Month: September 2010

Cherry Bomb

by Carrie Borzillo-Vrenna

SSE 2008

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[rating:2.5/5]

I always thought of myself as a rock chick so I thought Cherry Bomb would be a fun read. My overall conclusion is that it is a cute book but I not sure it can make me a better rock chick. Well, if I lived in Hollywood it might. It has some good parts and some boring parts.

The book starts off with a lessons on drinking Absinthe and making apple martinis which I may have to try someday. Carrie bounces back and forth between how to land a rock star boyfriend and how to dress like a rock star. Not being one who cares too much about fashion and designer clothing I found the chapters about famous rock designers boring.

Also I find that I have no need for a rock star boyfriend due to the fact that I have been married for 16 years. I believe being a rock chick is a state of mind, not the because I am wearing Gaultier or have my tongue pierced. In my book, rock chicks care less about what others think and do whatever the hell they want. Seems more like a promotion for her famous friends than a guide on how to bring out the inner rock chick.

–Kiki D

The Real McKenzies – Shine Not Burn

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© 2010 Fat Wreck Chords

[rating:3/5]

Shine Not Burn is a new 21 track live album, available now on Fat Wreck Chords, from the Scotch-Canadian folk punkers, The Real McKenzies. It is filled with rowdy booze fueled antics and 21 tracks powered by Scotts and scotch.

If you’re not familiar with The Real McKenzies, they’ve been around for a hundred years or so. Their music is to Scotland what the Dropkick Murphys are to Ireland. Is it folk? is it punk? Mostly a lot of both as well as being a lot of fun.

I’ve never had the pleasure of seeing the lads live, but by way of this disc, I can only imagine that it is a hell of a lot of positive fun. As an example of the positivity, in contrast to Flogging Molly, The McKenzies sing about the best day until tomorrow as opposed to the worst day since yesterday. Take that for what it’s worth I suppose. I like both of the bands.

At any rate, if you’re a fan of live albums, then by all means rock this one out. If not, I encourage to opt for the more polished studio discs; either way you’d be doing ok.

–Jerry Actually

The Adicts – Life Goes On

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© 2010 People Like You Records

[rating:3.5/5]

I have to admit that I’m not terribly familiar with The Adicts at all. Sure I’ve seen their logo safety pinned to the backs of countless punk rock jackets. I even know them well enough to identify them by their Clockwork Orange style. I’m sure I’ve heard plenty of their material on comps and over the PA before shows, however this is the first CD that I’ve actually sat down and listened to; Better late than never, right?

As I’m sure you all know well more than I about the band, I’ll skip the drudgery of the last 30 some years and get straight to the fresh meat. Life Goes On is a 13 track peppy catchy punk rock dish that keeps interesting and lively throughout. And while I’m admittedly a bit in the dark about the band, I can certainly tell you that it is refreshing for a band that has been playing punk rock for as many decades as The Adicts to not have watered it down.

The majority of the tracks on Life Goes On will have you singing along. Some of my personal favs for the sing along bits are tracks 3. Reaky Deaky Boys & Girls and 4. I’m Not Scared of You. Honestly, its a pretty decent disc altogether. Its chock filled with quirky and somewhat sophomoric punk rock and albeit a bit on the cartoonish side, it still has the maturity of a band that has been at it for this long. My one gripe is track 12. Mr. Hard. Every time I hear it I just can’t stop thinking that it should be about Michael Caine instead. … oh well they can’t all be songs about Michael Caine.

–Jerry Actually