(c)2008 Mute on 2nd Wave Records
Rating: 
I’m kicking myself for never listening to Mute before. This CD hasn’t left my player since it was sent, but it was time to take it out to write a review. GO GET THIS NOW. Seriously, if you like music, you should like Mute. This an amazing album — skate-punk steeped in metal, sweetened with power chords and harmonies, served up with a twist of punch-the-air songs to quench your music thirst.
I can taste the Lagwagon flavor, but Mute takes it over the edge…like a hotdog compares to gourmet imported Italian sausage. The Raven serves up 12 tasty tracks, amazingly crafted — both lyrically and musically — and beautifully presented. These guys are technically proficient, crisp, punchy, and savory. Some lyrics toe the edge of heartbreak and come back swinging, others have you banging your head or shaking it in empathy. They sing “Can’t be slowing down…” and here’s hoping they don’t.
The Raven is perfect for an afternoon barbeque or a raging party — you may need to re-up on beer, but you can just hit repeat on this CD and be sated.
-HK-47