Sin Voz – Death to the IMF (c) 2006 Sin VozStraight outta Berkeley comes Sin Voz (that's Without Voice for those of you too inept to use an online translator). They submit for your approval "Death to the IMF" I can only assume that they are referring to the "Interplanetary Magnetic Field" when they espouse their desire to destroy something that bears its initials. Aside from plotting something that would obviously irreversibly alter the world as we know it, "Death to the IMF" is also a sonicaly diverse eight song E.P. Vaguely like a cross species of Morrisey and Sublime, yet oddly Sonic Youth. Add a splash of some post Grundge Eddie Vetter. Speed it up a notch, on some of the tracks, and you've got some sort of idea of what I'm listening to right now. It seems to me that Sin Voz is working on making some rather transcendent music. I should expect no less from folks that haunt the UC Berkely campus. Overall a refreshing sound in comparison to much of the tripe slid across my desk, however it also is a bit on the depressive side. I think the mix would benefit from a little more edge. It seems as though it was softened up a wee bit too much. That aside if you like moody tempermental alternative, give ol' Sin Voz back some of their voice in the form of cold hard cash. Their E.P. is available via iTunes and CD Baby . –Jerry Actually
Author: Jerry Actually
Headed for the Smoke
Headed for the Smoke – Dance & Destroy (c) 2006 A.T.S. RecordsHello hard rockin' 70's. Welcome back. Where ya been? Well Jerry, we've been hangin' out with Headed for the Smoke and teaching them our guitar powered, arena drummin, thunder bass, Bon Scott vocal ways. I see. I see. Yes indeed, Dance & Destroy, the new EP from Headed for the Smoke contains some serious Rock & Roll. As with a lot of rock from both yesterday and today, Headed for the Smoke hails from Boston. It seems as though you can't shake a stick at Boston these days with out knocking the weed out of the hands of some Rock & Roll band. I'm not the biggest fan of rock out there by any stretch of the imagination, but these fellas seem pretty genuine and they got some catchy hooks. If you like the rock, you go buy this EP now and support a few workin' class rockers.–Jerry Actually
Blood Vessels
Blood Vessels – S/T (c) 2006 Teenage Heart Records They were just another band out of Boston. Livin' out of bars, sleepin' in their cars. They practiced every night in the street. Well ok, maybe they didn't go to MIT or have day jobs at Polaroid, but Blood Vessels is, in fact, outta Boston. Blood Vessel's self-titled release out now on Teenage Heart Records evoke a more rock version of some of Zeke's better material. Along with that rock however, you get some of the elements of rock that I could live with out: wankin solos, songs over a brazillian years long. I can get past the former if they are short, but having the epic four plus minute tracks make this disc seem a lot longer than its 35 minutes. All of this aside, this is good rock. It beats the shit out of The Strokes or The Hives or The Vines or any of the radio rock crap your likely to hear. Bottom line: punk flavored rock that sometimes rocks too hard. –Jerry Actually
The Pinstripes [Higer Ground]
The Pinstripes – Higher Ground (c)2006 The PinstripesWelcome to Cincinnati Ska, Pinstripes style. Higher Ground, the new full length disc from Ohio ska outfit The Pinstripes shows some hard earned depth and maturity. It has been a while since I reviewed the EP prior to this release and I have to say that I'm impressed with the growth both in musicianship and songwriting. Vocals (mostly female fronted) and the horns are smoother. The musical structure is more refined and the group is tighter as a whole. The Pinstripes are bringing some much need energy back to the lagging ska scene. The songs range from quirky covers: "Walk like a Jamaican" and both political and socio-ethical concerns: "Immigration Song" and the re-released perennial favorite "Fast Food Economy. Beyond that the band has toned down the youthful goofiness and schtick of the previous release. They are learning the ropes of what works for the band and what does not. Above all The Pinstripes, through dedication and continued effort, are a refreshing breath of air in the current stagnant rock star nightmare of todays music.{mos_sb_discuss:3} –Jerry Actually
Ill Nino [Under Cover Sessions]
Ill Nino The Under Cover Sessions (c) 2006 Cement Shoes RecordsPrior to the release of their next LP, Ill Nino (or their label) attempts to cash in with a brief 5 song e.p. It contains 2 original studio tracks that suck and 3 covers. The Peter Gabriel cover and the Nirvana cover are good everything else is pretty lame. They have a Sepulturaesque tribal drum thing going and that is cool. Here is the deal though, growling vocals suck a goat. Get over your self and learn to sing. It you can’t do that, at least learn to annunciate. Get it? Got it? Good! They sent me a sticker though and I appreciate that. Yet still Two thumbs up, 8 thumbs down.With all our love,Team !upstarter
Dennis Bagwell [Paid in Full]
Dennis Bagwell – Paid in Full (c) 2006 Batteryface Records Dennis Bagwell, the modern day beat poet, brings back more angry diatribe. He lashes out at governments and stupid war. He's equally brutal to big religion. I could deal without the xenophobia though. His ability to use a poetic, spoken word format to share his opinions is phenomenal. Some of these tracks are downright, flippin awesome. Much love,Team !Upstarter.
Scars of Tomorrow [The Failure in Drowning]
Scars of Tomorrow – The Failure in Drowning (c) 2006 Victory RecordsScars of tomorrow makes me want to make scars of today in my fucking ears. Their weak attempt at metal and arena drums only helps to promote the scars in my ear drums. Say it don’t spray it jerks. You’re so black and evil and dark. I want to be your ear nose and throat guy and make a frickin’ mint. There is some decent riffs on occasion, but you go ahead and fuck it all up with the growling screams. Let me reiterate, Rah Rah Re Rah! 13 thumbs down. With loving respect,Team !upstarter
Skannibal Party 6
Skannibal Party 6 – V/A (c) 2006 Mad Butcher RecordsWorld wide Ska! Yeah baby, bring it! This edition of the Skannibal Party collection is definitely worth listening to all the way through. Despite any language barriers, good ska is good ska no matter how you sing it. Get this CD. Pop it in. Fun will be had by all. Sooner or later everyone will be skankin' around you living room or porch or dorm room or eurovan. As an added bonus it goes well with beer and BBQ. Seriously this comp is cool; it literally has ska from around the world. Get yours today.Love Team !upstarter
The Generators
The Generators – The Winter Of Discontent (c) 2006 Sailor's Grave RecordsSo I receive this CD with a band named the Generators and I think sweet that is a great name. I put the CD in and give it a listen. The first thing that comes to mind is that these guys sound familiar and I am right they do. They sound like everyone else that came before them and I understand that this is not their first CD but all this music doesn't sound very original. I am sure they are great at what they do but it is just not for me. If you like music that everyone else has done you should go out and buy it. Although if you like you music a little more original then look elsewhere.
No Respect
No Respect – Excuse My Smile (c) 2006 Mad Butcher RecordsWhat we have here is a gem of a re-release from the pioneering German Ska/Punk band No Respect. Originally released almost a decade ago and re-pressed earlier this year, Excuse My Smile offers you 14 tracks of wicked good anti-nazi anti-fascist Ska/Punk. This was pretty ground breaking stuff back in '97 and the message and the music have stood the test of time. Though sometimes the sentiment seems a little less popular and a little worse for wear, the world still needs music with a positive message and the ability to rock and the same time. Because of that need, No Respect is still going strong with new material and their own flavor of rock. Keep up the grand work fellas.