OPM – Golden State of Mind(c) 2008 Suburban Noise RecordsOPM, the band that brought you “Heaven is a Halfpipe”, returns with a new full length, “Golden State of Mind”. The fourth (I think) full release from the So Cal quintet brings more of the pleasing combination of Roots Dub Rock with a laid back coastal vibe that is only known to those on the left coast. The new disc delivers 14 star studded cuts including guest appearances by Pato Banton and Sen Dog (Cypress Hill) On a whole the disc is a bit “rap” heavy for my tastes, but it is also well tempered by smooth reggae rythyms and even a punkesqe rocker, track 3 “Runaway”. Moreover “Golden State of Mind” is a great party jam, capable of pleasing large groups of partiers with disparate musical tastes. So bust it out at your next swaree and when the smoke haze clears you should have about 90% smiles. Pretty good I’d say.–Jerry Actually
Category: General
Walls of Jericho – The American Dream
Walls of JerichoThe American Dream(c) 2008 Trustkill RecordsHere we are again. Metal; Brutal, ear drum splitting, spine bending metal rotates in the player before me. Walls of Jericho have it all if you are looking for an anathema to aggression. The music pounds. The riffs shred. The vocals growl. (Incidentally, singer Candace Kucsulain sounds like Patty and Selma combined, after both of which have been kicked in the throat.) That said, it would be mostly difficult for those unaware to detect that Walls of Jericho have a female lead “singer”. The American Dream fully kicks ass in a metal sort of way. The problem is that I just don’t feed on growling vocals. If they would drop the histrionics about 80% I could probably dig this band, but as it sits I grow weary of the razor’s edge growl on each and every song. (except the last track) But being that they hail from Detroit, I can see why they’re so damn pissed and far be it from me to dictate what kind of vocals you should appreciate. If snarl is your sort of thing, then by all means The American Dream f-ing rules. Seriously, I do like the music. I just can’t get past the vox.–Jerry Actually
Zebrahead – Phoenix
Zebrahead – Phoenix (c) 2008 Icon MusicWow! someone forgot to take their ritalin. Orange County band Zebrahead brings your their fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh and maybe eighth releases all on one disc. Ok ok maybe it is technically just their fourth release, but holy crap this disc is all over the place. Because of that I think that it suffers a severe identity crisis. Phoenix carries a sound that is nearly equal parts Rage Against the Machine, 311, Sugar Ray, P.O.D. and not so equal parts of bands so banal that I can’t remember them, only their typical nature. It leaves me to wonder who/what they are attempting to be. I’m not saying it is all bad, just not half good. The musicianship is top notch and the songs are performed admirably. They just don’t know what they want to accomplish sonically (or maybe I’m just not getting the point)… full of sound and fury signifying nothing perhaps. However, if you suffer from short attention span, then perhaps Zebrahead are just the ticket. Phoenix is so incongruous that you just might come away with a whole lot of new favorites.–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
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
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 Hot Toddies [Smell the Mitten]
The Hot Toddies – Smell the Mitten (c) 2007 Asian Man Records Welcome to the sultry and saccharin sweet sounds of The Hot Toddies. Like a gang of prom queens that sipped a little too much of the spiked punch, these gals rock with a quirky seduction and loads of mischievous naughtiness. The vocal harmonies are drop dead gorgeous (especially if you miss the vocal sound of the Dance Hall Crashers) and the music kinda of an alterna-fifties indie pop. Smell the Mitten is a great full length debut from this band of Bay area beauties. They've got the chops and the hooks and the satiric wit that has me waiting for more. –Jerry Actually
Andrew Jackson Jihad – People Who Can Eat People …
Andrew Jackson Jihad – People Who Can Eat People Are The Luckiest People In The World (c) 2007 Asian Man Records
I don’t quite know how to spell out how I feel about Andrew Jackson Jihad. I like them in a weird sort of way. Kinda in the same way that everyone has a really bizarre friend (unless you are the bizarre friend) and you like the friend, but sometimes you just aren’t sure why.
AJJ is a bit of an amalgamated Dead Milkmen Wally Pleasant and Old 97’s. The songs are certainly very eclectic with off the beaten path lyrics and an overall Bluegrass quality. I am compelled to recommend them highly, but I’m just not quite sure why.
–Jerry Actually
TPOMC
The Pleasures Of Merely Circulating – S/T (c) 2007 Ettabelle Records Marfa, TX band The Pleasures of Merely Circulating are equal parts precocious and punk. Their self-titled debut CD hold 13 tracks of love, loss, pining and rollicking all tinged by their southern rock roots. The songs are peppy and short and chock full of energy and guts. The music rings out in that raw yet urgent way that only a finely tuned three-piece can muster. Fun new material from Texas. Go on, giver a whirl.–Jerry Actually
Sierra Leone’s Refugee All Stars
Sierra Leone's Refuge All Stars – Livin Like A Refugee (c) 2007 Anti Records Sierra Leone's Refugee All Stars make Reggae flavored World/Affrobeat music. They are decent at what they do. However, If you heard them in the background, you might not even pay that much attention. They don't break any sonic barriers. They aren't going to astound you with their radical new approach to music. Why, you ask, should I even bother then? I'll tell ya there fella. The story is what makes them amazing. 11 musicians from in or around Freetown Sierra Leone, Africa, all living in a refugee camp in Guinea forge together and triumph over adversity. Imagine being torn from your home and sent to a foreign land to live in makeshift camps, not knowing your fate from one day to the next and still having the time and wherewithal to come together as a group. That is freaking awesome. The rising above the pain and struggle through music. It is the core and essence of humanity. Plus, despite what I said at the top, this is a good disc. It is musically apt and enjoyable to listen to, even if it isn't incredibly innovative. So do the world a favor and say hello to your neighbors from Sierra Leone.–Jerry Actually