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This Won't Hurt (Universal)

by The Methadones

Reviewed by: Mick
No matter how much the genre changes, how ever many bands sell out, or how dead punk rock seems, the Methadones always seem to be in the background keeping things in perspective. The powerpop/ pop-punk quartet hails from the frigid northern tundra of Minnesota, bringing with them the attitude, that it’s not how fast you play or how tough you look on stage, but how much you love the music you’re playing that matters. And they do love it! When it comes to genuine powerpop, there are few who do it better.

"This Won’t Hurt", is the Methadones 3rd legitimate full length album, after 2006’s 21 Century Pop Riot, (a cover album of some of the band’s favorite powperpop artists, recorded while the group’s singer/ song writer, Dan Vapid, was on hiatus from writing, but still evidently wanted to perform and record with the band) picking up where 2004’s Not Economically Viable left off, it’s another great addition the band’s growing catalog. If you’re already acquainted with the groups work, or have ever heard anything by Cheep Trick other then “I Want You to Want Me”, you’ll be in the right frame of mind for this album. The mid-tempo 3-4 chord switches are immediately accessible to most listeners and Vapid’s charmingly untrained voice is a perfect convenience for the lightly introspective and youthful subject matter of the lyrics. Songs on this album range the full gambit; from syrupy sweet love songs with longing backup vocals (“Almost Gone”), Pogo-worthy adolescent rock explosions (“Turning Up the Noise”), snotty socially commentary (“Poor Little Rich Girls”, “Getting Older/Losing Touch”), tense angst ridden outbursts (“Where Did You Hide The Sun”, “Break Out of My Head”), even a lightly soulful acoustic number, appropriately named “I Believe”. Each every song was written for anybody who’s ever been mad at their parents, nervous before a date, or felt like they’d rather be committed then spend one more day in the suburbs. This Won’t Hurt has a lot to offer, and is probably the groups strongest release to date.

While some may complain the group sticks too closely to the genre’s format or that they don’t take enough chances. The Methadones have remained one of the most consistent and pleasing punk band of the last decade. Proving you don’t always have to be edgy to be great. Lots of times it’s just about doing what you love, and doing it well.

 

The Black and White Album (Universal)

by The Hives

Reviewed by: Mick
The Hives were one of 4 “The” bands that defined alternative rock in the early 2000’s. Along with The Strokes, The Vines, and The White Stripes, they transitioned rock music out of the absolutely horrible death grip Rap-Metal and Neo-Metal had on it in the late 90’s. The brought back into our collective consciousness the idea that music can be angsty while simultaneously being interesting or energizing. (As opposed to the Limp Bizkit model of being simply angry and self important.) The Hives had always been the fastest of the 4, and had up to October of last year been the only one, other then The White Stripes, to not have released a disappointing album. The Black and White Album is the first Hives album not to deliver like it should, and breaks the winning streak they had been on.

The working title of this album was "The World's First Perfect Album", and for the first 5 tracks it certainty lives up to that title. The opening track “Tick Tick Boom” is a violent, pounding, speed-punk number that exhibits the best Garage Rock has to offer, with a relentless and catchy course and perfectly complimentary backing vocals, you couldn’t ask for a better or a harder hitting opener. The next 4 tracks pick up the baton from the opener, and run with it. “Try It Again” is a another “break it down, to build it back up” stomp/dance number the group became famous for on Tyrannosaurus Hives, and “You Got It All…Wrong” is a lightning fast throw down that sounds like a epic Kinks cover. As good as these tracks are though (and they are good) you can’t help but feel like they’re leading you along to the next big single. The follow up to “Tick Tick Boom”, that never comes. Instead the album looses speed on the I Monster inspired “Stroll Through Hive Manor”. A slow and discomforting electronic waltz that, on its own, is beautiful and well crafted, but here feels entirely out of place. The next track picks things up again, and temporarily saves face before completely derailing on the disco flavored “T.H.E.H.I.V.E.S.” At this point the album just feels disjointed and messy, completely out of character for The Hives.

While every track on The Black and White album is a stand out, and could easily be a single in it’s self, together they make a mess. The group stumbles through this album, delivering choice Garage Punk hits which are consistently subverted by awkward moments of experimentalism. These experiments, while ambitious and thoughtful, detract from the overall cohesion of the album and make for a very uneven listening experience. As a result the album feels less like an epic rock album, and more like a mix tape your goofy friend made for you. Some bands can explore and experiment with their sound and get away with it. The Hives are not one of these groups, and do best when they stick to what they know.

Score: 3 ½ out of 5

 

Hindsight is 20/20 (Twenty First Century)

by The Krayons

Reviewed by: Chemosabe
Do you want to have one up on all your friends? Are you sick of all the thirty-somethings in your town droning on and on about the glory days of hardcore? Or, are you one of those thirty-somethings who wants to add something new to his or her music collection? If so, then you should check out the Krayons, a great hardcore punk outfit from Corpus Christi, Texas. You may not have realized it, but the Krayons have been around since 1987, and although the band officially broke up in 1995, they are still keeping the name alive. They continue to put on the occasional show, and in November of last year, released “Hindsight is 20/20,” a collection of singles covering their entire discography.

So what about the music? For the most part, the tunes here are great, and if you’re a fan of hardcore punk, ranging from the more melodic to the straight-out throwdown, you will enjoy what you find here. My personal favorite is “Alone in a Crowded Room,” a great song that shows off the Krayons ability to throw their fists around while still writing a memorable hook. The vocals are distinct without becoming annoying or incomprehensible, passionate without becoming whiney. Other tracks worth checking out include “Sam Rankin,” “Anyone Who Isn’t Me,” and “Utopia.” The one complaint I could level against the band is that on occasion the tracks do run a bit long. Although “Wise Up Korea”, “No Commitments, Please” , “An Open Letter”, and “No More Bonds” all run about two minutes or less, more than a couple crack the four-minute mark, and with a CD covering twelve years and 24 tracks, you may run out of stamina, even if the Krayons don’t.

Bottom Line: For $8.25 plus shipping on Interpunk, you really should check this CD out. Last I heard there’s less than 300 copies available, so pick up some change, put it in your CD player, and start hitting your friends in the mouth.

Author’s Note: The last sentence is partly based on a recent event at Frontline Radio HQ that resulted in Jick elbowing Chemosabe across the mouth.

When Pigs Fly (DIY, Self-Released)

by Figment

Reviewed by: Chemosabe
In all honesty, I really don’t know what to make of Figment. On one hand, they’re really funny guys, I mean how can you hate a band who advertises their CD as “Oink Punk is Back…”? On the other hand, they seem to take themselves too seriously at times and risk falling into that void of “generic political punk” that so many bands have fallen into before. Their CD, a compilation of songs from their “When Pigs Fly” tour, does have its share of enjoyable tracks. “Office Gallagher” is a humorous anti-police song with some great “oink” backing vocals, and makes its point in a light-hearted manner. I love the chorus and delivery of “Bus Fare” as they are able to mix issues of poverty and finding a job with longing to see someone…again another interesting way of attacking a political point. In the same vain, “Walk on Water” is more of a love song, yet set amongst of collection of political tunes, does have a sort of subtle political message itself.

However, problems start to emerge when the band switches into full-on political soapbox mode. I am not against political punk, but generic political punk is a pet peeve of mine. Songs like “Fuck Bush,” “Made in China,” and “Global Warming” are exactly what you would think they are, and make the same political points you think they would make. “Hillary” is essentially a campaign commercial for Hilary Clinton’s presidential run bordering on messianic worship (Full Disclosure: I voted for Barack Obama in the Wisconsin primary). There is just nothing unique in some of these songs. I agree with a lot of the points the band tries to make, I just think they could be a bit more creative in making them. However, there are some fun tracks on this CD. Like I said before, when the band approaches a political issue from a less direct, more “oink punk” angle, they put on a pretty enjoyable show.