Posted on April 14, 2010 - by Editor

Album Reviews: The Menzingers/ Star Fucking Hipsters/ Fiction Reform

Chamberlian Waits

Chamberlain Waits
The Menzingers
Red Scare Industries

Believe the hype. We are fortunate enough to be included on a lot of media and press postings and emails, a lot of hyped up adjective ridden fluff about how every new record and band is the best thing yet. The Menzingers have delivered on the hype not generated by press bulletins but by other bands that have over the past 12 month been doing nothing singing their praises.

From the albums onset with ‘Who’s Your Partner’, ‘I Was Born’ and ‘Home Outgrown’ the energy and craft is admirable and exciting. ‘Male Call’ is a slow number but no less intense. Greg Barnett and Tom May share vocal duties on the record much like The Lawrence Arms and Hot Water Music did on latter albums, their relationship and duality are powerful and important for the dynamics of the songs.

This full length record, the band’s second is such a joy from start to finish mixing folk, punk and melodic hardcore tunes which Matt Allison has produced wonderfully.  Pulling influence and inspiration from a mix of Against Me!, Anti Flag, and others but they retain a distinctive sound and have carved out powerful harmonised and overtly political record which with little doubt will gain increasing publicity in the months to come. Utterly impressive and inspirational and scary considering it’s so early in their careers; they have set a high bar but we can’t get it off our digital player!

Never Rest In Peace

Never Rest In Peace
Star Fucking Hipsters
Alternative Tentacles

Having seen Star Fucking Hipsters play live a couple times last year with mainly one record to rely on in addition to some covers and Sturg “Stza” Crack (Leftover Crack, Choking Victim) previous bands their second album was going to be a make or break in my opinion; whether this band truly could fill the bridge and act as a continuation of Leftover Crack as Sturg had explained to me at the time last year. Thankfully “Never Rest In Peace” is a monumental record and in my opinion his best work since “Fuck World Trade”.

This is a band of course and Nico de Gallo in particular as well as members from Ensign, Big Attack!, Awkward Thought, and Aloke contribute in their own ways. At the core of the record are in your face political and social commentary (which to be honest is to be expected) but it’s the melodic to and fro combination of Stza and Nico’s varying vocals and the variety of sound ranging from crusty anarcho, melodic punk with doses of metal and a singular ska song that keep the album fresh and interesting.

From the opening burst of the record the album delivers one of my favourite songs of the year in ‘3000 miles Away’ (much like previous records ‘Two Cups Of Tea’ in catchiness and clever melody). ‘Design’ with its driving guitars is also a great catchy song and best demonstrates the sweet and sour vocal collaboration. ‘Church and Rape’ is far more hardcore (much like Leftover Crack). ‘The Civilization Show’ with its ska intro is another political offering with guest vocals from Dick Lucas (Citizen Fish). Other contributors include Jasper Pattison (Citizen Fish / Culture Shock), Bryan Kienlen (Bouncing Souls).

It’s an incredibly varied and creative record, produced by Ryan D. Jones (mostly in world-famous C-Squat on New York’s Lower East Side), and mastered by Howie Weinberg (Beastie Boys, Metallica, Ramones, Rancid, Nirvana, Slayer) and far exceeds my expectations. The final title track ‘Never Rest In Peace’ leaves you on a macabre high highlighting their ability to craft catchy, poignant and political songs.

Revelations In The Palms Of The Weak

Revelations In The Palms Of The Weak
Fiction Reform
Basement Records

The debut album from a mini super group of musicians who have toured and recorded in the past with acts such as This Is My Empire, Bullet Treatment, Aerodrone and Civet. They play up-tempo dirty rock n’ rolling punk lead by the deep vocals of Brenna Red but aptly supported by Aaron (guitar), Dan (bass) and Danny on drums.

The vocal range that at times hints at the Distillers raspiness but doesn’t sound quite as good while also resembling Hole on the more rocking songs; overall I’m undecided and it’s a range that takes some getting used to but it’s thankfully not high pitched and all scream/sing from which some female fronted bands suffer. The record promises much with the furious ‘Whites In Their Eyes’ and first single ‘Small Silhouette’ which are amongst the better songs on the album with great tempo breaks, guitars and driving drums.

As the album progresses I at times lose a little bit of interest but ‘Mr. Eva Braun’ and the ballad “Come Back Home” are also tracks I think stand out. I do find the songs become a little stale and formulaic but it’s the kinda bar room dirty rock that I’m less inclined to. Overall a decent record, one which could generate high profile attention but I hope there is better to come.