CDS:
BOWLING FOR SOUP – THE GREAT BURRITO EXTORTION CASE (Jive Records)
I’m well aware that Bowling For Soup has their fan base that can’t get enough of them, but I just don’t know why. Listening to this album just reminds me of a sexual encounter with Wayne Chinsang. It\'s painful, it lacks passion, and it smells funny.
RATING: ONE STAR
DEERHOOF – FRIEND
Not wanting to overuse the term “art-punk,” I’ll just say this: If you don’t appreciate the clash of Deerhoof\'s rock with the beautifully light voice of lead singer Satomi Matsuzaki, then you’re probably a racist who also advocates using the scalps of newborn babies for traction on your car’s tires. Prove you’re on the level, and buy this album.
RATING: FIVE STARS
P.S. If you really dig Deerhoof, I must command you to check out Tsu Shi Ma Mi Re.
GUITAR BOMB – BACK ALLEY JESUS (Crafty Records)
I’m going to lay this out very simply. Punk rock. Tom Waits. Blues music. If you enjoy any one of these things, you’ll, at the very least, appreciate this album. If you hate all of the aforementioned items, the terrorists have truly won.
RATING: FOUR STARS
THE HARD LESSONS – WISE UP (Self-Released)
Trying to escape the shadow of The White Stripes might sound like a daunting task, but
RATING: FIVE STARS
THE MOONEY SUZUKI – HAVE MERCY (V2 Records)
While The Mooney Suzuki still draws influence from ‘60s & ‘70s rock ‘n’ roll, don’t expect to hear any tracks from Have Mercy while watching people cliff jumping in car commercials. The band seems to have grown into a sound that replaces heavy garage rock guitar riffs with catchy vocal melodies. However, tracks like “Good Ol’ Alcohol,” though different, prove that The Mooney Suzuki have not forgotten why people loved them in the first place.
RATING: FOUR STARS
MUM – THE PEEL SESSION (Fat Cat Records)
Though Mum’s electronic style is not something that I regularly listen to, I actually enjoyed this album. Plus, it’s damn near impossible for me to shit on something that John Peel was involved in.
RATING: FOUR STARS
MXPX – LET IT HAPPEN (DELUXE EDITION) (Tooth & Nail Records)
Having known a little about MxPx, I grabbed this disc and began thinking of all the great ways I can make fun of a re-issued album by a Christian punk band. So I was kind of bummed when I found this 32 track/DVD combo to actually be tolerable. Maybe I’ll go to heaven for saying that…probably not though. Hail Satan!
RATING: THREE STARS
SEAFOOD – PAPER CROWN KING (Cooking Vinyl)
Many may think Seafood is just a poor man’s Sonic Youth or Dinosaur Jr., but Paper Crown King really tends to grow on you, just like the annoying drunk girl as bar close nears. Honestly, though, this is a solid rock album that can be enjoyed sober, under the influence, or above the influence (as the anti-drug commercials suggest).
RATING: FOUR STARS
MARNIE STERN – IN ADVANCE OF THE BROKEN ARM (Kill Rock Stars)
Alright, I know this may sound somewhat sexist, but I’ve never heard a girl play guitar like this. Picture the energy of early Yeah Yeah Yeahs tunes with the soloing power of AC/DC’s “Thunder Strike.” Sounds pretty fucking awesome, doesn’t it? Well, it is. Plus, Marnie Stern is hot! (Okay, that was sexist, and I apologize.)
RATING: FIVE STARS
THE SUGAR SKULLS – THE SUGAR SKULLS ARE GOING TO KISS YOU NOW (Self-Released)
Don’t think that the title is a front. This band wants nothing more than to wrap its collective arms around you and love you in every conceivable way with its energetic rock power. Unfortunately, they have recently called it quits, thus leaving them to vicariously moisten your undergarments with this disc. So check out their MySpace site, and ask them ever so warmly for a copy of their EP. Your body will never be the same again.
RATING: FIVE STARS
VARIOUS ARTISTS – BRATS ON THE BEAT: RAMONES FOR KIDS (Go-Kart Records)
If you know any children under the age of ten, it is your duty to care enough about the youth of this planet to get them this disc. Brats On The Beat includes Matt Skiba (Alkaline Trio), Nick Oliveri (Queens Of The Stone Age), Blag Dahlia (Dwarves) and many others playing Ramones songs with the accompaniment of a group of kids known as the Gabba Gabba Heys. There may be a few people who didn\'t care for
RATING: FIVE STARS
Comments