WRUV Reviews

Oh No Not Stereo- InCaseOfStaresUseFire
Release date: 2011Oct11
Label: Self-Released
Rating: 3.5/5

Oh No Not Stereo hail from Los Angeles and play a decent blend of punk that has a poppy edge. They’re similar to Set Your Goals and the All-American Rejects. Vocalist Skyler Nielsen makes the first move with “Make My Move” a fast, melodic track that serves as a good opening track. It tells you what Oh No Not Stereo is all about. Some of the tracks that stood out to me included “Carnivores” (I’ve spun this the most so far), “Behind Closed Doors” (strongly reminds me of a track from the most recent Get Up Kids album), “Static Friction Heart” (though I’m NOT a fan of “love” songs, the lyrics are catchy and well-written) and “Big Hero In A Small Town” (similar to Set Your Goals). Overall, a decent album for fans of fast, catchy punk rock. I do feel it could have used a switch in direction as some tracks sounded repetitive. You can’t go wrong otherwise.

FCC: Clean
Try:  1,2,4,8,10

Gloominous Doom- Cosmic Super Ghoul
Release date: 2011Sept13
Label: DRP Records
Rating: 4/5

Gloominous Doom return with this six song EP. I enjoyed Feature and I was stoked to hear about this EP. For those not in the know, Gloominous Doom plays a blend of stoner metal, ska, thrash and surf. The inability to categorize them is part of their advantage. “Totally Awesome Definitely” shows off their thrash chops with a splash of sludge. The title track knocked me out of my chair with a mix of thundering drums and thrashing guitars. “Knuckle Sammich” is quite a departure from other tracks with poppy, danceable ska. “Trannyslvania” starts off with a short, campy intro before breaking out into a mix of old-school hardcore, reminiscent of Black Flag. “HIVampire” closes things off on a similar note with a good mix of campiness mated with old school thrash and hardcore. Don’t be fooled by this boring review. If you enjoy Gloominous Doom, just shut up and check it out for yourself!

FCC: Clean
Try: 1,3,5,6

Dead To Me- Moscow Penny Ante
Release date: 2011Oct25
Label: Fat Wreck Chords
Rating: 3/5

Dead To Me return to their roots following 2009’s African Elephants with Moscow Penny Ante, which is straight-forward punk with a poppy flair. “Undertow” starts things off on a generic, but still entertaining note. “Reckless Behavior” is much better and sounds like a mix between 7 Seconds and Screeching Weasel. After pouring through several other tracks (especially “No Lullabies” and “The Monarch Hotel”),  I became bored easily. The first few tracks feel too similar. “I Love My Problems” gives the listener a break from the generic sound with a “fuck-all” attitude and a stronger emphasis on guitars. “Victims of No Ambition” is also another attempt at breaking up the monotony. “The World Has Gone Mad” finishes it off.

I commend Dead To Me for going back to what works for them and the lyrics for “The Trials of Oscar Wilde” are intelligent.  Sadly, this album just isn’t for me.

FCC: 1,9,10
Try: 1,2,9,11,12

Star Fucking Hipsters- From The Dumpster To The Grave
Release date: 2011Oct11
Label: Fat Wreck Chords
Rating: 5/5

Star Fucking Hipsters return on Fat Wreck Chords for their third release. The lineup has changed with the replacement of P.Nut by Mikey Erg (The Ergs!) and departure of Nico De Gallo (replaced by Kelsey aka “Kill-C” of Chump-Change), though she and Yula Beeri are still credited. I see this incarnation of the Star Fucking Hipsters as an upbeat, optimistic version of Crass.

SFH hit hard with lyrics on tracks like “War Widows Vietnam” and “Death Is Never Out of Fashion” (sweet and poppy, enough to knock Ms.Salt dead after one bite).”¡Otra Vez!” contains verses in English and Spanish (and a cameo from Blackbird Raum) while “Ana Ng” is a cover of They Might Be Giants. “Honey I Shrunk The Cops!” tackles police brutality while “9/11 ’til Infinity” (w/th Boots Riley) fuses hip-hop and SFH’s signature sound. “Rapture, Rinse, Repeat” utilizes blazing fast hooks and the catchiest lyrics I’ve heard all year.  SFH hit their apex on “Drowning Out Another Year” with a decent slab of ska.

A top pick of 2011! If you’re a fan of the bands I mentioned, then what the hell are you waiting for?

FCC:2,3,4,5,7,9,11,12
Try: 2,3,4,7,8,9,11

JuiceheaD- How To Sail A Sinking Ship
Release date: 2011Oct04
Label: Misfits Records
Rating: 4/5

I’m not sure why Rob Vannice, Tommy Kloss and Mike Garelli chose to name themselves after a term for someone who abuses steroids (if that’s so, then Snooki has weird taste in men). If we went by names alone, then a hell lot of bands would be discounted far too quick. Imagine the Misfits if they chose to play straight-up punk rock and you’ll end up with JuiceheaD.  “Better Days” is a good mix of catchy punk riffs and upbeat vocals. Mike Garelli shines on drums on “Death of Democracy”, which is fast and frantic. “Lorraine” is a psychotic omen to a jilted lover.  Other great picks include “Deadly Nightshade”, “Kiss Your Pretty Ass Goodbye” (reinforces the point I made about the Misfits and punk rock), “How To Sail A Sinking Ship”, “When I Fall From Grace” (featuring the Punk Pipers on bagpipes, very reminiscent of bands like the Dropkick Murphys, Flogging Molly and The Mahones), “Rick James” (a nicely done tribute to the man himself) and “Sail On”. Overall, this is a very good album of strong, catchy punk rock from JuiceheaD. Always pleased to hear new bands and this is an album you should check out!

FCC: 4,5,6,8,13,15
Try: 1,3,4,5,8,10,12,17,19

Cobra Skulls- Agitations
Release date: 2011Sep27
Label: Fat Wreck Chords
Rating: 5/5

I must have been living in a cave because the Cobra Skulls just came into my life with simple, melodic punk with a mix of rockabilly. “Six Degrees” is fast, furious with a swagger and highly reminiscent of the Cramps. It segues into “Iron Lung”, which is like a cross between Plan A Project and NOFX with blunt and inspiring lyrics. “Now You Know” name-drops the Buzzcocks and sounds similar to “Ghost Dance” by Rancid. My other top picks are “On & On”, “Drones” (inspired by early 80s California hardcore with killer lyrics), “Solastalgia” (cynicism of everything “green”), “The Mininum” (should be the battle cry of Occupy Wall Street with a lyrical focus on the working poor) and “Running Out”. “Believe” closes off things as a somber piece backed by powerful vocals.  The Cobra Skulls are fresh, talented and it’s unfortunate that I missed their show with Nothington and Trapper Keeper at the Monkey House in Winooski. Regardless, they are an unit that you must check out and Agitations is one of my top picks for 2011!

FCC: Clean
Try: All, especially 1,2,5,7,9,10,12

Forrest Day…Slightly neurotic and heavily medicated I’m guessing by the lyrics that he writes. His voice reminds he of a combination of Howard Jones (Killswitch) & Bradley Nowell (Sublime). It’s pure, clean, subtly powerful, slight vibrato at the end of a held note. The album is all over the place, lots of different genres. “The syndicate” would have you believe that Forrest sounds like Sage Francis, Ben Folds, P.O.S., and Sublime. I’ll agree with the first and last, and add Barenaked Ladies. Since his lyrics are primarily fast talk-sung you have to throw one of the original fast talkers in the mix Steven Page from (BNL)

FCC: Track 11 -1:17 (The rest are edited)

Recommended Tracks: 3-9 &11

RIYL: Sage Francis, Sublime, Barenaked Ladies

Forrest Day - Hyperactive by ShoreFireMedia

Me First and The Gimme Gimmes- Sing In Japanese!
Release date: 2011Sept13
Label: Fat Wreck Chords
Rating: 4.5/5

Sing in Japanese! is the second EP released in 2011 by Me First and the Gimme Gimmes (Go Down Under was released in February). If you’re wondering, Me First and the Gimme Gimmes originally started out as a joke band fronted Spike Slawson (Swingin’ Utters) and featuring Fat Mike (NOFX), Jackson, Joey Cape (Lagwagon) and Dave Raun (Lagwagon). The EP title is not a joke as they do sing in Japanese, covering tracks from Japanese groups such as as “Hero” (Kai Band), “Kokoro No Tabi” (Tulip), “Kekkon Shiyoyo” (Takuro Yoshida), “C-C-C” (The Tigers), ”22 Sai No Wakare” (Kaze) and “Linda Linda” (The Blue Hearts).  My favorite tracks are “Hero” (positively poppy with good vox by Spike), “Kokoro No Tabi”, “Kekkon Shiyoyo” (a cross between NUFAN and Mr.T Experience? I think so!) and “Linda Linda”. A very fun EP that fans of pop punk will enjoy, especially if you’ve never heard anything sung in Japanese. They’re sure as hell NOT Shonen Knife!

FCC: It’s in Japanese so I dunno! Check!
Try:  All

Polar Bear Club- Clash Battle Guilt Pride
Release date: 2011Sep13
Label: Bridge Nine Records
Rating: 3.5/5

In 2009, I reviewed Chasing Hamburg from Polar Bear Club and while I wasn’t too impressed at first, it grew on me after a few spins. This is partly why I’m excited about reviewing Clash Battle Guilt Pride, their newest release. “Pawner” starts things off with a stripped-down emotional outpouring of melody mated to strong punk/hardcore instrumentation. This is their hallmark and I can’t really complain. “Screams In Caves” is decent as well but I’m not quite feeling it yet.

Things pick up with “My Best Days” because it takes on an old school sound that is reminiscent of the Mr.T Experience to my old ears. Again, there’s more emphasis on emotion. “Bottled Wind” takes a breather from their usual sound to showcase the talents of Tyler Mahurin. “Religion on the Radio” is decent as well. “3/4 Tango” closes things off.

This is another decent effort from Polar Bear Club but I’m not feeling too upbeat because the tracks seem to run together and follow a similar template. I want to see the harder side of Polar Bear Club (if there is one) and it’s just not present here. A decent release otherwise that you should check out.

FCC: 1,12
Try: 1,2,5,8,10

Misfits- The Devil’s Rain
Release date: 2011Oct04
Label: Misfits Records
Rating: 4.5/5

It’s been eight years since a new Misfits release (if you count the Project 1950 release, which I do!) and here I am, reviewing it for WRUV! if you’re wondering, this version of the Misfits features Jerry Only (vocals), Dez Cadena (guitar) and Eric “Chupacabra” Arce (drums). I’ll admit that I’ve never been a fan of most of their post-Danzig output. However, upon first listen, The Devil’s Rain shows promise in showcasing the fun side of the band once again. The title track starts off on a mid-tempo pace, an ode to their classic sound while “Land Of The Dead” is a homage to the movie of the same name with a lot of catchy hooks. Other picks of mine include “Twilight of the Dead”, “Curse of the Mummy’s Hand”, “Father” (strongest track thus far), “Jack The Ripper”, “Where Do They Go?” and “Ghost of Frankenstein” (second strongest track).

My only gripe is that it seems like they’re trying too hard to be the Misfits of old on some tracks. Otherwise, diehard fans should check this out anyway because halloween is just around the corner and there isn’t a better way to celebrate than playing the Misfits to scare children!

FCC: Clean
Try: 1,3,5,6,10,11,13,15