No one can take away The Offspring´s influence on punk rock music with their classic trilogy of Smash, Ixnay and Americana albums. But, they released more albums than those three, each of them had decent bunch of songs, but also each of them never was great album in its entirety. This is long awaited new album and new music. What to say? There are 14 songs on this one. The story repeats itself. There are some good ones, like This Is Not Utopia, The Opioid Diaries or Hassan Chop. But, there are couple of horrible songs like the title track, I am sorry but I just can´t stand this one or We Never Have Sex Anymore. Was this one trying to play similar to Mad Caddies or what? Also there are couple of fillers on this one, like totally unnecessary In The Hall Of The Mountain King. Rendition of Gone Away is a great pop ballad, but not fitting to punk rock album. Unfortunately, this record has more bad than good songs.
When Chaser released their last album Sound The Sirens it was such fantastic record that I was kind of worried and thinking to myself how will these guys top that record. I got to know Mike, Bill and Jesse in 2018 at Punk Rock Holiday when I interviewed them for this webzine and they are so nice, down to earth and friendly people. When Look Alive e.p. came out, I knew that we are coming to something great and now this full length is finally out. I can not believe it, but Chaser have done it again and released the best punk rock record in 2021 which will be very hard to surpass by anyone. This one contains 13 songs. Besides already known singles 2020 and A New Direction for which the videos were made, there are eleven more hits coming your way. A New Direction is such punk rock anthem with such beautiful uplifting lyrics and melody with fantastic back vocal harmonies made for singing along at gigs. Positivity is what this whole record is about, giving us light and hope, bringing smile back on our faces in these dark times, reminding us not all is lost yet. I will write now about my personal favorites on this record. First is Good Times, song in which all beauty of Mike´s voice comes front, coupled with superb backing vocals mainly by bassist Jesse and together they create this anthem of hope, fast punk rock song that hits you in the head. Echoes is another one that stands out for me, with that typical Chaser melody, speed and lyrics, this one I listened on repeat couple of times before I continued with the rest of the album. The title song is also one that made my skin crawl with goosebumps bringing tears of joy when my heart let go and felt all the emotion of this song. Break The Chain has perhaps the most beautiful chorus on the record and I just can´t write anymore. Go check out this one. Fanfanfantastic!
Comrad are from Italy and UK and this is their new e.p. This is a relatively new punk rock band from Italy and bassist Andy also plays in Dead Neck from UK, well known to this zine. There are five songs on this release with lyrics being in Italian. I love this language it is so melodic and just made for making superb melodic punk songs with harmonies and everything. This band basically plays melodic punk rock yet there are some post punk influences and also pop and rock here and there. This is not your classical break neck speed skate punk. Songs are much more complex and much more layers are put into writing, emotional, somehow sad yet hopeful and make you smile and wish that you have a full length for listening. As far my Italian understanding goes, lyrics are personal and beautiful. So., this is a real nice release, hope full length will be upon us soon.
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