!upstarter Punk Reviews

The Gaslight Anthem "Senor and the Queen" EP (c) 2008 Hey, Gaslight Anthem, New Jersey just called and they want Bruce Springsteen back. No, I am totally just kidding. Gaslight Anthem is a Rock and Roll band from straight outta New Brunswick, New Jersey, and here's the juice: Any band worth their cajones that comes from Jersey owes a bit of respect to The Boss.This EP is full of mad respect.  Senor and the Queen is a bit of a teaser EP after 2007's well hailed "Sink or Swim" and in anticipation of a new forthcoming full length.  However short though it may be, it is packed with guts and rock.  Reminiscient of Bruce, Ryan Adams and Nathan Asher, but with a bit more underlying punk snear.  No matter what, I look forward to the new full length.  In the mean time you can pick up your copy of Senor and the Queen when you catch The Gaslight Anthem on tour in a town near you.  What the hell, go to a town far away and see them and get a copy.–Jerry Actually

Handheld(c) 2008 Year of the Sun "Good morning Canada. How are you today?" "Oh just fine thanks. What can I do for you?" "Well, I'd like some new punk rock. What have you got?" "Well, we have this new self-title CD from some of our favorite sons, Handheld." "Hmmmm, Handheld you say. I've never heard of them. Are they any good?" "Are they any good? well of course they are. Maybe you should keep reading."   Hailing from (what I can only assume it the Canadian equivalent to the OC) Kitchener, Ontario, Handheld have been cranking out the punk rock in true DIY fashion, booking their own shows, self-financing their releases, paying for their own beer (yeah right). Seriously though, the DIY ethic and personal pride shine through in their music. Handheld's new self-titled release brings a melodic and emotional, yet quick paced punk melange somewhere in the vein of  Face to Face vs.  The Lawrence Arms.  15 regularly scheduled tracks and one bonus track special should help push the ratings up for new and old fans alike. Enjoy!–Jerry Actually

The Loved Ones – Build & Burn(c) 2008 Fat Wreck ChordsFollowing up 2006’s “Keep Your Heart”, The Loved Ones are back with 10 news tracks on “Build & Burn”. I wasn’t familiar with the band prior to this release, but I like what I hear. They have a blue collar, american anthemic rock’n punk sound akin to the Street Dogs and Hudson Falcons. Mix that with riffs akin to No Use For A Name and a vocalist that reminds me a bit of Milo (Aukerman) and you get a pretty damn well rounded punk band. So cheers for the sophomore effort of The Loved Ones. 10 songs of choices and consequence to help you through your dreary workaday life.–Jerry Actually

Primasonic – Denver (c) 2008Primasonic, Denver based Punk (and/or) Rock outfit shakes it like a rock band, not unlike The Strokes, The Hives, The Vines (monosyllabic names ad infinitum) They, however, have some things going on for them that the aforementioned bands do not. Namely, they have four syllables in their band name, and if you don’t count the word “the” (and I dont) that makes them at least four times as good as any of those other bands I mentioned. Seriously though, Primasonic has their roots firmly planted in Rock n’ Roll but with plenty of Punk attitude. Similar to the resurgent sounds of The Humpers or US Bombs. Their new release due out sometime this year packs 13 tracks of spit and vitriol as well as one “radio edit” (we will scratch that one from the record) Hijinks and facetiousness aside Primasonic has got the rock and they bring the chops. Good new music with and old music vibe comein’ at ya straight outta Denver, CO. Plus to prove their mystical combining of the elements, you get the requisite covers of Paint it Black and Something to Do … Bonus!–Jerry Actually

Siouxsie Sioux – Mantaray (c) 2007 Decca Records “Mantaray” is the first solo album from Siouxsie [No Banshees. No Creatures.] [Despite it being a solo release it still has everything] from the [familiar] tribal beats to the original sounds of Siouxsie and the Banshees. If you like the creatures and all of Siouxsie Sue, I guarantee you’ll like this cd. So go get it!–Super Leslie

The Wonder Years – Get Stocked On It! (c) 2007 No Sleep Records Ok, I can't say that I'm totally "Stoked On It!".  It isn't unpleasant, but it didn't really grab me and shake me by the neck either. I think maybe the middle of the road tempo kind of put me into a lull.  Sure there are faster bits, and some hardcore backing vocals, but if you apply an average across the tracks it all kind of sets a course for rock.  That being said, the song content is tongue in cheek and I do enjoy that.  Bottom line, The Wonder Years aren't so bad, but I'd like to see them commit to one direction or the other a bit more.–Jerry Actually 

The Briefs – The Greatest Story Ever Told (c) 2007 BYO RecordsBehold as the history of The Briefs unfolds before you very eyes. Formed in the wee young year of 2000 in a post grunge Seattle, The Briefs kick out ‘77 style fun loving punk rock. If you’re into this sort thing, the DVD comes jam packed w/ over two hours of Briefs footage including live, practice and studio footage and of course, the complete history of The Briefs. Along w/ the video you also get a bonus eight track live CD. Incidentally, The Lawrence Arms may have already tried to tell you the greatest story ever, but did they give you a DVD to go with it? No! I didn’t think so! So kick back and watch and listen to the greatest story ever told.–Jerry Actually

The Hot Toddies – Smell the Mitten (c) 2007 Asian Man Records Welcome to the sultry and saccharin sweet sounds of The Hot Toddies.  Like a gang of prom queens that sipped a little too much of the spiked punch, these gals rock with a quirky seduction and loads of mischievous naughtiness.  The vocal harmonies are drop dead gorgeous (especially if you miss the vocal sound of the Dance Hall Crashers) and the music kinda of an alterna-fifties indie pop.  Smell the Mitten is a great full length debut from this band of Bay area beauties. They've got the chops and the hooks and the satiric wit that has me waiting for more. –Jerry Actually 

The New Rivals – S/T (c) 2007 SoBe Entertainment Do I have an immediate suspicion of a "punk rock" band on a beverage based label that gives top billing to label mate Brook Hogan?  You bet your ass I do.  The New Rivals have all the trappings of a band either sourced or designed to fit a market formula.  The songs are just edgy enough, but not offensive.  The tracks are almost all within the radio friendly three minute zone.  The music is performed ably enough, but it seems like all of this ground has been well paved in the past.  That being said, if you were to score this CD with a SoBe cap or something, that would be better than some beverage cap prizes.  Incidentally, SoBe Entertainment claims to be an Indy Label: "SoBe Entertainment is an independent record label based in Miami Beach, FL." – this is right off their web site. They aren't making any claims to a connection with SoBe the beverage, but I'll draw my own I think.  On top of that, this disc came to me from Universal … not exactly independent.–Jerry Actually 

Andrew Jackson Jihad – People That Can Eat People Are The Luckiest People In The World (c) 2007 Asian Man RecordsI don’t quite know how to spell out how I feel about Andrew Jackson Jihad. I like them in a weird sort of way. Kinda in the same way that everyone has a really bizarre friend (unless you are the bizarre friend) and you like the friend, but sometimes you just aren’t sure why. AJJ is a bit of an amalgamated Dead Milkmen Wally Pleasant and Old 97’s. The songs are certainly very eclectic with off the beaten path lyrics and an overall Bluegrass quality. I am compelled to recommend them highly, but I’m just not quite sure why.–Jerry Actually