(c) 1999 Hellcat Records
Rating: 
Set aside special time each day during which you devote your time to this precious record. The Pietasters are back again with their new studio release “Awesome Mix Tape #6” (out August 3rd on hellcat) What is it about The Pietasters that just grabs my soul and whips it around and won’t let go? I’ll be damned if I can pinpoint it, but something about this seven piece Ska band from DC just makes me feel allright. Ever since I saw them the first time, opening for the Bosstones, I was hooked. They had an intense quality and a drinking Irish East Coast Swagger. None of this is lost on the new release. I have heard a lot of negativity from people after Willis came out, bitching that it wasn’t as good as ooolooloo. Damn them I say, The Pietasters are a brilliant band with amazing musicianship that comes across even better live. On the new release they weave a exciting blend of traditional ska, dub, reggae and soul with the occasional punkesque guitar, combined with clever even if somewhat chauvanistic lyrics. the effect as a whole creates an album not only worthy of the 4 “ups” I gave it, but an album that gets better every time you play it (if your not convinced, refer to the first sentence.)
–Jerry Actually
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I don’t know what to say except that perhaps the title of this new NOFX release is far to aptly correct. “The Decline” leaves me a little underwhelmed and a little disappointed. The comedic yet poignant NOFX that I once knew is gone for the moment. I’m not going to give up on them (’cause I didn’t like “Heavy Petting Zoo” either) but here’s the deal a little less art boys and a lot more rock. the CD starts out well enough for the first couple (or what I assume to be) tracks and then it drops right out. I know there are some die hard NOFX fans out there that are gonna be pissed reading this, but then again they’re probably 15. Another thing is that this CD is very politically charged, not this this bothers me, but again it is a departure from what I’ve grown to enjoy from NOFX. I guess it’s good to vent, but get on with it and get back to the good times I have grown to love/loathe.
Hats off to the new release from Midwest boys done good MU330. I’ve been a fan of these guys since I first saw them in ’93. They’ve gone through quite a few line up changes since the get go, but they keep it up strong. The new release is a crispy ska punk blend with all the dueling trombones you could ever want. Even though Jason (Nelson) isn’t there any more guitarist/vocalist Dan Pothast does an equally good if not better job of putting together and pulling off clever tunes. Visit them on the web at www.mu330.com It’s a damn good cd. Go get it. Out now on Asian Man Records.
I get so innundated with punk rock music that sounds exactly like punk rock music sounds. It becomes very difficult to descern one band fron the next. They have to have something that stands out from the crowd, or they have to be really rockin’ when I’m drunk. Sweden’s Bombshell rocks are a slightly better than average punk band. don’t get me wrong I’m not being harsh. I like the CD. I’d play it for my friends in casual settings, and I’d bring it along on road trips if I had the room, butt… Heres how it is though, it’s like bottled water. There are umpteen bazillion brands of bottled water and each and everyone is wet and watery and just about the same. So anyway if you like punk rock in the style of mid career Rancid, Swinging Utters, Humpers etc… Get this CD. If that aint your bag, keep away. 
Oh my God, these Swiss cats fucking rock. Punkabilly with a slight two-tone twist. This disc is not to be missed. If you don’t like it then you’re a DICK!. This CD is the second release from Switzerlands Rockabilly combo “Peacocks” In Without knocking left me wanting more and more and in bad need for a U.S. West Coast Tour. From the gritty Rockabilly of “You’re Not Better” to the silly acoustic of “Fleamarket” Peacock’s are a blast buy this album play it for your friends, play it for your mom. I’m taking these guy to the top of the stairs so get out of the way
I’ve got to admit, I’ve been planning to crucify the next review to come my way. After all, a critics job is to criticize, right? So along comes this CD from the Cadillac Tramps. “Cadillac Tramps Live”, no less! I’m thinking, “A live album is the kiss of death for any no-name band frum Kaliforney”, it’s on now! We’ll start with the album art… OK, so it’s got a pretty cool painting on the cover. Sort of a Grateful Dead thing going on here. Kudos to the hippy artist. You know what I really hate? It’s a band that needs to prop up it’s lack of talent with flashy cover art! (Quick peek at the back…) “Song titles, hmm…” Here, i always look for the “recurrent theme” syndrome (Sadly, these guys can’t seem to focus on anything). Open the case and your eyes are immediately assaulted by a collection of bad tattoo cliche’s. Cheeky! I wouldn’t put any of these on my dog. Oh, sure. I’d tattoo a couple of them on my cat. But that would mostly be an excuse to shave him. I like to actually read the credits, particuliarly the people who get the back pats. The CT’s lose points with me here. They thank “Shannon”, the name of this bitch who dumped me (“Shannon, you harpy from hell, can’t you just let me get on with my life?!). Alright, enough already. Let’s just throw in this CD and get it all over with. Ah, ha! These guys are so obviously fibbing about this being a live album: It’s way too tight to be recorded outside of a studio! And that singer! He’s very reminescent of Jello Biafra. Too bad for you, my friend. Those are awfully big shoes to be sounding like. The first few songs were pretty good, but then the rest of the album just sort of continues on like that. As much as I regret, I wouldn’t exactly describe the lyrics as overly insipid and, if you listen, you can actually understand most of what’s being sung (What is up with that?!). Overall, I’d say that this CD was tight, well-written, and an impressive display of the Cadillac Tramps talents, if you like that sort of thing. Maybe with practice, these guys will get their act together, I don’t know. My advice would be for them to get out of town more. Regular and frequent touring up and down the west coast (Portland and Seattle, in particuliarly) would be a good start on their road to recovery. 
The first impression that I got from this CD was the same as the final impression that it left me with–mediocre. Though this CD was recorded 8 and 7 years earlier than released, it is very possible that they have improved dramatically in their respective projects if at all. There is no place in the insert where you can find out just who is playing what and when (quite possibly for a reason.) This is a combination of two previously released discs, Rabbit Wreaking Havoc (1991) and Another Day (1993.) Thumper just may be Steve Vai does Ska. Definitely a metal overtone to a majority of these songs. The vocalist seems to be struggling a good amount of the time, and the guitars seem to me to be very, very metal (Call me crazy but I like ugly distortion or straight clean guitars.) Their horn section sounds like it just may have been recruited from the local high school’s second chair (although there are a few good arrangements.) As an added bonus, some drunk guy managed to stumble on this CD and scratched the hell out of it making it impossible to review songs 11 through 18. Thanks, but I think I’ll pass on this one. 
Ahoy Ahoy!, These guys are great! they make me happy when ever I listen. “Overboard” the newest offering by Chicago’s Deal’s Gone Bad is an exceptional piece of work. It’s got everything I require in a heavy personal rotation 3rd wave Ska CD. There’s bouncing beats, pumping keys, tasteful vocals and great horns and a touch ‘o comedy ala track 10 “Shiver Me Timber” With a reverence to the past and multi-pint toast to the future Deal’s gone bad puts forth a fresh offering into a recently sagging Ska scene. (notice the journalist like cheesy quotable quip…) never the less, I like this CD a lot and the more I listen to it the more I like it. Remember to go to your local shows too, If you don’t support the shit that you like it will go away.