe, mainly in the pacing and urgency of this track. I certainly want to crack some heads in a pit. “Status Quo” is short and catchy and it leads into “Inflicted” (another excellent track!). In all, I cannot gush enough about the rawness of this EP. Check it out if you’re looking for punk and hardcore that isn’t a rehash from Fat Wreck Chords!

FCC: Try the radio edits
Try: 5,6

Aiden- Some Kind of Hate
Release date: 2011Oct25
Label: Victory Records
Rating: 3/5

I honestly don’t know why I bother to review certain albums. I wasn’t a fan of Aiden’s last release and this release is o.k so far. For the unfamiliar, I consider Aiden to be a poor man’s version of The Misifts. In fact, they do a decent cover of “London Dungeon”, which I can certainly forgive. Not a fan of William’s vox but it’s passable. I can’t say the same for their cover of “Transmission” by Joy Division. I just prefer the original. Regardless, the rest of the album is a hodgepodge of “post-hardcore” with a slight horror rock feel. “Deactivate” and “In The End” are decent tracks in their own right. As for Aiden’s plight, I would suggest that they slow down their current sound and masquerade as a bad Misfits cover band. Hell, they’re not Calabrese either. Also, the lyrics need a bit of work. Otherwise, check this out if you like that kind of thing.

FCC: 2,3
Try: 4,5,10