July 2007 Reviews

Guilty Pleasures (BYO Records)

by The Wednesday Night Heroes

Reviewed by: Jick
The Wednesday Night Heroes are back, and they’ve brought 12 tracks of pure Canadian street punk mayhem with them! Harder and faster than on their last releases, “Guilty Pleasures” is one of the best punk albums released in the past year. The opening track, “Open Fire” is an all out assault of a track, and the Heroes never lose their steam from there. Other standout tracks include “Move to Press” and “ Uncivilized Bastard”, but honestly, every song is a sing-along charged up pogo fest. I’ve listened to it at least 5 times a week since I purchased it, and “Guilty Pleasures” simply does not get old. If you buy one new CD this season, make it this one!

Hello from the Underground (SOS)

by Funeral Dress

Reviewed by: Mook
This CD does have a few catchy songs on like “Hello from the Underground”, and “Holiday” which actually has almost a folkish sound to it. Everything else is sort of generic. Its great to listen to at first but after awhile its hard to tell the songs apart. If you really like the bands old stuff check out the couple good songs, if you really like those get the CD.

Out for Blood (BYO Records)

by The Infected

Reviewed by: Jick
Chicago heroes The Infected finally have their debut full length out, and it fucking rocks. Is it punk? Is it metal? Who the fuck cares!? Whether it be the ultra-fast and technical guitars, wild drumming, or Luke’s earth-shattering vocals, fans of either genre will find tons to love about this album. Produced by Dan Precision of 88 Fingers Louie and Rise against, “Out For Blood” will have you up and pogoing, headbanging, or slam dancing in minutes. The only negative thing I could say about “Out For Blood” is that it’s short, running for only 7 tracks and 20 minutes. The plus side? No filler tracks; there isn’t a single bad track on this album!

Couger Den (DIY 2006, Self-Released)

by Couger Den

Reviewed by: Mick
Most hardcore bands recon they can get by with pretending they’re a death metal outfit and leave the clichés of the genre do the rest. Melodic Hardcore group from Milwaukee WI, sees different potential in the genre and breaks the mold with their smashing self titled EP.

This break from the typical begins with the band’s nack for simply engrossing song compositions. Each song winds in and out of a confusing and brutal haze of noise, chucky guitar riffs, and pragmatic punchy base riffs, creating a great balance of sound that compliments vocalist Bobby Reitman’s wild, frustrated bark, as he belts out lyrics written by guitarist Justin Schmidt, with perfect angst ridden timing. Additionally, something you only wish were more common in the genre is accomplished here in that you can actually make out the words Reitman belts out as he rocks out behind the mic. Audible lyrics are a key component of Cougar Dens musical strategy and helps give the band a great deal more credibility.

The inspired song composition works wonderfully with Reitman’s vocals to give the album a brooding, angsty, forlorn feeling of absolute desperation and deprecation. This combined with meaningful song lyrics that inspire as much thought as awe, the album cements it’s self as a sure bet for all listeners, even those not normally keen to hardcore as a genre. Myself included.

Rating: 4 out of 5
Recommended: Yes
Where can I get a copy? At a show or order one from the band directly.

Build a Nation (Megaforce)

by Bad Brains

Reviewed by: Mook
This is the Bad Brains with all the original members, but if your expecting them to be rocking it as hardcore as they did 20+ years ago, don’t be stupid. Bad Brains went through a lot of changes before they ‘broke up’. This CD is a mix of their Rastafarian beliefs with a punk meets reggae sound. Its not really my cup of tea, but if you want to check out some of the stand out songs on the CD there is the reggae song “Natty Dreadlocks ‘Pon the Mountain Top”, and the punk sound of “Let There be Angels (Just like You)”. All the songs have reggae based lyrics, and most of the tracks there is some sort of filter on the voice that makes it echo, but other than that the music itself is decent. If you love reggae and punk this CD just might be for you, check it out.