The Single Life - 7 inches of Fun

Hosoi Bros - Snorlokk

The Hosoi Bros blew me away earlier this year with their tasty slab of 7"vinyl, "Wine Witch" (reviewed here).  So much so, that I immediately asked the crazy lads to contribute to our free compilation album, The Ripple Effect Presents: Volume One - Head Music.  (go check it out, it's still free.)  I was immediately caught up in their trashy brand of post-NWOBHM madness and chunky humor.  Still, the question remained, could they do it again?   As "Snorlokk" the side A of this limited-to-300 hand-numbered 7" spins on my turntable, the answer is "hell freaking yes!"

Still as irrelevant and madcap as ever, Hosoi Bros bring it on thrashy and punky, still with that backbone of NWOBHM riffing.  I don't know what "Snorlokk"is about. Probably another addition to the band's growing pantheon of mythical characters like the Wine Witch.  But I don't care.  All I know is that it's a blitzkrieg assault to my frontal lobe of good, smashing fun.  B-side "Amberlamps" builds upon the impressive riffing with an even heavier, infused-with-hardcore, attack of metal that just refuses to take itself too seriously.  In the end, what the Hosoi Bros are about is great metallic riffing and good fun.  Isn't that what you want?

Another great addition to the bands growing discography.  Available at their bandcamp.  Get one before it's too late.

http://hosoibros.bandcamp.com/album/snorlokk

Revilers - Stand or Fall

Revilers may just be my favorite band on the crushing Patac Label of punk, hardcore and ugly metal.  I like my punk dirty and Oi! With big crushing riffs and gang choruses and brass knuckles and stomping boots.  That's what Revilers brings to the table.  Coming from Boston, home of some of the best American Oi!, like the Streetdogs, it's no surprise that Side One of this sounds like a bastard offspring of UK Subs or any other Godfather of classic Oi!  Darkened, minor key punk with a dabble of melody and gargled vocals gruffs.  It chugs along as if the entire bar were readying for a fist fight with two tracks, "Stand or Fall" and "Tried and True."  Both are just classic slabs of Oi!. 

Side Two picks up the snot and anger as the band finds a more hardcore romp through "Running Out,""State of Fear," and "Road Rage." 

Five tracks of spittle punk for only $4 from Patac.  Well worth the time for Oi! fans like me. 

http://www.patacrecords.com/distro/7-ep/revilers-stand-or-fall-7-black

Spiders - Weekend Nights

Crusher Records first crossed my radar with the amazing second album by Dead Man.  An album that just keeps getting better and better with time.  Since then, I've gone on to explore their entire roster of retro-week-fried bands and have never been disappointed.  Spiders is the latest Crusher release to cross my path and damn if it wasn't one worth waiting for.  Featuring riffs directly trasported from the fuzzy end of 70's metal/beginning of NWOBHM, Spiders crawl out of this 7" with a purpose, full of venom and ready to bite.   Coming from their forth-coming album, Flash Point, "Weekend Nights" the band weighs in full force with a pummeling assault of shredding guitars, spanking grooves and dangerous riffs.  Singer Ann-Sofie Hoyles comes on like a pissed off Ann Wilson as the band simply takes flight behind her.  A classic 70's rock fest if there ever was one. 

Side B features a cover of Swedish garage heroes The Strollers song, "Lies" and is exclusive to this bite-sized vinyl pizza.  Fuzzed out and rollicking, "Lies" digs a bit more into the lost days of 60's fuzz with killer results.  Another great one from Crusher.

www.crusherrecords.com




Restorations - A/B EP

Tiny Engines has never failed to impress as an indy label of post-emo punk since they came onto the scene.  I may be wrong, but I believe the really cool Tiger's Jaw 7" may have been their first release (at least it's the first I saw).  Since then, they've turned out one beautifully packaged, artfully created 7" after another, with a couple of full lengths to boot.  On their ever-growing roster of punk, without a doubt, my favorite band is Restorations.  The Tiny Engines guys are good enough to drop most of their releases into Postman Sal's bag for Ripple review (and many --not all -- have been reviewed) but none get me as excited as that new Restorations release dropping onto my desk.

The A/B EP does nothing to change that.  Two tracks of epic, midwestern-gothic punk.  Watching (er . . .listening) to these guys develop over the years has been a joy, and A/B is by far their most mature songwriting yet.  Jon Loudon's earnest, anthemic howl seems to be the natural successor to the great lost Call front man, Michael Been.  And while there's not a lot of musical similarity here, The Call is a great reference point, because way back 30 years ago, they made albums of conviction and protest and rousing honesty.  Restorations has picked up that mantle, added some ingenious, interweavng guitar lines, a solid rhythm section, and Loudon's smoky vocals to create a massive, massive sound.  Not so much punk in structure as in attitude, the key word for Restorations music is; power.

I can't classify the band and I can't qualify their music.  It resonates somewhere deep with in me.  It's hypnotic when it chooses, anthemic when it wants, and rebellious all the time.  It's like the Replacements but 20 years later after they expanded their sound and set out to create something lasting.

It's Restorations, and I'm ready for more.

State Lines - S/T EP

Coming from New York, State Lines are one of the up and coming, young punk bands trying to lay crown to the open throne and stake out their claim on the post-hardcore, post-emo landscape.  This self-titled Ep is the followup up to their album Hoffman Manor, and finds the lads picking up the pace of their screachy pop-punk and pushing hard against the boundaries between emo and indie rock.

Scratchy, youthful vocals wail over a generally tight rhythm section and a wall of guitar as the twin vocals bleed into four songs full of pensive harmonies and meticulous craft. “Plenty Of Time” is my favorite here, ridng more of an indie-rock approach until the  abrupt tempo change kicks in near the end driving the song into a more traditional punk vein  There's bits of The Replacements here (isn't there always, as well as Green Day in the melodic approach to the songs) but also a lot of Alkaline Trio and Braid or Saves the Day.

Another Tiny Engines release we know we can expect quality.  The vinyl is blue, the packaging nice with lyrics, and the EP is certain to please fans of melodic punk, post hardcore/emo and indie rock.

--Racer

Revenge of the Quick Ripple Bursts - Vinyl Punk Edition; Featuring Fonzarelli, Luther, Restorations, Tin Armor, and Sharks Come Cruising

Fonzarelli – Last Chance Summer Dance

Tsurumi Records keeps on expanding and keeps on releasing one quality punk release after the next.  Spinning on the turntable today, in beautiful royal blue wax, is their latest Jack Endino produced platter, Fonzarelli, and their debut Last Chance Summer Dance.  And let me say, this definitely won’t be Fonzarelli’s last chance.  Packing in more hooks than you could find at a bass fishing tournament, and marrying those hooks to Endino’s punchy production, Last Chance Summer Dance is a glorious celebration of pop punk in all it’s snotty glory.  “Halfway Dead” is simply a gem of the genre while “Defenseless” is a boppy punk party.  But before you think you can pigeonhole these guys as post-Green Day popsters, they unleash a manic frenzy of “Japanese Rock” on you and you quickly realize that their punk muse ain’t afraid to experiment and play. 

Vocals are a touch on the whiny side for me, but that’s my only minor complaint, and in truth, when they marry their touch of snot to a song with the skill and chops like “Baby Me Too,” I realize that things really are just perfect.  Pop punk perfect.  Like all Tsurumi releases, a full CD of the album is included inside, and the package is first-class all the way.  Can’t wait to see what they comes out with next.

 Tsurumi Fonzarelli page

Luther – Siblings & Sevens

Black Numbers is another upstart punk label, --like Tsurumi—that has captured my attention with quality alt-punk releases like the sensational PJ Bond release last year.  Luther is their latest find, a quartet from Philadelphia, and let’s cut to chase; Black Numbers keeps their winning streak alive.   Back in my old radio days, The Replacements burst from out of nowhere, ramrodding the intensity of punk rock with the sincerity of mid-American roots music, and now Luther picks up the mantle and runs with it.  Starting with a delicate passage of acoustic guitar and vocals, Luther explode into the intensity of their post-hardcore pop fury with chopping guitars and pulverizing rhythm work.  And from there there’s no stopping them.

Replacements earnestness is here in spades, forming the core for a musculature of emo-hardcore and skin of pop hooks.  Never does this sound forced, but purely natural.  Aggression is there but tempered by true songcraft.   Nicely done.

Each song on this 7-song EP satisfies in its own way, without ever sounding repetitive or redundant, but I’ll give a special nod to “There’s Always Money . . . “ with its chugging bass and buzzsaw guitar blitz.  I particularly dig the little hiccups of harmony vocals.  All this and sparkling marbled yellow vinyl to boot.  Worth checking out.

 http://blacknumbers.limitedpressing.com/products/11777

Restorations – S/T

Seems like I’m giving as much love to labels today as I am the bands, and that’s good. Without quality labels, much of this music would never see the light of day.  One thing I love is when a label has shown such a keen eye for talent that I can pick up almost any release and know what to expect.  That’s not to say they all sound the same, but genre’s seem to be understood and quality is expected.  That’s what I get from Tsurumi, Black Numbers, and another punk upstart label, Tiny Engines. 

Last year, I had the pleasure of being introduced to Restorations by way of their debut EP and was immediately drawn to their sound which occupied a niche firmly planted between the aggression of hard core, the earnestness of mid-western roots rock, and the jangly, shoegazing, intelligentsia of indy rock, Restorations sounded unlike any other band I’d heard in quite some time.  With a rough-hewn, leather-bent to the vocals, delicate acoustic guitars, and an impending sense of danger, as if any song could explode at any second.  Now on their debut full-length, Restorations have built upon that base and added a quantum leap in maturity and songwriting to create a rootsy-cum punk- cum shoegazing masterpiece.  Each song plays out like a mini roots punk-gothic epic, unfolding at its own leisurely pace, led in by a gentle strum or languishing pick.  But the danger is always there, hiding, waiting.   Whether or not each song explodes or not isn’t as important as the drama they create, the dark clouds that gather over the wind-swept fields of grain.  The demon about to possess the scarecrow.  Moving, effective stuff.

http://restorations.bandcamp.com/

Tin Armor – Life of Abundance

Toning down the punk side of mid-western aggro pop, Tin Armor instead turn up the alt-country vibe to unleash a panorama of earnest-alt country power pop.  Talk about a step in maturity!  Compared to their last release this is a band that has grown by leaps and bounds, fortunately never leaving their passion behind.Beginning with the piano-led title ballad, Tin Armor waste no time digging into their country roots with the plain-rockin’ “Plain Limbs” and the piano rocker “Inside Days.”  In fact, it’s their liberal use of piano to lead the tracks that makes them stand out from other mid-western post-punk country rockers out there.    None of that is to say that the guitars are missing and don’t contribute to the whole, as they do, like the whole guitar outro to “Inside Days,” but it was the play off the early piano verses that really make that guitar burst stand out.   Dig that jazzy bass-led intro to “Just So I Know It.”  Imagine a fusion of Wilco and Death Cab for Cutie, and you won’t be wrong.  By far my favorite cut on the album.  If that interests you, jump on board.

Seems like there’s an abundance of sincere-roots rockers out there these days, keeping punk ethos alive in new and different ways.  Add Tin Armor to that list, but add them to the top.

Album available for "name your price" at http://tinarmor.bandcamp.com/

Sharks Come Cruising – A Past We Forget That We Need to Know

Now, let’s talk about roots!  Recently, Pope and I have been enamored by the Dropkick Murphys side projects like Everybody Out! and Rick Barton and the Shadowblasters, where traditional folk roots get married to the passion of punk with explosive results.  Listening to those albums over and over could never have prepared me for the furious folk-punk eruption of Sharks Come Cruising.

Coming from Newport RI, an old fishing, sailing, and pirating port, SCC take folk punk one step beyond.  Imagine a pirate ship (or merchant ship for that matter) full of sweaty, unbathed, homesick sailors making port, rampaging into the closest local pub, swilling back pints of ale by the barrelfull and erupting into furious song, and you’ll get an idea of SCC’s roots.  This is drinking, run-soaked, lost sailor ditties, revved up and ready to be consumed by a new generation.  Vocals are salt-soaked, whiskey brogued spittles of original ale-swinging classics and old-time, traditional shanties.  Water-soaked floor boards creak and squeak under foot as the sailors proceed to pluck on acoustics, violins, percussion and the occasional squeezebox, singing in gang-unison to their hearts lament. 

And it’s fantastic!  I can only imagine being in a Newport bar while these cats lay the homesick blues down.  You can’t not get drunk to this music.  Even if you’re not drinking, the fumes of ale coming off the lyrics will wrap you up in an intoxicating blend of trad New England sailors folk and immediate punk energy.   I saw that these cats play a few shows with Restorations.  Yep, that’d be a winner.

As for the songs here, no need to point out highlights.  It’s all good.  Just open a bottle of your favorite whatever, grab your best mates, and imagine that glorious return to soil after months out to sea.  Spill your beer, kiss your best girl or the one you’re with, dream of home, and prepare for the months out at sea still to come.

It really is that good. 

--Racer

http://www.sharkscomecruisin.com/fr_welcomeaboard.cfm

An Electrifying Edifice of Ebullient EP's Featuring Restorations, Andrew Gharib, Pacer, and The Silver Liners

Restorations – Strange Behavior

As far as EP’s go, I gotta say, this package from Philadelphia indy, roots punkers, is about as gorgeous as they come.  Marbled blue vinyl, with a full color insert with lyrics and stuff.  12” 45 rpm, 4-tracks.  I mean, these cats didn’t spare any expense on this one.  So the question is; does the music make that beautiful package worthwhile?

And the answer is an alley-clamoring “yes.”  Occupying a niche firmly planted between the aggression of hard core, the earnestness of mid-western roots rock, and the jangly, shoegazng, intelligentsia of indy rock, Restorations sound unlike any other band I’d heard in quite some time.  With a rough-hewn, leather-bent to the vocals, delicate acoustic guitars, and an impending sense of danger, as if any song could explode at any second, these guys come across like The Replacements mixed with an acoustic Black Flag.   I’ve read that bands like The Constantines and Red Collar explore similar territory, but I don’t know them.  I know Restorations, and I know what I like.  And this is it. 

Each song plays out like a mini countrypunk-gothic epic, unfolding at its own leisurely pace, led in by a gentle strum or languishing pick.  But the danger is always there, hiding, waiting.   Whether or not each song explodes or not isn’t as important as the drama they create, the dark clouds that gather over the wind-swept fields of grain.  The demon about to possess the scarecrow.  Moving, effective stuff.

Andrew Gharib – Animal Confession

I’d been listening to a lot of Teardrop Explodes  Kilimanjaro recently (clearly one of my all-time favorite “desert island discs”) so that probably put me into the perfect mind frame to absorb this sonic delight by Andrew Gharib.  Not that Andrew apes Julian Cope in any way, but the music of Animal Confession carries with it a similar post-punk, darkly psychedelic bent on the world.  To that Andrew adds some serious guitar crunch a la industrial rock, and a serious helping of pop smarts.  Not to mention an immediately gripping voice.  Yep, I was hooked.

“A Thousand Lies,” is the first cut I heard from Andrew and seems to be the one I go back to the most often.  Recently, I’d spouted off on the glory of Jet Black Berries new album Postmodern Ghosts and the lead-off single, “God with a Gun.”  Here’s the flip side of a perfect compilation mix.  With its charging guitar opening breaking away to a chiming, hypnotic guitar verse, “A Thousand Lies,” is near-perfection in 3:55.   Big melody, a throw-your-hands-up-in-the-air and sing along chorus.  A mighty crunch and a dark sinister atmosphere.  Beautifully done.  I can listen to this song on repeat and never get tired of it.  Always some new nook or cranny to explore.

“Drown in You,” ups the distortion and heaviness, while also releasing itself to some exquisite slower passages.  I think the word here is dynamic, and “Drown in You,” has that in spades.   Echoes of NIN drift amongst the floating menacing psychedelia.   “Light my Way,” meanwhile kicks off with an echo reverb guitar reminiscent of U2 and loses itself from there into a maelstrom of sacrificing emotion.   It’s not everyday I find a songsmith who can capture me so quickly.

With Animal Confession we’ve found a new talent of the dark and mysterious.  A new Trent Rezner?  Time will tell, but Animal Confession proves that Andrew Gharib is certainly one to watch.

Pacer – No 1

I gotta tell you.  I’m a little tired of a lot of what passes for punk these days.  Whiny vocals, layered guitars, wimpy lyrics.  That ain’t the punk rock I know. 

Which is why a band like Pacer is so refreshing.  No strings.  No horns.  No mention of the word love or hurt feelings.  Pacer bring it on fast, pure, energized, and brimming with spit and polish.  This is good, old-fashioned punk.  Guitars with three chords, played amazingly fast with aggression and intent;  A bass that runs like a maniac being chased by the police, and a drum set taking a beating like it owed money to the mob. 

Add a good oi sensibility, some suitably gruff and impassioned vocals and I’m all in.  “Circles Around a Square,” is an in-your-face opener that could instantly make you regret standing too close to the clubs sounds system.   “Pasternak,” is pure oi punk, charging and racing like a gang of hoodlums off to wreck havoc at a football game.  

On top of all this pure punk adrenaline, the lads temper the affair with some mighty chops and true songwriting craft, keeping a melodic/pop leaning to the affair.   But don’t clump them in with Green Day.  Pacer never forget the punk in pop-punk.  Great pogoing stuff.

The Silver Liners – S/T EP

It wasn’t that long ago that I was praising The Silver Liners last Ep, Just Like the Rest, a catchy batch of melodic punk indy pop.  Now the boys come charging back with another blast of refreshing and down-right captivating agit-pop.  And if anything, the time between releases has allowed the lads to bring their songwriting up a whole ‘nother notch. 

Bringing back two songs (“Just like the Rest,” and “Without a Face”) from the last EP, the Silver Liners drop in 4 new songs and package the whole thing together in a way that just seems to scream, “Here we are!”  Leaving the EP self-titled echoes that sentiment.  For the Silver Liners this is their statement of who they are.

And who is that you ask?  A damn fine guitar-driven pop band who churn out melodies as effortlessly as I stumble over cracks in the sidewalk.  “ Running Through My Head,” with its acoustic intro, infectious groove, and irresistible verse leading to a sweet-as-sugar chorus, is just one example of the way these cats can craft with the best of em.  

“Hot Mess,” keeps the heartbeat ticking with an aggressive verse diving into another heavenly-sent chorus, never losing the chops or the muscle.   Touches of pure power pop infect “American Girl,”  while “Better Than Your Boyfriend,” only needs a quirky video to shoot this one to the top of the YouTube charts.   With it’s irresistible chorus, you’ll be singing this one for months to come.   Should be a radio mainstay.  The Silver Liners are clearly a band on the rise.


--Racer