Album Reviews

Hey there music lovers. If your band or someone's band you know has a record and would like some exposure, contact me for mailing information. I review records for Prawker's Punk Page, Thought is a Crime Webzine, Meep Magazine, Pipe Dream Magazine, Agree To Disagree Magazine and who knows where else! Any and everything sent is guaranteed a review.
NOTE: I WILL NOT SUCK UP OR GIVE FAKE REVIEWS FOR FREE RECORDS. ALL OF THE REVIEWS BELOW ARE MY HONEST OPINION AND WILL NEVER BE PERSUADED BY $$$.

COMING SOON!
1) V/A - This Ain't Rocket Science
2) ANTI FLAG - A New Kind Of Army
3) SICK OF IT ALL - Call To Arms

88 Fingers Louie 88 Fingers Up Your Ass CD
Yeah! This is fast, and I mean fast, melodic hardcore punk that makes me want to slam dance… the only problem is I'm on the city bus. Oh well! If you don't already have this take my word for it, it rawks! You've gotta get some of these FINGERS up your ass… you'll love it! (Prawker)
[Hopeless Records, PO Box 7495, Van Nuys CA 91409 USA][http://www.hopelessrecords.com]

88 Fingers Louie Back On The Streets CD
I learned about 88 Fingers Louie a year or two after their departure and break up. I had an opportunity to attend their last show together as a band in my city but I had never heard any of their stuff so I did not go. My friends even told me that 88 Fingers Louie were more popular than NOFX so I was very surprised to have not heard of them before. I picked up the cd 88 Fingers Up Your Ass and was very very impressed. Inside it clearly explained the bands problems and the reason for their dismembering. I was very sad to only hear of the so late, but before I knew it, a rumor made way to me about 88FL getting back together. This excited me and I went out right away and purchased this cd. I was very impressed once again. I hope they stay together forever now. They are such a talented band that this cd stayed in my player for so long that I know every part of every song in detail. I even got to see them play at Snojam after getting back together. Amazing band is all I have to say. Buy it, rent it, borrow it, steal it. Don’t wait for them to break up again, they are back on the streets! (Prawker)
[Hopeless Records, PO Box 7495, Van Nuys CA 91409 USA][http://www.hopelessrecords.com]

Another Joe Cran Doodle Daddy CD
This is fast melodic pop punk if I've ever heard it! ANOTHER JOE smack you in the face with their Vancouver brand of sweet sweet punk rock candy. If I where still a little kid my mom wouldn't let me listen to this music because it would get me hyper. Well look out mom, I’ve just listened to 19 Another Joe tracks and I’m swinging from the lights. Get out a pot of coffee and an old punk rag, this is going to be a long night. Check out this record, or I'm telling on you. (Prawker)
[Landspeed Records, 1027 Davie St. Suite 600, Vancouver BC V6E 4L2 CANADA][http://www.landspeedrecs.com]

Bad Religion No Substance CD
Hmmm... The title sums it up. These guys just don’t seem to have the edge they used to. Not a bad release, but this record doesn’t do anything for me. Give it a listen if you are a fan. (Prawker)
[Atlantic Records, find a friend who buys major label records to tape it off of]

Bigwig Unmerry Melodies CD
I found out about these New Jersey punkers on the Sno Jam tour. They were touring with Trigger Happy, H20, Straight Faced, Planet Smashers, and Pennywise (best $15 I've ever spent). Anyway they played a great show and after my friend decided he'd buy this CD for $10. Man, do I ever wish I bought it too. Having it on tape doesn't give me my fair share of BIGWIG!! Anyway these guys are said to sound like Propagandhi, but I'd say they sound a bit more like 88 Fingers Louie or gob. One good album. (Prawker)
[Fearless Records, 13772 Goldenwest St. #545, Westminster CA 92683 USA][http://www.fearlessrecords.com]

Blink 182 Dude Ranch CD
Who could have seen this band hitting stardom with their song, "Dammit"? I DID!! It's almost too bad they are popular now cuz when I went to one their shows, it was mostly all alterna-freaks singing along with the pop/punk sounding band, tapping their feet, and taking a sip from a plastic cup of warm apple juice. But that popularity hasn't blurred my vision (or should I say hearing). This is a very good album. My only complaint is "THE GUITARIST'S VOICE!". It is soooo whiny it almost makes me puke, but hey puking is not so bad. This puke leaves a good taste in your mouth. (Prawker)
[MCA/CARGO Records, find a friend who buys major label records to tape it off of]

d.b.s. / Anti Flag North America Sucks SPLIT CD
This has got to be the best split album I've ever spent my hard earned money on. ANTI FLAG from the USA and D.B.S. from CANADA bash the 2 countries as they pound out 19 slammin dancibly aggressive punk rock songs. d.b.s. have their new raw sound down, while Anti Flag sound like their usual 1977 punker selves with snobby, angry, anti-government attitudes. There is no way you could not like this! (Prawker)
[Nefer Records, 1027 Davie St. Suite 600, Vancouver BC V6E 4L2 CANADA][http://www.sfu.ca/~snow/nefer/index.html]

d.b.s. I Is For Insignificant CD
Wow! Have these guys ever grown up! Coming off of their first extensive tour while attending high school, D.B.S. cranks out their 4th album to date. Although lyric wise, the music stays the same (meaningful lyrics that make you think), the sound has changed. Louder crunchier guitar, loud bloodcurtling vocals, and a more raw punk sound. The band evens sounds tighter than they used to. Look for a lot more stuff by them in the future! (Prawker)
[Sudden Death Records, Moscrop PO BOX #32001, Burnaby BC V5G 3H0 CANADA][http://www.suddendeath.com]

d.b.s. Some Boys Got It, Most Men Don't CD
All I can say is wow! This album completely took me by surprise. D.B.S. have changed their style very much, both musically and lyrically. Musically I’d put them in the emo punk category while the lyrics tend to be on a more personal level, rather than political. At first listen I was a little disappointed with this new change, but everytime I listen to it I like it more. Good quality recording and more experimental sound. “This has got ooomph!” Prawker like! (Prawker)
[New Disorder Records, 445 14th Street, San Francisco CA 94103 USA][http://www.newdisorder.com/disorder/newdisorder.html]

Frenzal Rhomb A Man's Not A Camel CD
I always love to hear bands from countries other than USA or Canada for a change! Not your average kind of Fat music which isn’t such a bad thing. Diversity is good! Not quite as good as I expected though which is too bad, but bad this record is not. These Australian accents are so soothing to my ears, I feel as if I have heard these songs somewhere before. Maybe in my dreams… I’m running through magical fields, sipping tea with rabbits made of candy and this cd is playing in the background. Ooop… the cd just finished playing. I feel like I’m just waking up after a wonderful dream. Relaxed and refreshed. I think you should give it a try! Australian for punk? I think it really means marsupials! (Prawker)
[Fat Wreck Chords, PO BOX 193690, San Francisco CA 94119-3690 USA][http://www.fatwreck.com]

gob Too Late... No Friends CD
I love this album! I heard this one a couple years ago and loved it, but haven't listened to it much since then. Lately I just picked it up to listen to and it is really good! Over 20 songs packed onto this filthy CD (see cd and you'll understand). Very fast, aggressive, Canuck Punk at it's best. Your friends will really like this one, oh yeah, I forgot. I'm sorry. (Prawker)
[Fearless Records, 13772 Goldenwest St. #545, Westminster CA 92683 USA][http://www.fearlessrecords.com]

Goober Patrol The Incredible Lightness of Being Drunk CD
Um… more Fat Wreck style pop punk from these crazy drunk Brits. Not bad, but not good either. It definitely won't knock you off your feet by any means but it might give you a good shot in the arm. Not really my thing, it's too generic to actually stand out from the pack of pop punk bands, cuz there are lots of em. Something's missing. (Prawker)
[Fat Wreck Chords, PO BOX 193690, San Francisco CA 94119-3690 USA][http://www.fatwreck.com]

Good Riddance Ballads From The Revolution CD
I just got this album a couple of hours ago and already I can't get enough of it. I'm listening to it right now and the song that seems to have caught my ear is "Salt". but I don't think even if I tried for a long time, I could find a song on here that I don't like! This album almost seems less pop and more melodic hardcore than their "Comprehensive Guide To Moderne Rebellion" album. I like this new Good Riddance sound a lot better. Get this album and turn it up real loud! These guys are my favourite band on FAT WRECK CHORDS! (Prawker)
[Fat Wreck Chords, PO BOX 193690, San Francisco CA 94119-3690 USA][http://www.fatwreck.com]

H2O Thicker Than Water CD
H2O are a bunch of scary lookin New York punks who play New York style melodic hardcore. I feel like if I don't give em a good review, they're gunna bust over to my house kill me with their giant waterguns… heh heh. I saw these guys live once and they were fuckin good! Definitely something to see if their in your town. Talk to the crowd a lot between each song. I think they even said how much they liked Canada because there are little to no fights or weapons in the pit at shows. When they said that I really got to thinking about how much I take that for granted. I can safely say I've never been to a show where a serious fight has started. Anyway, I like H2O and I like this record! It quenches my thirst and I think it'll quench your thirst. But soon, as always, you will become thirsty again and want more H2O. If only this band's music was as plentiful as actual water... sigh. (Prawker)
[Epitaph Records, 2798 Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles CA 90026 USA][http://www.epitaph.com]

Manner Farm “We” Is A Difficult Concept For Us CD
I have delayed reviewing this cd for long enough. There is something about this cd that has taken over a part of me and I really like it. I have lots of words to express how much I like this floating around in my head, my my subconscious mind keeps putting off the review. I think part of me never wants to put this cd down, and move onto the next. Some of the best hardcore I’ve heard with an excellent political edge, and melody in the most perfect of portions. I was amazed. These 6 songs have sold me on MANNER FARM. I lent this to my friend to check out, he went totally nuts over it. He kept it for a month and listened to it everyday. And everyday he had it I would go through the songs in my head, trying to make myself forget how much I missed not listenting to it. Help me. I’m an addict. Just another few songs and I’ll quit, I swear. (Prawker)
[Labour Of Love Records]

Me First And The Gimme Gimmes Are a Drag CD
Finally. Finally is all I can say because now I actually have a cd both me and my parents can enjoy. I haven’t heard of half of these songs, because they are covers of old bands who I’ve never heard of. But you can bet your favorite pair of underwear your parents know who they are! A great gift for a parents who wants to be young and hip again, or just a great cd for you to enjoy. You’ll love the way ME FIRST AND THE GIMME GIMMES play these classics! (Prawker)
[Fat Wreck Chords, PO BOX 193690, San Francisco CA 94119-3690 USA][http://www.fatwreck.com]

MxPx Slowly Going The Way Of The Buffalo CD
The way of the buffalo is not the only was this band went. They "sold out" to a mainstream label. I'd like to say that it hasn't affected their music, but I can't. Although it's a good album and has many great songs on it, the majority of them are slower songs. It sounds to me a lot like the new Green Day stuff. Also they had an amazing song in the making "Downfall Of Western Civilization" which isn't a very good song because of bad lyrics. It has a rad intro but then when the lyrics start it loses my interest. Check this album out but I don't suggest buying it unless you know what you're in for and don't mind supporting a major. (Prawker)
[A&M Records, find a friend who buys major label records to tape it off of]

MxPx Let It Happen CD
This was a very good idea to release something like this. It was an even better idea to make it low in price for the amount of songs on here. 32 songs from 7"s, 10"s, EPs, compilations, demo recordings, unreleased tracks and other surprises by MXPX. This album isn't on a major label so you can run out and get it without feeling the least bit guilty. I don't know what the story behind that is (did MxPx go back to Tooth & Nail Records?). If MxPx did go back to Tooth & Nail that was really smart thinking! Get really popular, make some money and then bring that popularity down to a punk label. Whether this was just released by Tooth & Nail or whether MxPx has gone back I still think this is really good. With 32 songs at a pretty price, you can't go wrong. Pop punk forever! (Prawker)
[Tooth & Nail Records, PO BOX 12698, Seattle WA 98111 USA][http://www.toothandnail.com]

NOFX I Hear They Suck Live CD
Me too! But they don't. In fact maybe they are too good, because I didn't enjoy this album. It sounds almost exactly like they are playing in a studio (except for the people booing and throwing shoes). It is pretty much like a compilation of all the NOFX albums I already own. Plus it's too short. If I'm going to buy a live album for $20 I want at least 20 songs on it!! (Prawker)
[Fat Wreck Chords, PO BOX 193690, San Francisco CA 94119-3690 USA][http://www.fatwreck.com]

NOFX So Long and Thanks For The Shoes CD
Do I really need to review this record? No. Do you want to read this review? Probably not. Am I going to review it anyway? You can bet your salty undergarments. Well, is this the end of NOFX? Just listening to this cd makes me realize how much I'm going to miss them when they are finally gone (I wonder if their clones will die off as well?). They have always claimed they suck, and people either love them or hate them, but you've gotta give em credit. In the past 15 or whatever years, it was THEM who bread the NOFX clones, not vise versa and we sometimes lose sight of that. This record basically sounds just as good or just as bad as their other albums but I do recommend at least giving it a listen. If you think it's all unoriginal overused punk garbage, great. If you think it's the best NOFX album ever, maybe even the best album ever, the more power to you... but either way give it a listen. It may be the last one you'll ever hear by them! (Prawker)
[Epitaph Records, 2798 Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles CA 90026 USA][http://www.epitaph.com]

No Use For A Name Leche Con Carne CD
When I bought this cd it was kind of a fluke. I was looking to buy Good Riddance but couldn't find it. So I got this because I had heard the song "Justified Black Eye" on a Fat Wreck sampler. Am I ever glad I made that "fluke" choice. This cd is really good! No Use For A Name are really cool. Only the band change members and names so much, its hard to keep track of them. Delicious cover art baby! (Prawker)
[Fat Wreck Chords, PO BOX 193690, San Francisco CA 94119-3690 USA][http://www.fatwreck.com]

Pecola The Mexican CD
I don’t know what the heck this is supposed to be and why they sent this in to be reviewed in a punk magazine. I don’t even think this is good enought to wipe my ass on. (Prawker)
[None]

Pennywise Unknown Road CD
This was my first Pennywise album and it was enough to get me hooked on these pioneer punks out of California. 13 fast, angry, salty tracks that will do a number on your taste buds. (Prawker)
[Epitaph Records, 2798 Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles CA 90026 USA][http://www.epitaph.com]

Pennywise About Time CD
It's about time I got around to reviewing this! I've had this for sometime, but haven't gotten around to doing it a review. I wasn't much of a Pennywise fan until I saw them live. They rawked and seemed to be really nice guys saying how it was cool playing shows in Canada. Everyone's there for the same reason, to have fun. In the U.S.A there are a lot of jocks starting fights and whatnot. Anyway this cd is good. My favourite tracks are the first 4 but basically the whole album rawks!! Everyone probably already knows what Pennywise sound like but if for some reason you've never heard any Pennywise stuff before, this would be the record to start off with. (Prawker)
[Epitaph Records, 2798 Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles CA 90026 USA][http://www.epitaph.com]

Pennywise Full Circle CD
When I heard that PENNYWISE'S bassist had died my first reaction and I'm sure everyone else's was the band was finished. Anything but! If anything positive has come out of Jason Matthew Thirsk's death it's a new fuel that drives the band to succeed. They play the song from their first album "Bro Hymn" and change the words around a bit in his honour. Sounds just like the old Pennywise to me, and that is a good thing! 14 fast punk songs, powerful lyrics and classic Pennywise sound. If you do not have this album yet, go get it now! (Prawker)
[Epitaph Records, 2798 Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles CA 90026 USA][http://www.epitaph.com]

Propagandhi Where Quality is Job #1 CD
Something to keep your foot tapping, but your brain thinking. Propagandhi are the best mix of speedy melodic punk rock and politics of the 1990’s. Just listem to the lyrics on any of their songs, or read the linear notes in any of their albums, and I’m sure you’d have to agree with me. This collection of “old, out of print, hard to find, live, demo and otherwise painful and embarrassing crap” is no exception! This motherload of 30 songs is a very enjoyable 70 minute listen. Another interesting point to note, this cd is $11.99 at every record store I’ve been to. Even the record stores where the cheapest cds are $19.99. If the back cover isn’t enough incentive to buy... I don’t know what is! (Prawker)
[G7 Welcoming Committee Records, P.O. Box 3-905 Corydon Ave, Winnipeg MB R3M 3S3 CANADA][http://g-7.a-zone.org/main.htm]

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