Artist: The Briefs
Album: Steal Yer Heart
Imagine a younger, more melodic version of The Bronx playing some well-written punk songs in the vein of Kerplunk-era Green Day. Meet The Briefs, as they jam their way through twelve tracks of classic sounding punk rock. One thing that makes this album so great is the bass player, who (according to the single-page insert) goes by the name of Kicks. Anyone with ears can tell that he has listened to a Green Day record or two. There’s some killer guitar playing also; these guys aren’t worried about being the most technical band out there, but won’t hesitate to throw in some fantastic rock n’ roll solos. Overall, this is a really fun record that doesn’t disappoint. For fans of: The Vibrators, The Buzzcocks. -trav
Artist: Lorene Drive
Album: Romantic Wealth
After listening to the first thirty seconds of Romantic Wealth, the debut album from this Victorville four-piece, it is more than obvious that these dudes have an original sound. Hundreds of bands have boasted their so-called ‘heavy but melodic’ sound, but Lorene Drive are the only ones to really make it happen. The first listen might draw comparisons to Underoath or other post-screamo-hardcore-emo-whatever bands, but these guys have a better sense of riffage than any band in their genre. This record really showcases the songwriting capability that Lorene Drive is going to be known for years down the line. Buy this and then look at their silly shirtless pictures at myspace.com/lorenedrive. -trav
Artist: Morningwood
Album: s/t
The only way to truly describe Morningwood is ‘cutie rock’. This is music you should listen to while you’re dressed up and checking yourself out in the mirror (with a friend, of course!). Frontwoman Chantal Claret shows great range as a vocalist, and adds a certain sparkly cuteness to the dancey-pop-rock that the band provides. There are some synthesizers and drum programming throughout the record, but this is surely a rock album…a rock album to dance to! Morningwood blurs the lines of definition here, and it’s so good it hurts. If you’re a fan of Head Automatica or theSTART, this record is for you. -trav
Artist: Action Action
Album: An Army of Shapes Between Wars
Ever hear of a band called The Reunion Show? How about a group called Count The Stars? Action Action is comprised of former members of both groups, and it’s a good thing they got together. This is the second record from the band, and it shows a lot of growth from their pop punk predecessors. One thing that truly stands out on the album is the acoustic guitars and synthesizers; not something you would usually find on a Victory Records release. The songwriting is great and there’s no sign of filler anywhere. This is a solid record that sure ain’t no sophomore slump. For fans of: The Bravery, Bloc Party. -trav
Artist: We Are Scientists
Album: With Love and Squalor
There’s a fever in the pants…it makes white kids with funny haircuts shake wildly. These dudes are responsible for a small bit of it as of late. Fun-loving pop rock that keeps the toes tapping from start to finish yet simple production that keeps the feeling stripped down and very non-bling. Just don’t bring the album cover any closer. I’m deathly allergic to cats. -homie
Artist: The Hellacopters
Album: Rock & Roll Is Dead.
Apparently being huge overseas isn’t all its cracked up to be. These guys have run with everyone from Kiss to the Stones and where’s it got em? Certified celebrities overseas still looking to cut their teeth with that first taste of American success. The record opens with something that may as well be Johnny Be Good and the “Rock & Roll” mentioned as deceased in the records title is plainly alive and well inside this little piece of polymer plastic. If you wondered where all the great rock bands of the 70’s went, they left…then they came back as the Hellacopters. -homie
Artist: Bullet For My Valentine
Album: The Poison
Look kid, save the whole “my parents don’t understand me” thing for someone else. We know what you’re up to and we know you’re gonna love this record (that is, assuming you don’t already). For the older crowd? Maiden riffs galore and an intro that probably could have been on a second Black album from Metallica (oddly enough, done by Apocolyptica). For the youngsters? It’s all the screaming and hopeless romanticism you can quote on your myspace for a lifetime. The Brits are bottling it up and selling it as well as any yank these days and Bullet is proof positive. Savage screams at an unrelenting pace combine with nearly cliché melodic choruses bound to have everyone in a hoody singing along. -homie
Artist: We Are The Fury
Album: Infinite Jest
There was a band that sounded like this in the 80’s but I couldn’t tell you their name. Much like their cohorts, the music finds the fine line between the emo/punk culture and “nice tie and mustache” couture and playfully dances upon it with in your face rock, easily followed rhythms, and even the occasional piano. I’d be lying if I told you lead vocalist Jeremy Lublin didn’t sound just a tad like Gerrard Way of My Chemical Romance. Just five tracks but good to the last drop. -homie
Artist: Hawthorne Heights
Album: If Only You Were Lonely
Well nay-sayers be damned. There’s a valid argument that the latest from Ohio lovers Hawthorne Heights isn’t any sort of a departure from 2004’s Silence in Black and White. Were they trying to revolutionize their sound? Lets hope not. On the counterpoint though, why fix what isn’t broken? The band continues a winning formula sure to keep fans around for another record. One thing’s certain, a band that titles a song “Where Can I Stab Myself In The Ears” must not be concerned about their critics in the least. –homie
Artist: Nine Black Alps
Album: s/t
Someone’s been making a bit of noise in the underground as of late. If not for overseas, Nine Black Alps would’ve come out of virtually nowhere. The US label responsible for the release boasts about new music from AFI, Jimmy Eat World, and Brand New in addition to 9BA coming soon. Color me in the dark on this one but the band is receiving ridiculous amounts of attention and rightfully so. Five energetic songs give a frantic indie-rock vibe that’s sure to keep the party going including the acoustic track at the end.
Artist:Drunkin’ Punkin’ Idiots
Album: Self-Titled
Attention! This music is not for everyone. If you are old, have heart problems or are the kind of person who generally doesn’t like music with more than say… 150 bpm, keep shopping. If on the other hand you enjoy loud (I mean LOUD), ear-splitting punk… this is the band for you. It’s almost like a snuff film set to music. Also if you like cocaine (who doesn’t) “Pack Your Beak” is your new anthem.
Artist: Divided By Zero
Album: “The Black Sea”
Aggressive hard rock is the common thread among the songs but each has its own unique style and is different than the one preceding it. I’m talking diversity. Variety like a U.N. whorehouse. This album is beyond amazing and I recommend you get into this before women, MTV, and the ‘Industry’ rip this band to marketable pieces as they’ve done to so many in the past. At least you can say you liked ‘em back in 2006.
