Author: teamupstarter

State of Grace – State of Grace

(c) 2008 Hellcat Records
[rating:3/5]

Three cheers for the Street Dogs my friends, back again with a brand new record. The disc will be out soon on none other than Hellcat Records. It all seems very full circle, what with Hellcat being the home of the Dropkick Murphy’s. (for those of you outside the know, Street Dogs’ Mike McColgan is the former frontman of those very same Dropkick Murphy’s) Since their forming in 2002, Murphy’s connection aside, Street Dogs have come into their own.

With the lineup currently cemented as Mike McColgan on Vox, John Rioux (of Bruisers fame) on Bass, Marcus Hollar and Tobe Bean III splitting guitar duties and Paul Rucker on drums the collective Street Dogs deliver to you a State of Grace. 11 punk rock songs with a distinctive Boston flair. The songs are about life. The lyrics have depth. It’s very existence offers promise. After the slew of post nu-metal mallrat pablum that has disgraced the the name of music lately, it is great to hear a disc that not only is true to form punk rock, but also has some meaning. It is very easy to discern when a band believes in what they do or if they are just going through the motions. Street Dogs’ State of Grace is very obviously the former. With a formidable foundation and diehard persistence State of Grace is the Street Dogs best effort to date.

–Jerry Actually

The Gaslight Anthem

The Gaslight Anthem "Senor and the Queen" EP (c) 2008 Hey, Gaslight Anthem, New Jersey just called and they want Bruce Springsteen back. No, I am totally just kidding. Gaslight Anthem is a Rock and Roll band from straight outta New Brunswick, New Jersey, and here's the juice: Any band worth their cajones that comes from Jersey owes a bit of respect to The Boss.This EP is full of mad respect.  Senor and the Queen is a bit of a teaser EP after 2007's well hailed "Sink or Swim" and in anticipation of a new forthcoming full length.  However short though it may be, it is packed with guts and rock.  Reminiscient of Bruce, Ryan Adams and Nathan Asher, but with a bit more underlying punk snear.  No matter what, I look forward to the new full length.  In the mean time you can pick up your copy of Senor and the Queen when you catch The Gaslight Anthem on tour in a town near you.  What the hell, go to a town far away and see them and get a copy.–Jerry Actually

Handheld [S/T]

Handheld(c) 2008 Year of the Sun "Good morning Canada. How are you today?" "Oh just fine thanks. What can I do for you?" "Well, I'd like some new punk rock. What have you got?" "Well, we have this new self-title CD from some of our favorite sons, Handheld." "Hmmmm, Handheld you say. I've never heard of them. Are they any good?" "Are they any good? well of course they are. Maybe you should keep reading."   Hailing from (what I can only assume it the Canadian equivalent to the OC) Kitchener, Ontario, Handheld have been cranking out the punk rock in true DIY fashion, booking their own shows, self-financing their releases, paying for their own beer (yeah right). Seriously though, the DIY ethic and personal pride shine through in their music. Handheld's new self-titled release brings a melodic and emotional, yet quick paced punk melange somewhere in the vein of  Face to Face vs.  The Lawrence Arms.  15 regularly scheduled tracks and one bonus track special should help push the ratings up for new and old fans alike. Enjoy!–Jerry Actually

The Loved Ones – Build and Burn

(c) 2008 Fat Wreck Chords
[rating: 2.5/5]

Following up 2006’s “Keep Your Heart”, The Loved Ones are back with 10 news tracks on “Build & Burn”. I wasn’t familiar with the band prior to this release, but I like what I hear. They have a blue collar, american anthemic rock’n punk sound akin to the Street Dogs and Hudson Falcons. Mix that with riffs akin to No Use For A Name and a vocalist that reminds me a bit of Milo (Aukerman) and you get a pretty damn well rounded punk band. So cheers for the sophomore effort of The Loved Ones. 10 songs of choices and consequence to help you through your dreary workaday life.

–Jerry Actually

The Loved Ones [Build & Burn]

The Loved Ones – Build & Burn(c) 2008 Fat Wreck ChordsFollowing up 2006’s “Keep Your Heart”, The Loved Ones are back with 10 news tracks on “Build & Burn”. I wasn’t familiar with the band prior to this release, but I like what I hear. They have a blue collar, american anthemic rock’n punk sound akin to the Street Dogs and Hudson Falcons. Mix that with riffs akin to No Use For A Name and a vocalist that reminds me a bit of Milo (Aukerman) and you get a pretty damn well rounded punk band. So cheers for the sophomore effort of The Loved Ones. 10 songs of choices and consequence to help you through your dreary workaday life.–Jerry Actually

Primasonic [Denver]

Primasonic – Denver (c) 2008Primasonic, Denver based Punk (and/or) Rock outfit shakes it like a rock band, not unlike The Strokes, The Hives, The Vines (monosyllabic names ad infinitum) They, however, have some things going on for them that the aforementioned bands do not. Namely, they have four syllables in their band name, and if you don’t count the word “the” (and I dont) that makes them at least four times as good as any of those other bands I mentioned. Seriously though, Primasonic has their roots firmly planted in Rock n’ Roll but with plenty of Punk attitude. Similar to the resurgent sounds of The Humpers or US Bombs. Their new release due out sometime this year packs 13 tracks of spit and vitriol as well as one “radio edit” (we will scratch that one from the record) Hijinks and facetiousness aside Primasonic has got the rock and they bring the chops. Good new music with and old music vibe comein’ at ya straight outta Denver, CO. Plus to prove their mystical combining of the elements, you get the requisite covers of Paint it Black and Something to Do … Bonus!–Jerry Actually

Teenage Bottlerocket – Warning Device

(c) 2008 Red Scare Industries
[rating:3/5]

Teenage Bottlerocket – Warning Device

Destination: Laramie, Wyoming.

Object of interest: Teenage Bottlerocket.

Release: Warning Device.

It seems that things have come full circle again. This time, in of all places, Laramie Wyoming. Who would have thought that this smallish cow town could be harboring its own DIY scene and the current Ramones-core heir apparent, Teenage Bottlerocket. I’ll tell you. It wasn’t me.

Never the less, Teenage Bottlerocket’s sophomore release on Red Scare, “Warning Device” is an instant pop punk hit. Despite, or more likely because of the heavy Ramones influence, fans of The Ramones, Screeching Weasel, The Queers and the like should go totally stupid over the 13 pogo-inducing punk songs. I especially enjoy how much track six, “Social Life” is reminiscent of “I don’t Wanna Grow Up”.

I look forward to more quality punk rock in Teenage Bottlerocket’s future. And when you listen to “Warning Device”, and you will, think about this. There is awesome old school punk rock and a DIY scene coming out of Wyoming. What did you do today?

–Jerry Actually

Siouxsie [Mantaray]

Siouxsie Sioux – Mantaray (c) 2007 Decca Records “Mantaray” is the first solo album from Siouxsie [No Banshees. No Creatures.] [Despite it being a solo release it still has everything] from the [familiar] tribal beats to the original sounds of Siouxsie and the Banshees. If you like the creatures and all of Siouxsie Sue, I guarantee you’ll like this cd. So go get it!–Super Leslie

The Wonder Years [Get Stoked On It!]

The Wonder Years – Get Stocked On It! (c) 2007 No Sleep Records Ok, I can't say that I'm totally "Stoked On It!".  It isn't unpleasant, but it didn't really grab me and shake me by the neck either. I think maybe the middle of the road tempo kind of put me into a lull.  Sure there are faster bits, and some hardcore backing vocals, but if you apply an average across the tracks it all kind of sets a course for rock.  That being said, the song content is tongue in cheek and I do enjoy that.  Bottom line, The Wonder Years aren't so bad, but I'd like to see them commit to one direction or the other a bit more.–Jerry Actually 

The Briefs [The Greatest Story Ever Told]

The Briefs – The Greatest Story Ever Told (c) 2007 BYO RecordsBehold as the history of The Briefs unfolds before you very eyes. Formed in the wee young year of 2000 in a post grunge Seattle, The Briefs kick out ’77 style fun loving punk rock. If you’re into this sort thing, the DVD comes jam packed w/ over two hours of Briefs footage including live, practice and studio footage and of course, the complete history of The Briefs. Along w/ the video you also get a bonus eight track live CD. Incidentally, The Lawrence Arms may have already tried to tell you the greatest story ever, but did they give you a DVD to go with it? No! I didn’t think so! So kick back and watch and listen to the greatest story ever told.–Jerry Actually