When I heard the first two singles I wanna be a dog and Everything to me, I was somehow not much impressed, the songs were okay, but it was like something lacked to them, some anthemic melody as I thought. Now, after I listened to the all of the 14 songs for couple of times now, I love the album. Teenage Bottlerocket continue to play and evolve their Ramones core version of pop punk melody and energy. The musicianship is tighter than ever and the energy delivered on this record is awesome. Lyrical wise, they continued their sci fi tongue in cheek inspired lyrics like Night of the knuckleheads, I´ll kill you tomorrow, humour like awesome Creature from the black metal lagoon or Wild Hair(Across my ass), but there are some serious tunes like gentle Everything to me that I mentioned above or Little kid and Anti-social media. I have a feeling that the band sounds like a cross between the newer Lillingtons material in the songs tha Kody sings and the earlier Ramones core pop punk in the songs that Ray sings with Kody sung material being better to my personal taste. Great record, can´t wait to hear the new songs live this Summer!
Punkrock heroes Amuse just released their new album on Dodgeball Records and I consider myself lucky that I listened and reviewed this record for this webzine.
I must admit that I have never heard of Amuse prior to this record so I am stoked that I listened to them and became an instant fan. This record contains 12 songs of excellent melodic punkrock with influences lying in pop punk and Ramones core bands like Teenage Bottlerocket or Screeching Weasel. The vocals are just the way I like it, not too mellow or too harsh. Backing vocals and harmonies are done nicely and the song structures are made to keep the listener˙s attention and are they don´t become boring at all. Mainly, the songs are faster and energetic like for instant the excellent “The Truth Is Out There” but there are also pop punk hitters like “Never Alone”. One of the absolute highlights of this record for me is “Fantasy” with awesome lyrics about punkrock and life. The other highlight is “A New Hopeless” for which the guys made a video which you can watch below being a totally excellent Teenage Bottlerocket like song. This is an awesome record so go get it!
The Chromosomes from Livorno, Italy are playing punk since 1993. and remain loyal to the DIY ethics of the underground punk hardcore scene. Respect to the guys who recently delivered their fifth album and I am proud to be able to listen and review it for this zine.
“Losing Eleven” contains 11 tracks of awesome melodic punkrock which is perfect for listening in these days of Spring sunny and warm days. All of the tunes have that excuisite melody that only Italian bands can provide. This band reminds me a lot of Italian bands which I used to listen to in the 90-ies like Derozer for example or This Side Up and I love them for that because the music of The Chromosomes made me nostalgic and brought tear of joy to my eye remembering singing aloud and pogoing to the music of similar bands like 20 years ago. In the time when you think that you and your friends are invincible and nothing can stop you. Nowadays you realize that from the crew that was then, only you remained. But, I digress. The lyrics of the songs are in English and typical for the happier side of punk music. On the whole this album could pass under Ramones Cora music like Teenage Bottlerocket are playing. My favourite songs on this record are “Heavy metal kid”, “Leavin Canada”.
KRAYKULLA-WEBZINE 