http://www.punkbands.com Music news, reviews, interviews and more en-us The first notes from "Tuna", the opening song of this EP, immediately reminded me of Digger, or the early Blink 182 and Weston songs. You know, the fragile voice, the simplistic songwriting, the wink towards indie rock. In fact, I'd like to see this band grow out of its punk rock roots and evolve towards a sappy indie rock band, because I think that the voice really lends itself to that sort of music. - 4 out of 5 http://www.punkbands.com/reviews/92 Nov 30, 1999 If any of you think the title of this album has anything to do with Murphy's future you are wrong. These guys are stronger than ever, and their latest release on Artemis is proof of that. I can remember hearing "Jimmy G from NYC" on one of the Bosstone's first releases "Devil's Night Out", now Jimmy is wripping it up in "The Party's Over". It may be 2001 but due to the dedication and hard work of Murphy's Law they have found a way to keep the 80's hardcore/punk scene alive. I can remember owning some of the earlier Murphy's releases and thinking "What the hell is this?" Poor song writing skills and lack of organization, but the new disc changed my attitude towards the band. Produced by Daniel Rey (Misfits, Ramones, White Zombie), it features 15 tracks of the grittiest punk one can stand with dabs of pop trickled in. You can expect everything from Clash style reggae/punk in "Walking Alone" to the tight riffs of "Vicky Crown". It's obvious that the party has just begun for the old school New York hardcore heroes and if you want to join the party go out and buy "The Party's Over" now. Hurry up! - 4 out of 5 http://www.punkbands.com/reviews/87 Nov 30, 1999 Yummmmm! Quality old school punk rock one again soothing the ear drums of us New Jerseyan punk rockers. With credit going to "K8 Is Great", and the rest of The Bouncing Souls (their label) Chunksaah is finally getting its feet off the ground. If you've been searching out punk rock minus the pop search no longer. With a foundation of melodically driven tunes, The Arsons find their roots in "Whole Life Crisis" and aren't scared to play what's not popular right now. With members of Warzone, GREYAREA, and Token Entry making up the line-up this bands talent go way back to the beginning. One thing that stuck out in "Whole Life Crisis" is how the band stayed away from girls and relationships, and lyrically focus on issues that effect our daily lives. The raw but catchy delivery The Arsons put forth on this album, is one that will be recognized and one that will stick in your head for a while. Keep your ears perked and eyes open for these guys, as they will be hitting the road with the Bouncing Souls for a few shows in the next month. - 4 out of 5 http://www.punkbands.com/reviews/48 Nov 30, 1999 "Sorry About Tomorow" is Hot Rod Circuit's newest full-length and respectable debut on Vagrant Records. In their newest release there is a little bit of everything. To classify this album is impossible, but if you are looking for a band that combines the technicalities of music with soothing melodies look no further. While the album can be considered catchy, the intertwining of punk, rock, indie, pop, and hardcore make it a winner. After seeing Hot Rod Circuit a few different times over the past year, I decided that their music just wasn't doing it for me. "Sorry About Tomorrow" has done it for me, and it is sure to suprise even die hard "Hot Rod" fans. The album is released March 12th and you can catch Hot Rod Circuit on the road with Further Seems Forever. Do it! - 4 out of 5 http://www.punkbands.com/reviews/47 Nov 30, 1999 One of those five reasons to explode is because this album kicks ass like a mosh pit at a Blood for Blood show. The influences of producer Ed Rose (The Get Up Kids, The Anniversary) can be heard loud and clear, but Schatzi continues to create a distinctive sound putting them in a league of their own. Adrianne Verhoeven of The Anniversary makes a guest appearance on the already incredible song "Death Of The Alphabet". With new wave power pop coating this thirteen track album, Schatzi fans can also expect to hear some upbeat guitar melodies, and songs that explore the bands heavier side like "Trapped In A Sunray". Be a "schatzi" and get the album on March 19th when it hits the pavement. Not sure what a "schatzi" is? Go look in your German dictionary. - 5 out of 5 http://www.punkbands.com/reviews/45 Nov 30, 1999 Fresh from his departure from Alkaline Trio is Mike Felumlee, who does it all (most of it) in his new full length "64 Hours". This full-length displays Felumlee's talent not only as a respected drummer, but also quite a songwriter and guitarist (not to mention some pretty amazing vocals). Even though Mike has left his past successes for new ones, you can find Josh and Eli Carterer (Smoking Popes) and Dan Andriano (Alkaline Trio) making appearances on the album. If the Mike Felumlee you know is the one you were used to seeing behind the Alkaline Trio drum set, check out the Mike Felumlee who released this ten track kick ass album. His soothing and warm vocals are just one of a variety of aspects that make this disc a keeper. - 4 out of 5 http://www.punkbands.com/reviews/44 Nov 30, 1999 Indie-rockers The Promise Ring have left Jade Tree and brought out their first album on their new label, Anti Records, a division of Epitaph Records. The new record starts with "Size Of Your Life", which reminds me of the garage sound of Sonic Youth (i.e. the distortion on the vocals). I'm not really into that style though. However, the second song, "Stop Playing Guitar" really turns the situation around. The dry yet charming humor in the lyrics, the easy mood: lovely. "Become One Anything" is also one of Wood/Water's highlights, truly a beautiful vocal performance. "Easy listening" seems to be the key idea throughout the album (e.g. "My Life Is At Home", "Bread & Coffee") but the Promise Ring throws in some swing every now and then (e.g. "Get On The Floor"). "Say Goodbye Good" ends with a performance from a gospel singer. I admit that sounds a little weird at first but I can't say that I don't like it. To cut a long story short: Wood/Water is a lovely record, the kind that doesn't wear out quickly, so look out for it. - 4 out of 5 http://www.punkbands.com/reviews/43 Nov 30, 1999 I won't use the word disappointed but "Home From Home" does not sound like I expected or wanted the new Millencolin album to sound. As you might or might not know, there's sort of a retro-punk'n'roll craze taking over Sweden now, remember the latest releases from Randy and 59 Times The Pain? Well, it seems like that hype has now also affected Sweden's finest pop punkers Millencolin. The opening song, "Man Or Mouse", which is available for download at the Epitaph homepage, is the perfect example of the new sound. It's anything but what Millencolin used to stand for, so forget about the carelessness and the emphasis on feel-good softcore. The second track, "Fingers Crossed", is a flashback to "Life On A Plate", still one of the best punk rock albums ever recorded. This song, which I believe is a follow up to "A-Ten" from "Pennybridge Pioneers", is magical. It really is a pity that the band decided not to continue writing songs in this style. I catched another glimpse of the softcore side of Millencolin when listening to "Botanic Mistress" and "Battery Check" but the other songs on the new album are not interesting at all. "Black Eye" and "Kemp", songs that have been released earlier on various compilations, were rerecorded for the new album. The production may be better now, but the songs themselves are still pretty weak. I am not a nostalgic type, I like to see bands evolving and trying out different styles, but right now I find myself listening to "Pennybridge Pioneers" and thinking how "Home From Home" could have been so much better. - 4 out of 5 http://www.punkbands.com/reviews/41 Nov 30, 1999 This is one of the few albums I have reviewed that is hard to describe because it's so unique and for good reason. The vocals of Claudio Sanchez make the already driving rhythms and emotional tones, sound even more intense than they were meant to be. This band has the energy put forth by a band such as Thursday, and each song tugs on the heart strings even harder than the one previous to it. Coheed and Cambria prove on "The Second Stage Turbine Blade" that they are one of the true hybrids of progressive rock who top it off with a melodic pop sentiment. This album is truly an in depth story that is explained throughout the ten track disc. It may have been my first time hearing Coheed and Cambria, but will not be my last. Emotional hardcore/melodic rock is "in" right now, and it's nice to see a band who has been working hard from the beginning, put out such a great and hopefully successful release. - 3 out of 5 http://www.punkbands.com/reviews/39 Nov 30, 1999 I don't know how they do it, but once again Drive Thru Records found a band that perfectly meets all my requirements. Well, almost perfectly: some parts on this CD are definitely a little too screamy for this sissy. But the majority of the tracks are very creative and extremely powerful without abandoning melodic elements. "Letters To You", which also appeared on the "Falling Into Place" EP was re-recorded for this album and thanks to Mark Trombino's knob-twisting expertise it sounds magnificent. Let's express it with a metaphore: it sounds like a ferocious dog that's held in leash by a man who knows exactly what he's doing. Get it now? Neither do I. "Stay With Me" clearly reflects Finch's punk rock influences and man I love that song. More highlights on the album include "Without You" and "Ender", an incredible outburst of energy and the perfect ending for this mighty album. Finch successfully crosses boundaries, something that many top-acts fear, and I love it. - 4 out of 5 http://www.punkbands.com/reviews/38 Nov 30, 1999