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Jawbreaker – Unfun

February 22, 2010

JawbreakerI think that a band’s overall sound can represent something larger than the band itself. Take Jawbreaker, for instance. Although their sound can be described, in a genre- specific sense, as a mix of early pop-punk (in the vein of Alkaline Trio) and alt-noise (in the vein of Sonic Youth) there’s a deeper sonic representation that I think better suits the band. They sound like the internal rage of the educated, middle-class, late 20s and early 30-somethings that hold remedial desk jobs that they can’t stand. How’s that for over your head?

ANYWAY, Unfun is the band’s first full-length album and also features the songs from their Whack and Blite EP. As I said before, there’s a striking similarity to early Jawbreaker and early Alkaline Trio. Up-beat song structures featuring rather dour subject matter. The difference being, Jawbreaker focuses on more philosophical, deep thinking lyrical approaches—even if they’re based on the simplest of ideas—and all buried beneath a wall of distortion.

The only reason this album didn’t get a full three stars (as cliché as those are) is the lack of memorability. Late stage Jawbreaker has songs that stick with you long after you’ve listened to it. Their early incarnation, although just as savage and clever, lacks the same quality and the lyrics are damn near unintelligible. Can’t have everything, I guess. Key tracks to enjoy – “Imaginary War,” “Busy,” “Wound” and “Eye-5”.

 

Captain Morgan
Big Wheel Music Contributor
 

 

 

Music from the Used Record Bin

 

 

                                                     Check out other records in the used bin HERE

 

 

 

 

 

Alkaline Trio – Goddamnit

February 6, 2010

Alkaline Trio - GoddamnitYou can truly hear the Danzig-era Misfits influence on this one.  Intentionally sloppy guitars, poor production and brimming with darkened angst; Goddamnit is a shot straight to the face (with a beer chaser of course) with that brilliant mix of Skate and Horror Punk that Alkaline Trio is known for.

The best part of Alkaline, they've never changed the core of their sound: dark, brooding, frustrated and most times hungover. What has changed is just the production value over the years. More money, more gadgets and more time spent in the studio allows for experimentation and musical growth. It's not a "sell out" move to improve upon your musicianship/production skills (but when you craft an entire album specifically for the world audience, I can see how it would be perceived that way - Green Day I’m looking at you).

Goddamnit is not Alkaline Trio’s all time best record (I’d give that praise to From Here to Infirmary) but it is solid all the same. Memorable songs of heartbreak, lonely nights and intoxicated love; illustrated in the snidest of ways. Key Tracks - “San Francisco”, “Nose Over Tail” and “Sorry About That”


 

Captain Morgan
Big Wheel Music Contributor
 

 

 

Music from the Used Record Bin

 

 

                                                     Check out other records in the used bin HERE

 

 

 

 

 

About the Used Record Bin

February 6, 2010

The "Used Record Bin" is a new feature Big Wheel is introducing as a way to share with the audience at large with all kinds of records that may not be new releases, yet they still have plenty of life. These are records that are great finds that are found in the used bins in record stores all around the globe, records that are found at swap meets, garage sales, etc. If you have a record that you would like to have Big Wheel consider publishing, drop us a line. HERE

Fight Paris – Paradise Found

February 5, 2010

Fight Paris - Paradise FoundRipping pages directly from the Motley Crue handbook and making songs out of them, Fight Paris deliver 10 tracks of self-destructive good times.  My problem with it, however, is the overkill redundancy of it all.  “Ok, I get it.  You party, bang chicks and break things.  Now move on.”  The lone track I’m particularly partial to is "Destroyer", but much like getting completely wasted, it’s only good every now and then.

Maybe I’m hoping for too much when I’m asking a group of adolescents to scream about something else over their balls to wall rock and roll.  Some bands have managed to maintain the same themes throughout their career, but writing from different points of view.

 
I guess the most entertain part about this band is that they’re on Trustkill records, home to several straightedge hardcore bands.  It would make sense if these aren’t the popular guys in the hardcore scene for that very reason.  It's a good album to party too, similar to Andrew W.K., but other than that it's just ok.

 

Captain Morgan
Big Wheel Music Contributor
 

 

 

Music from the Used Record Bin

 

 

                                                     Check out other records in the used bin HERE

 

 

 

 

 

Crusierweight – Sweet Weaponry

February 4, 2010

Gutter TwinsIf you're ever in the mood for one hell of a catchy rock album, this is all for you.  It feels like a pillow fight; you’re beating the hell out of other people, but you're having fun with it.  With riffs and percussion that keep the boxing match going but the clear female vocal that is so full of positive energy you nearly ignore the fact you might be getting bruised.

The singer's lyrics are highly poetic (albeit slightly nonsensical) with the main themes about self-realization, personal growth and perseverance (but not in a Hatebreed kind of way).  My personal favorites are "Goodbye Daily Sadness and “Operation Eyes Closed”; the best songs to throw on after a shitty day.  Sweet Weaponry is an all around solid album that begs you to play it again.

 

Captain Morgan
Big Wheel Music Contributor
 

 

 

Music from the Used Record Bin

 

 

                                                     Check out other records in the used bin HERE

 

 

 

 

 

The Gutter Twins – Saturnalia

February 3, 2010

Gutter TwinsDarkness exists in all of us, just as lightness does (consider the two “evil” and “good” respectively) and there are three types of human beings (read as: musicians) in this world.  The first is a well balanced individual who is aware of both the dark and light side of their personality and is capable of keeping a middle road stance between the two – never choosing a side.  The second wears the darker side like the trendiest clothes for the whole world to see, but is not truly a “dark” person.  The third is an individual who accepts the darker side but somehow makes it an entrancing phenomenon.

The Gutter Twins – comprised of The Afghan Wings Greg Dulli and Screaming Trees Mark Lanegan - are very much the third type.  Much like their brethren who were able to embrace that inner darkness – Johnny Cash, Matt Skiba, Shane MacGowan, et al – and somehow make it into something you feel empathetic towards rather than recoiling in fear.  Saturnalia is chock full of powerful tunes that effectively illustrate man’s darker personality, all the while keeping it strangely upbeat (not in a Disney way, rather a punk rock way).

With songs like, “All Misery/Flowers” and “Circle the Fringes” you get the impression you’re being entertained by the anti-hero Hollywood archetype.  Even the lyrics, “My idle hands- There's nothing I can do but be the Devil's plaything, baby and know that I've been used” on the devilishly deviant “Idle Hands” make you want to commit random acts of sin – despite your moral backing.

Heavy but beautiful guitar work, thunderous percussion and iconic vocal work make Saturnalia a freakishly fantastic album.  You’re conscience is consistently tapping on your shoulder and waving its “no-no” finger at you, all the while you keep turning up the volume knob.  You get the sense that if you were to give one of these characters a ride, you’d wake up missing organs.

 

Captain Morgan
Big Wheel Music Contributor
 

 

 

Music from the Used Record Bin

 

 

                                                     Check out other records in the used bin HERE

 

 

 

 

 

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