tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-46488680633185607252024-03-18T17:12:26.810-04:00Faster and LouderPunk and rock n' roll reviews from Lord Rutledge and friends Lord Rutledgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11808432134946889364noreply@blogger.comBlogger1979125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4648868063318560725.post-69033634239808141042024-03-18T06:53:00.006-04:002024-03-18T07:08:01.873-04:00CB Kiddo - "Feeling Fine"/"So It Goes"<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFGdRZv-OwgizrUoL9iGplgyLlHLIBSy4j2tlUlxJCk7GoYwKNv5Ui2rbHxZdqZYOrJD9yBPKlPlU-2C_Pk6N3bcJixhyqWH395PXYl-it3vFU4Hnz0GGAqV7of4TGoOOVU8xT5n96kSFvYanaEzdSbCXOwDsr_f2wT9e6ThX3cWqA4FwUvaipONSZBBY/s1200/a3833529762_10.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFGdRZv-OwgizrUoL9iGplgyLlHLIBSy4j2tlUlxJCk7GoYwKNv5Ui2rbHxZdqZYOrJD9yBPKlPlU-2C_Pk6N3bcJixhyqWH395PXYl-it3vFU4Hnz0GGAqV7of4TGoOOVU8xT5n96kSFvYanaEzdSbCXOwDsr_f2wT9e6ThX3cWqA4FwUvaipONSZBBY/s320/a3833529762_10.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />Wasn't I <i>just</i> talking about how I knew the demise of Phone Jerks would have a silver lining because former members' new projects would ultimately multiply the awesomeness? The awesomeness continues to multiply! CB Kiddo is Emily's home-recorded pandemic project. And while there is much controversy and debate surrounding various aspects of Phone Jerks (What was their best record? Which band did they rip off the most? Which song should they have covered? Which song should they not have covered? Who had the best hair?), I think fans would unanimously proclaim Emily as their favorite Phone Jerks singer. So the idea of Emily singing on another project was going to be warmly-received even if she just sang hockey scores over top of jazz flute. But far better than that, CB Kiddo turns out to be a lo-fi rockin' poppy punk thing that's gonna have you all going nuts. Its worldwide debut features a pair of unmastered demo tracks that you'll love even if you're too bougie to like Phone Jerks. Both of these songs — "Feeling Fine" and "So It Goes" — are stone cold bangers with killer hooks and freaking awesome lyrics. Seriously: "Feeling Fine" could be an A-side right now. Holy cannoli, what a debut! And it's a free download, so you've got no excuses for sleeping on it! <p><iframe seamless="" src="https://bandcamp.com/EmbeddedPlayer/album=2208735708/size=small/bgcol=ffffff/linkcol=0687f5/track=291263480/transparent=true/" style="border: 0; height: 42px; width: 100%;"><a href="https://kiddo27.bandcamp.com/album/cb-kiddo">CB Kiddo by CB Kiddo</a></iframe></p><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="mailto:fasterandlouderblog@gmail.com">-L.R.</a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="mailto:fasterandlouderblog@gmail.com"><br /></a><a href="https://kiddo27.bandcamp.com/album/cb-kiddo">https://kiddo27.bandcamp.com/album/cb-kiddo</a></div>Lord Rutledgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11808432134946889364noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4648868063318560725.post-6274674120597594302024-03-16T09:24:00.008-04:002024-03-16T09:27:43.030-04:00White Wires - Singles and Rarities <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0NW5qOoA5eeHBW6WENkxwlarPt-RRucMdgp_BXS3e9SneMVW1Ad7TE24J0mGk-rO7rJ1Rw7voDsD6EmIucZFNzdD51OJXBGknd-jr0coxEHWJMr8zNuarJaqG13_kVKJrBeHwswtf7taSw8g6MLJrn5Gj0WTEbI3uSRsz4LFc8yHO7lcIhHZ-u-3ffBI/s1200/1200x1200bb.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0NW5qOoA5eeHBW6WENkxwlarPt-RRucMdgp_BXS3e9SneMVW1Ad7TE24J0mGk-rO7rJ1Rw7voDsD6EmIucZFNzdD51OJXBGknd-jr0coxEHWJMr8zNuarJaqG13_kVKJrBeHwswtf7taSw8g6MLJrn5Gj0WTEbI3uSRsz4LFc8yHO7lcIhHZ-u-3ffBI/s320/1200x1200bb.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />One thing I regret about my nearly four-year sabbatical from music reviewing that pre-dated this blog is that I missed most of an incredible run by The White Wires. I caught the tail end of that run and loved the album <i>WWIII</i>. But when I went back and listened to their early singles and first two albums, I was floored. There's no doubt about it: had I been reviewing music circa 2008-2010, The White Wires would have been one of my most highly touted bands. So I relish the opportunity to be able to review this Ottawa-based trio one more time. <i>Singles and Rarities</i> is exactly what it sounds like: a collection of the band's singles and compilation cuts which essentially forms a fourth White Wires album. There's even a previously-unreleased track included! If you want to hear one of past decade's greatest punky power pop garage bands in top form, <i>Singles and Rarities</i> is a must-listen. 7" sides like "Crazy Crazy" and "Pogo 'til I Puke Tonight" are up there with the best of the band's songs, and covers of The Nerves ("Letter to G") and Poppees ("I Need Your Love") are totally aces. The unreleased track, "Spy," is quite good and will be a real treat for fans. You can stream this compilation now and look forward to a vinyl release from It's Alive Records!<div><br /><div><iframe seamless="" src="https://bandcamp.com/EmbeddedPlayer/album=1802037929/size=small/bgcol=ffffff/linkcol=0687f5/track=3405770690/transparent=true/" style="border: 0; height: 42px; width: 100%;"><a href="https://thewhitewires.bandcamp.com/album/total-punk-45">Total Punk 45 by the White Wires</a></iframe><iframe seamless="" src="https://bandcamp.com/EmbeddedPlayer/album=2632223681/size=small/bgcol=ffffff/linkcol=0687f5/track=3312167063/transparent=true/" style="border: 0; height: 42px; width: 100%;"><a href="https://thewhitewires.bandcamp.com/album/ugly-pop-records-45">Ugly Pop Records 45 by the White Wires</a></iframe><br /></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="mailto:fasterandlouderblog@gmail.com">-L.R.</a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="mailto:fasterandlouderblog@gmail.com"><br /></a><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UIASQ-j15uc&list=OLAK5uy_mwF9W9eCZbHdwh6Ilopa22d1JitmC-D-A">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UIASQ-j15uc&list=OLAK5uy_mwF9W9eCZbHdwh6Ilopa22d1JitmC-D-A<br /></a><a href="https://open.spotify.com/album/3RuiabpH6uPHCQxY3oUd7Y">https://open.spotify.com/album/3RuiabpH6uPHCQxY3oUd7Y<br /></a><a href="https://www.facebook.com/thewhitewires">https://www.facebook.com/thewhitewires<br /></a><a href="https://thewhitewires.bandcamp.com/">https://thewhitewires.bandcamp.com/</a></div></div>Lord Rutledgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11808432134946889364noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4648868063318560725.post-86415851658659284032024-03-16T08:42:00.011-04:002024-03-16T08:56:18.815-04:00Pleasants - Rocanrol In Mono<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPN4JTNgavliXEBRFwuD3BT4jjAJ9Qym9pzamFi-N490AhCmnhMS3mLQSkDdp2xvR9hrjhcWDDDfgz6bUOnTTwgzB3Dh8G4riYDdw7hE0Np8MwIcKYsu8-MGbSXbcecx6EH2nAdAHUhfBD8dPltlW2NN__LjIuRs0hUxtHLbqEPUvIDdWuXya01tXGqbw/s1200/a2382242908_10.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPN4JTNgavliXEBRFwuD3BT4jjAJ9Qym9pzamFi-N490AhCmnhMS3mLQSkDdp2xvR9hrjhcWDDDfgz6bUOnTTwgzB3Dh8G4riYDdw7hE0Np8MwIcKYsu8-MGbSXbcecx6EH2nAdAHUhfBD8dPltlW2NN__LjIuRs0hUxtHLbqEPUvIDdWuXya01tXGqbw/s320/a2382242908_10.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />Here come the Aussies again exerting world domination over modern-day punk rock! Pleasants hail from Perth and have released several notable singles over the last couple of years. Out now on Under the Gun Records, <i>Rocanrol In Mono </i>is the band's long-awaited full-length debut. This whole record was written, performed, recorded, and mixed by one individual, Mr. Al Uminium. Blending the raw energy of Aussie garage punk with egg punk-ish elements and a classic punk approach to songwriting, this nifty long player more than lives up to the promise of the singles. These songs are catchy as hell, odd in the best possible sense, and just really damn good. <i>Rocanrol In Mono</i> joins a rapidly-growing list of great punk albums released so far this year. When it comes to budget punk (or is it budget <i>rocanrol</i>?), Pleasants are here to show us how it's done! <div><p><iframe seamless="" src="https://bandcamp.com/EmbeddedPlayer/album=223641293/size=small/bgcol=ffffff/linkcol=0687f5/track=514844110/transparent=true/" style="border: 0; height: 42px; width: 100%;"><a href="https://utgrecords.bandcamp.com/album/rocanrol-in-mono">Rocanrol In Mono by Pleasants</a></iframe><iframe seamless="" src="https://bandcamp.com/EmbeddedPlayer/album=223641293/size=small/bgcol=ffffff/linkcol=0687f5/track=3344849351/transparent=true/" style="border: 0; height: 42px; width: 100%;"><a href="https://utgrecords.bandcamp.com/album/rocanrol-in-mono">Rocanrol In Mono by Pleasants</a></iframe></p><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="mailto:fasterandlouderblog@gmail.com">-L.R.</a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="mailto:fasterandlouderblog@gmail.com"><br /></a><a href="https://pleasants77.bandcamp.com/album/rocanrol-in-mono">https://pleasants77.bandcamp.com/album/rocanrol-in-mono<br /></a><a href="https://utgrecords.bandcamp.com/album/rocanrol-in-mono">https://utgrecords.bandcamp.com/album/rocanrol-in-mono<br /></a><a href="https://utgrecords.com/products/copy-of-total-sham-lp">https://utgrecords.com/products/copy-of-total-sham-lp</a></div></div>Lord Rutledgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11808432134946889364noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4648868063318560725.post-91323756401264527092024-03-16T08:42:00.010-04:002024-03-16T08:55:06.191-04:00My Ten Favorite Pop-Punk Albums of the 20th Century <p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilisQfjYn9999NWIfW11MVL5dXb0_qC778ZQLGHlU6Mw4GNLnpYQDmybiSUxpYMx6t0aAyyRXSa8X5aX6VlX7U3I0HExRFWifxFhI-wlt_2WHEY6yKaFVvTpf-xwSzDUJir4gxxQAgPJUIjofmFGjsnKhVo-uqdCIpOeKEbqjmTrCnXpfjh9gK0xMeNPs/s600/R-1881088-1249813047.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="595" data-original-width="600" height="317" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilisQfjYn9999NWIfW11MVL5dXb0_qC778ZQLGHlU6Mw4GNLnpYQDmybiSUxpYMx6t0aAyyRXSa8X5aX6VlX7U3I0HExRFWifxFhI-wlt_2WHEY6yKaFVvTpf-xwSzDUJir4gxxQAgPJUIjofmFGjsnKhVo-uqdCIpOeKEbqjmTrCnXpfjh9gK0xMeNPs/s320/R-1881088-1249813047.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDb5Ove06gbU_urri2sCbvAl02-Nwlwcax7GvTh0L6t92fnYB8RM-8DDui_yenT2kaFh-gM0ezD32MBbJhq0XR4l3PPL9or9fOh13njRZ8_Zz1KwakCj1gseMZw_59A3hv_lswXVOsty6IGuRt1CeddkENagXHHI3hNK1bdQERNYBh20LbTzKEUUPFsnQ/s599/R-2718514-1464469498-2436.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="599" data-original-width="594" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDb5Ove06gbU_urri2sCbvAl02-Nwlwcax7GvTh0L6t92fnYB8RM-8DDui_yenT2kaFh-gM0ezD32MBbJhq0XR4l3PPL9or9fOh13njRZ8_Zz1KwakCj1gseMZw_59A3hv_lswXVOsty6IGuRt1CeddkENagXHHI3hNK1bdQERNYBh20LbTzKEUUPFsnQ/s320/R-2718514-1464469498-2436.jpg" width="317" /></a></div><br />Here, as promised, is the companion piece to my <a href="https://fasterandlouderblog.blogspot.com/2024/03/my-ten-favorite-pop-punk-albums-of-21st.html">list</a> of my ten favorite pop-punk albums of the 21st century. Today I'm tackling the 20th century — which most people would consider the glory days of pop-punk. Putting together this list was a challenging task. For one thing, how does one define when pop-punk became a genre onto itself? If I had included first wave punk bands in this discussion, my entire list would have been the Ramones, Buzzcocks, Undertones, and Dickies. I also struggled with how to define pop-punk. Ultimately, I decided to define it fairly broadly. That may not sit well with the pop-punk purists or gatekeepers. But I'm not here to argue about what is or is not pop-punk. With a couple of these albums, I felt like it was questionable to include them — but that it would have been worse to <i>not</i> include them. I will reiterate that this is a list of my ten <i>favorite</i> pop-punk albums of the 20th century — not the ten best or ten most influential or ten most important. It's interesting that all these albums came out in my 20s, and four of them came out in the same calendar year. So clearly my selections were influenced by nostalgia. I'd like to thank Mark for inspiring me to take this trip down memory lane so I could be reminded of how much I love this music. On with it! <div><br /></div><div><b>10. Moral Crux - <a href="https://moralcrux.bandcamp.com/album/i-was-a-teenage-teenager"><i>I Was a Teenage Teenager</i></a> (1994) </b></div><div>Moral Crux, like Boris the Sprinkler, was a crucial influence in my evolution from pop-punk kid to '77-style punk rock fanatic. All of this band's albums are great, so be sure to explore the full catalog over at <a href="https://moralcrux.bandcamp.com/">Bandcamp</a> if you're unfamiliar with Moral Crux. <br /><iframe seamless="" src="https://bandcamp.com/EmbeddedPlayer/album=2753168258/size=small/bgcol=ffffff/linkcol=0687f5/track=1174082621/transparent=true/" style="border: 0; height: 42px; width: 100%;"><a href="https://moralcrux.bandcamp.com/album/i-was-a-teenage-teenager">I Was A Teenage Teenager by Moral Crux</a></iframe><br /><p></p><div style="text-align: left;"><b>9. Screeching Weasel - <a href="https://screechingweasel.bandcamp.com/album/anthem-for-a-new-tomorrow-30th-anniversary-re-mix-and-remaster"><i>Anthem for a New Tomorrow</i></a> (1993)</b></div><div style="text-align: left;">Screeching Weasel has several albums that were instrumental in my pop-punk education. That whole run from <i>My Brain Hurts</i> through <i>How To Make Enemies And Irritate People</i> is bulletproof. <i>Anthem for a New Tomorrow</i> is the one I've listened to the most — by far.<br /><iframe seamless="" src="https://bandcamp.com/EmbeddedPlayer/album=3247242255/size=small/bgcol=ffffff/linkcol=0687f5/track=426302092/transparent=true/" style="border: 0; height: 42px; width: 100%;"><a href="https://screechingweasel.bandcamp.com/album/anthem-for-a-new-tomorrow-30th-anniversary-re-mix-and-remaster">Anthem For A New Tomorrow (30th Anniversary Re-mix and Remaster) by Screeching Weasel</a></iframe></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>8. Boris the Sprinkler - <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aAS3GmoVUyU&list=OLAK5uy_nPHJUjziLO5rOBkv7QAXiPK7JcNk87WLY"><i>Saucer to Saturn</i></a> (1995)</b></div><div style="text-align: left;">Any time I reflect on punk rock and the '90s, I think about how underrated Boris the Sprinkler's catalog is. The spectacle of this band's live show and the geek chic cleverness of its lyrics might have gotten all of the attention, but musically BtS epitomized everything that was great about poppy classic punk. <i>Saucer to Saturn</i> was the band's finest hour.<br /><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/9l0DU0ZphCA?si=8PPqZi5tRL959-SO" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>7. The Lillingtons -<i> <a href="https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_kC_pDyv_gXjR7DO-LA1Vl3zC8tZTrkzp4">Shit Out of Luck</a></i> (1997) <br /></b>Certainly The Lillingtons became a more original and interesting band as they matured. But for me, nothing beats their early, more classically pop-punk stuff. Sing it with me: "LI! LL! ING! TON!"<br /><iframe seamless="" src="https://bandcamp.com/EmbeddedPlayer/album=3561657679/size=small/bgcol=ffffff/linkcol=0687f5/track=883508793/transparent=true/" style="border: 0; height: 42px; width: 100%;"><a href="https://thelillingtons.bandcamp.com/album/shit-out-of-luck">Shit out of Luck by The Lillingtons</a></iframe></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>6. Beatnik Termites - <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ugOoJ-vb9xk&list=OLAK5uy_lWmt_5woxR9K8D34IaKZPS40vkOKfM1EY"><i>Taste the Sand</i></a> (1995) </b></div><div style="text-align: left;">I've always had a soft spot for pop-punk of the bubblegum variety. Throw in some surf and oldies radio influences, and you've got yourself a classic in <i>Taste the Sand</i>.<br /><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/P9xOIFGCnTU?si=vl3gkg2ZG_1QlFfb" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>5. Green Day -<i> Dookie</i> (1994)</b></div><div style="text-align: left;">You may have heard of this band. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>4. The Automatics (USA) - <a href="https://automatics.bandcamp.com/album/the-automatics">self titled</a> (1996) </b></div><div style="text-align: left;">Now here was a band that was ahead of its time. Today, the idea of fast, snotty, yet really poppy punk rock with bargain basement production is nothing new. But there was nothing else like The Automatics in the mid-'90s. These guys played fast and raw, yet their songs were brilliantly-crafted and laden with harmonies. The Automatics remain the greatest '90s punk band that nobody talks about.<br /><iframe seamless="" src="https://bandcamp.com/EmbeddedPlayer/album=319528319/size=small/bgcol=ffffff/linkcol=0687f5/track=679822590/transparent=true/" style="border: 0; height: 42px; width: 100%;"><a href="https://automatics.bandcamp.com/album/the-automatics">The Automatics by The Automatics (U.S.A.)</a></iframe></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>3. The Queers - <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vVwnJfeFoRw&list=OLAK5uy_kCfSLHDarctYikgF80UqaSJQfn5A3E8JU"><i>Love Songs for the Retarded</i> </a> (1993) <br /></b>This album did not invent pop-punk, but it perfected the formula to the point where it could never be topped — not even by the band that made it.<br /><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/yLqffnXGDik?si=-QOCr9WiloUWfi_m" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>2. Parasites - <a href="https://theparasitesofficial.bandcamp.com/album/punch-lines"><i>Punch Lines</i></a> (1993) <br /></b>For so many years, I swore that <i>Pair </i>was the better Parasites album. Then I grew up, cleaned out my ears, and recognized a masterpiece. "Crazy" is one of the best songs ever written, and "Letdown" is an album closer of legendary proportions.<br /><iframe seamless="" src="https://bandcamp.com/EmbeddedPlayer/album=2491393396/size=small/bgcol=ffffff/linkcol=0687f5/track=2421802370/transparent=true/" style="border: 0; height: 42px; width: 100%;"><a href="https://theparasitesofficial.bandcamp.com/album/punch-lines">Punch Lines by Parasites</a></iframe></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>1. The Muffs - <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5_o41k0PA0s&list=OLAK5uy_nIvP4dGotfiE7mL89ncf0Jl_9v24XTgtA">self titled</a> (1993) <br /></b>When it comes to records that were life-changing for me, I put this one up there with the first three Ramones albums. I know this is a favorites list and not a "most influential" list. But I can't even begin to calculate how much great music now exists because someone heard The Muffs. The greatest scream in rock 'n' roll! <br /><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>Honorable Mentions </b></div><div style="text-align: left;">Mr. T. Experience - every single album! <br />BUM - <a href="https://bummusic2.bandcamp.com/album/wanna-smash-sensation"><i>Wanna Smash Sensation</i></a> (1993)<br />Sicko - <a href="https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_mEyySrSrpCSXIbbqKxbH6sTYkXmcQhvUU"><i>You Can Feel the Love in This Room</i></a> (1994)<br />Buck -<i> </i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wzfy1zmxxR0&list=OLAK5uy_nnc1Qwj38SvQCqskiMudmPBMJdY9tOpjg">self titled</a><i> </i>(1998) <br />The Queers - <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pmVaa1dycVY&list=OLAK5uy_lohmIJ6bY-_43lwIl5lGz_nBZxqtsqzRg"><i>Don't Back Down</i></a> (1996)<br />Decendents - <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aCIr2O680Tg&list=OLAK5uy_nDapvP0ZAaXgCU_UjAqR-jS4r9oZ029WU" rel="nofollow"><i>I Don't Want To Grow Up</i></a> (1985) <br />Chixdiggit - <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mf7PDFXpehY&list=OLAK5uy_kIImTg9KdL-L16_ByHgaUv-NOsnqnTAi4">self titled</a> (1996) <br />Dirt Bike Annie - <a href="https://dirtbikeannie.bandcamp.com/album/hit-the-rock"><i>Hit the Rock!</i></a> (1999) </div><p>So tell me: What are <i>your</i> favorite pop-punk albums of the 20th century? </p><p><a href="mailto:fasterandlouderblog@gmail.com">-L.R. </a></p></div>Lord Rutledgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11808432134946889364noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4648868063318560725.post-9756042818065374062024-03-10T12:38:00.001-04:002024-03-10T12:38:20.286-04:00The Goodyear Wimps - Songs for Adult Children With Distortion<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR-q5IZlMA-47UAYunAQiveMR7ZCkHQuw-muNn94EMxAy21_dfsuiL8wJKou_VtVMRTGD92-1jWDVkked-VoYCzEtK7JoSmMFQY_CedsH3hqhPnbnbkpjQ9DZhYh-X7xmf2Zti8LD60YmxtOa9RPmLmzlZb6i1H-ADwll13VME5oz7Xbz0vc5qlNFhwXs/s1200/a3428292739_10.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1146" data-original-width="1200" height="306" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR-q5IZlMA-47UAYunAQiveMR7ZCkHQuw-muNn94EMxAy21_dfsuiL8wJKou_VtVMRTGD92-1jWDVkked-VoYCzEtK7JoSmMFQY_CedsH3hqhPnbnbkpjQ9DZhYh-X7xmf2Zti8LD60YmxtOa9RPmLmzlZb6i1H-ADwll13VME5oz7Xbz0vc5qlNFhwXs/s320/a3428292739_10.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />The Goodyear Wimps is a pretty hilarious band name, and <i>Songs for Adult Children With Distortion</i> (misplaced modifier intended?) is a pretty hilarious album title. This band from Boise plays super-catchy pop-punk that sometimes leans towards power pop. You may know the singer Brent V from his other band The Brents. Over these six tracks, Brent V shows a terrific sense of humor. But even though he doesn't take himself too seriously, he's an excellent songwriter with a real flair for tuneful melodies and earworm hooks. A lot of these lyrics made me laugh out loud, but it's the quality of the songwriting that keeps bringing me back for more. "Sunday Morning" sounds like what would happen if Weezer played pop-punk, and I am here for it! If this is what "hacksaw power pop" sounds like, count me in. A very promising debut from the mighty Mountain West! <p><iframe seamless="" src="https://bandcamp.com/EmbeddedPlayer/album=1044101203/size=small/bgcol=ffffff/linkcol=0687f5/track=4129844154/transparent=true/" style="border: 0; height: 42px; width: 100%;"><a href="https://thegoodyearwimps.bandcamp.com/album/songs-for-adult-children-with-distortion">Songs for Adult Children With Distortion by The Goodyear Wimps</a></iframe><iframe seamless="" src="https://bandcamp.com/EmbeddedPlayer/album=1044101203/size=small/bgcol=ffffff/linkcol=0687f5/track=2812601973/transparent=true/" style="border: 0; height: 42px; width: 100%;"><a href="https://thegoodyearwimps.bandcamp.com/album/songs-for-adult-children-with-distortion">Songs for Adult Children With Distortion by The Goodyear Wimps</a></iframe></p><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="mailto:fasterandlouderblog@gmail.com">-L.R.</a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="mailto:fasterandlouderblog@gmail.com"><br /></a><a href="https://thegoodyearwimps.bandcamp.com/album/songs-for-adult-children-with-distortion">https://thegoodyearwimps.bandcamp.com/album/songs-for-adult-children-with-distortion<br /></a><a href="https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100087644305600">https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100087644305600</a></div>Lord Rutledgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11808432134946889364noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4648868063318560725.post-35797724625362173882024-03-10T12:24:00.004-04:002024-03-10T12:24:59.165-04:00Bart and the Brats - Can't Think Straight<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_sytneHbVmFxw52JbXqXix7ZlD1E2uSSM0roXW6B4c_dtpTs-9gYFDenQxmtGFS1_-Ihrl9unazzfJqEDfXAr-RgQJTmqAlV2Ki2oUI2pTtmgc6zQ5Da8K8OQFcFkuduP-EuQesx-l1hV28qXGeSS2alNt4biAiAy5sbFrtMgppB2LziLoFBIxJTFREQ/s1200/a2032009141_10.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1169" data-original-width="1200" height="312" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_sytneHbVmFxw52JbXqXix7ZlD1E2uSSM0roXW6B4c_dtpTs-9gYFDenQxmtGFS1_-Ihrl9unazzfJqEDfXAr-RgQJTmqAlV2Ki2oUI2pTtmgc6zQ5Da8K8OQFcFkuduP-EuQesx-l1hV28qXGeSS2alNt4biAiAy5sbFrtMgppB2LziLoFBIxJTFREQ/s320/a2032009141_10.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />Perhaps the only thing in life as dependable as death & taxes are Bart and the Brats, who return with another superb release of '77-style punk rock stripped to its bare bones. Still fresh off a third LP and a killer split with Battlebeats, Bart hit the studio with Lo' Spider in Toulouse this past fall and knocked out <i>Can't Think Straight</i> — out now on 7" record on the labels Juvenile Delinquent and Take The City Records. Bart isn't messing with the recipe one bit, and why would he? These two-minute, three-chord bangers bring to mind the Ramones in first album form and UK counterparts such as The Lurkers and Vibrators. Bart's vocal style is immediately recognizable, and his ability to churn out simple, thumping punk tunes of the highest quality is hard to beat. Put any of these songs on a compilation of 1977 punk tracks, and they won't sound out of place! <p><iframe seamless="" src="https://bandcamp.com/EmbeddedPlayer/album=2415759809/size=small/bgcol=ffffff/linkcol=0687f5/track=1566436143/transparent=true/" style="border: 0; height: 42px; width: 100%;"><a href="https://bartandthebrats.bandcamp.com/album/cant-think-straight-7-juvenile-delinquent-take-the-city-records-2024">Can't think straight 7" - Juvenile Delinquent / Take The City Records 2024 by Bart and the Brats</a></iframe></p><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="mailto:fasterandlouderblog@gmail.com">-L.R. </a> </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /><a href="https://bartandthebrats.bandcamp.com/album/cant-think-straight-7-juvenile-delinquent-take-the-city-records-2024">https://bartandthebrats.bandcamp.com/album/cant-think-straight-7-juvenile-delinquent-take-the-city-records-2024<br /></a><a href="https://takethecityrecords.bandcamp.com/album/can-t-think-straight-ep">https://takethecityrecords.bandcamp.com/album/can-t-think-straight-ep<br /></a><a href="https://juveniledelinquent.bandcamp.com/album/jd027-bart-and-the-brats-cant-think-straight-ep">https://juveniledelinquent.bandcamp.com/album/jd027-bart-and-the-brats-cant-think-straight-ep<br /></a><a href="https://www.facebook.com/bartandthebrats">https://www.facebook.com/bartandthebrats<br /></a><a href="https://www.instagram.com/bartandthebrats/">https://www.instagram.com/bartandthebrats/</a></div><p></p>Lord Rutledgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11808432134946889364noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4648868063318560725.post-42428920962333557612024-03-09T17:41:00.005-05:002024-03-09T17:42:22.557-05:00Hoaxxers - "Thought That You Should Know"<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5_Ryjsc7BRx5zNes8n41bF6IPirbDuMeWHGRnLAjbARzur4PTv0neURSdT3O99WtF_FK-xvKtkqC4AK0hyITSNG8EBJFKQe5BiA6us-BMv1RNC4RqXOGzsXatFM_HROQJim07SyP11pKaKE4QgR8SQJiwJNo39i_UWCmBvunc1Yo_PWn9EKd5ghldZYc/s1200/a1217056867_10.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5_Ryjsc7BRx5zNes8n41bF6IPirbDuMeWHGRnLAjbARzur4PTv0neURSdT3O99WtF_FK-xvKtkqC4AK0hyITSNG8EBJFKQe5BiA6us-BMv1RNC4RqXOGzsXatFM_HROQJim07SyP11pKaKE4QgR8SQJiwJNo39i_UWCmBvunc1Yo_PWn9EKd5ghldZYc/s320/a1217056867_10.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />Here's some more excitement in the Mom's Basement Records department: Hoaxxers are releasing their (sort of) debut 7" on the label very soon. I say "sort of" because Hoaxxers look and sound suspiciously like Charlie, Kye, and Tron from Joe Jitsu, a really terrific pop-punk band from the 2000s. I had to look up when I first reviewed Joe Jitsu, and it was twenty years ago! Man, does time fly! But this is a new band for a new time, with a sound that's maybe a little more, uh, <i>punkier</i>? In advance of the 7", the band has released one of the tracks, "Thought That You Should Know," as a digital single. The punkier sensibility manifests itself mostly in a peppier tempo, but otherwise this is not far removed at all from Joe Jitsu. And that's a good thing. Charlie's voice is as smooth as silk, and the song bursts with energy and melody in that old school '90s style. For not having played together for a while, these three sound tight as heck! "Thought That You Should Know" is a free download from Bandcamp, so be sure to grab it if you're a fan of Joe Jitsu or good pop-punk in general. If Mom's Basement is putting it out, you know it's gotta be good! <p><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/vVb3PwskdAw?si=o6m8fJOPVEzD-YEc" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe></p><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="mailto:fasterandlouderblog@gmail.com">-L.R.</a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="mailto:fasterandlouderblog@gmail.com"><br /></a><a href="https://hoaxxers.bandcamp.com/album/thought-that-you-should-know">https://hoaxxers.bandcamp.com/album/thought-that-you-should-know<br /></a><a href="https://open.spotify.com/album/71AIUoZx9eiZWKIfQ8l3jz">https://open.spotify.com/album/71AIUoZx9eiZWKIfQ8l3jz<br /></a><a href="https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100072073354583">https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100072073354583</a></div>Lord Rutledgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11808432134946889364noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4648868063318560725.post-4055389861265284122024-03-09T11:00:00.004-05:002024-03-09T11:02:38.811-05:00Tidal Bores - demo<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzFRCuEeBQC6qExM42LC1PZPK-wVbmZW47PcbkIf-bdzN41WkUa26ywrUpgb1e4C4mx_C44-7BokC5pg2jYKDEbjU1iN0ymDZH0cL5A-6rqmLrmsw9Ng8dUN8ZRHUH5m3OErBxfDCNfMjXoFFvCRVs1MLOpLvVviMYjvgHdmWAPDH5jPkOaVAc8QitgDQ/s1200/a0248544322_10.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzFRCuEeBQC6qExM42LC1PZPK-wVbmZW47PcbkIf-bdzN41WkUa26ywrUpgb1e4C4mx_C44-7BokC5pg2jYKDEbjU1iN0ymDZH0cL5A-6rqmLrmsw9Ng8dUN8ZRHUH5m3OErBxfDCNfMjXoFFvCRVs1MLOpLvVviMYjvgHdmWAPDH5jPkOaVAc8QitgDQ/s320/a0248544322_10.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />I know a lot of us have been waiting for this one for a while, and here it is: the first publicly-released recordings from Moncton's newest garage punk sensations the Tidal Bores! I did my best not to break down and cry when Phone Jerks split — figuring that some former Phone Jerks would start new projects and that the awesomeness would ultimately be multiplied. It's looking like I called that right with all the amazing TJ Cabot releases I've enjoyed in recent years. And now the world can be introduced to the Tidal Bores — a group featuring members of Phone Jerks, Impulse Items, Whore Gasms, Small Package, Adhesives, and Valentine Killers. Brian LaManna is on lead vocals. If you know his musical influences, you will have a good idea of what to expect from the Tidal Bores. What I like about this demo from Tidal Bores is that it really <i>is</i> a demo. These tracks are live off the floor. The band isn't throwing the songs online and calling it an EP. This is the kind of thing that used to come out on cassette tape back in the day: a band's raw first recordings that hint at its potential but aren't necessarily meant to represent a finished product. And now thanks to the magic of technology, a demo tape can be digital — which means more people can hear it, and less money is spent on postage. With this little taste of Tidal Bores, we get a feel for what the band is all about. These songs rip hard, walking the fine line between 1981 hardcore and Pagans-style OG budget punk. "Zero Hour" is the only original track. "Civilization's Dying" is a cover of the Zero Boys classic. "Methanol" is a re-working of a song Brian co-wrote when he was in the Valentine Killers back in the late 20th century. Put together, these songs sure fit the tenor of the times. If someone had handed me a tape like this back in the day, and I had gone home and pressed play, I would have gone nuts. And now here we all are, getting in on the ground floor with the Tidal Bores together. I'm looking forward to a proper EP!<p><iframe seamless="" src="https://bandcamp.com/EmbeddedPlayer/album=3116009228/size=small/bgcol=ffffff/linkcol=0687f5/track=1981500247/transparent=true/" style="border: 0; height: 42px; width: 100%;"><a href="https://tidalbores.bandcamp.com/album/demo">Demo by Tidal Bores</a></iframe><br /></p><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="mailto:fasterandlouderblog@gmail.com">-L.R.</a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="mailto:fasterandlouderblog@gmail.com"><br /></a><a href="https://tidalbores.bandcamp.com/album/demo">https://tidalbores.bandcamp.com/album/demo<br /></a><a href="https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100092916728442">https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100092916728442<br /></a><a href="https://www.instagram.com/tidal.bores">https://www.instagram.com/tidal.bores</a></div>Lord Rutledgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11808432134946889364noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4648868063318560725.post-78805343892658905872024-03-09T09:53:00.004-05:002024-03-09T10:01:36.862-05:00The Reflectors - "All the Way Down" <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyoqjJ2_pxt_us33hP0LgCu4LZueGzKYS7gvGhFbU7_djkF8m7DR_wizIzD7ZWTfbNj_ei5X0M7-4CEcda3EDus18npeNHZTRIbmZ9ikhSgP2PpCqNQ8OCY6jWInyUzoh8a9DoTBrp6yGOMulENyY8mjyP8ob4VhGrp2f_HU8AOnMXgVy0AIK44Se3S7U/s2048/428704804_17987431466630371_5988770657383127424_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyoqjJ2_pxt_us33hP0LgCu4LZueGzKYS7gvGhFbU7_djkF8m7DR_wizIzD7ZWTfbNj_ei5X0M7-4CEcda3EDus18npeNHZTRIbmZ9ikhSgP2PpCqNQ8OCY6jWInyUzoh8a9DoTBrp6yGOMulENyY8mjyP8ob4VhGrp2f_HU8AOnMXgVy0AIK44Se3S7U/s320/428704804_17987431466630371_5988770657383127424_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />Now this was a killer surprise! I was scrolling through social media last night and discovered that one of my favorite bands had just dropped a brand-new single that I didn't even know was coming out. And it's a teaser for a full-length album releasing next month! The Reflectors are, in my book, one of the two or three best power pop bands going. They've released two totally fantastic albums, and a third LP called <i>Going Out of Fashion</i> is soon forthcoming on Neon Nile. In advance of the album, the new single "All the Way Down" gives us a little taste of what's to come. This is the first new music from The Reflectors in two-and-a-half years, and it does not disappoint. This, my friends, is a little piece of power pop bliss. I can't stop playing this tune, and I bet you won't be able to either. Enjoy and stay tuned!<p><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/PKDzEvqKrMg?si=Ly4XWeSVNrY9XR0c" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe></p><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="mailto:fasterandlouderblog@gmail.com">-L.R.</a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="mailto:fasterandlouderblog@gmail.com"><br /></a><a href="https://open.spotify.com/album/329XrM4WU9kj1pPP3lAZcC">https://open.spotify.com/album/329XrM4WU9kj1pPP3lAZcC<br /></a><a href="https://reflectors.bandcamp.com/">https://reflectors.bandcamp.com/<br /></a><a href="https://www.instagram.com/the_reflectors/">https://www.instagram.com/the_reflectors/<br /></a><a href="https://thereflectorscom.wordpress.com/">https://thereflectorscom.wordpress.com/<br /></a><a href="https://www.facebook.com/thereflectorslosangeles">https://www.facebook.com/thereflectorslosangeles</a><a href="https://www.facebook.com/NeonNileOfficial">https://www.facebook.com/NeonNileOfficial</a><a href="https://neonnile.com/">https://neonnile.com/</a></div><div><a href="mailto:fasterandlouderblog@gmail.com"></a></div><p></p>Lord Rutledgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11808432134946889364noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4648868063318560725.post-66965536918007568722024-03-08T13:03:00.002-05:002024-03-08T13:12:54.203-05:00Classic Pat - Won't Back Down <div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPDqiqPBv_Hwga4gi1RYpp9-Gxk7mGOAehr6Q3de7suE2daqdHPLuxFfxW0IhnuYFD65skRgiO2f4TtMf2heDWgcE2GLBacwJe-HQJYq5msuL7QY9nvPUpESJKM6mDMWTfw-8WwjcBtbdFaQKNyk4XQwAKD1i9V-AizJnyMXztbU2_2A3rSVtbh0rQOus/s720/431526011_727334896046976_1118888589468529842_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="718" data-original-width="720" height="319" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPDqiqPBv_Hwga4gi1RYpp9-Gxk7mGOAehr6Q3de7suE2daqdHPLuxFfxW0IhnuYFD65skRgiO2f4TtMf2heDWgcE2GLBacwJe-HQJYq5msuL7QY9nvPUpESJKM6mDMWTfw-8WwjcBtbdFaQKNyk4XQwAKD1i9V-AizJnyMXztbU2_2A3rSVtbh0rQOus/s320/431526011_727334896046976_1118888589468529842_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />I am not a believer in diminishing the value of art by assigning it a numerical rating. But if I <i>were</i>, I would award Classic Pat's new album <i>Won't Back Down</i> a ten out of ten. If you love pop-punk, you will love this album and should run through a brick wall if necessary to acquire it. That should be the end of this review, but it would be out of character for me to be that succinct. </div><div><br /></div><div>Almost anyone who has bothered to read this far will be familiar with Classic Pat and the many great bands he has played in. With <i>Won't Back Down </i>(out today on Mom's Basement Records), he has delivered a royal treat for eternal fans of Lookout! Records inspired pop-punk. This is a particular genre with which I have a very complicated relationship. 70% of the time, I'm pretty "Meh!" about it. But the rest of the time, there's no music in the world I'd rather listen to. <i>Won't Back Down</i> is obviously in the latter category. On the first day of this year, I described "Sadie Hawkins Dance" as "one of the greatest pop-punk songs ever written." You may have suspected that I wrote those words under the influence of recency bias, temporary insanity, or a bad hangover, but now it's nine weeks later, and my opinion hasn't changed. When I reflect on why some pop-punk hits the spot for me and some of it doesn't, I can identify several qualities that tend to win me over:</div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>I enjoy a likeable singer and funny, relatable lyrics. </li><li>I like to hear the influence of classic pop and rock 'n' roll.</li><li>I prefer a little variety over the course of an album. </li><li>The poppier the better!</li><li>I'll take catchy songs over new ideas any day of the week.</li></ul></div><div><br /></div><div>Let me tell you: if that's my rubric, <i>Won't Back Down</i> checks off every single box! Emulating the old school Lookout! sound without coming off like a cheap knockoff is a tricky task, but Classic Pat totally pulls it off. And the secret is that there's really no secret. It's all about writing perfect three-chord punk songs with earworm hooks. If "Seeing Triple" were any catchier, the CDC would be raiding the Mom's Basement headquarters at this very moment. "She Don't Care" is basically the best Screeching Weasel song in decades. "The Next In Line" is bubblegum perfection a la The Queers circa <i>Don't Back Down</i>. "No Telling At All" (featuring Canaan from Barbariettes on lead vocals) hits the pure pop side of the Ramones bang-on. Clearly Pat is transparent about his biggest influences. But rather than making me wish I were listening to the Ramones, Queers, or Screeching Weasel instead, <i>Won't Back Down</i> has reignited my love for pop-punk. And these songs are just so much <i>fun</i>. Over the course of the album, Pat reflects on the strain that responsible adulthood can place on friendships, waxes poetic on girlfriends who are awful and sometimes outright scary, romanticizes the golden age of rock 'n' roll, pays tribute to the cinematic classic <i>Mallrats</i>, and recounts an obviously true story about having to choose between dancing with a pretty girl and making it to the opening night screening of <i>Demolition Man </i>with some best buds. Now that's what I call relatable music! </div><div><br /></div><div>With song styles ranging from snotty ("Creeped Out") to super-poppy ("Trend Setter") to oldies-influenced ("Do You Remember," "Goin' Nowhere") to classically pop-punk ("He's a Daddy Now"), <i>Won't Back Down</i> has something for every fan of pop-punk. Sometimes with a really good pop-punk album, I talk about how I would have totally flipped out if I'd heard it when I was 25. But <i>Won't Back Down</i> has me flipping out <i>now. </i>CDs are limited to 100 copies and <a href="https://momsbasementrecords.bigcartel.com/product/classic-pat-won-t-back-down-cd">available</a> now from the Mom's Basement webstore. While you're over there, you can <a href="https://momsbasementrecords.bigcartel.com/product/preorder-the-yum-yums-poppin-up-again-lp">pre-order</a> the vinyl for the new Yum Yums album (which is freaking <i>awesome</i>!) coming out next month on Screaming Apple Records! <p><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/L0GiH4P6gYg?si=5z29RSpd8eH2HQmF" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/L0d_1RCHzho?si=9fa8XCjTuPom3foQ" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe></p></div><div><a href="mailto:fasterandlouderblog@gmail.com">-L.R. </a><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://classicpat.bandcamp.com/album/wont-back-down">https://classicpat.bandcamp.com/album/wont-back-down</a><br /></div><div><a href="https://momsbasementrecords.bigcartel.com/product/classic-pat-won-t-back-down-cd">https://momsbasementrecords.bigcartel.com/product/classic-pat-won-t-back-down-cd</a><br /></div><div><a href="https://open.spotify.com/album/5Rou70HsbnwyJLiUswVeHN">https://open.spotify.com/album/5Rou70HsbnwyJLiUswVeHN</a><br /></div><div><a href="https://www.instagram.com/momsbasementrecords/">https://www.instagram.com/momsbasementrecords/</a><br /></div><div><a href="https://www.facebook.com/MomsBasementRecords/">https://www.facebook.com/MomsBasementRecords/</a><br /></div>Lord Rutledgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11808432134946889364noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4648868063318560725.post-58570420342201029092024-03-08T09:01:00.006-05:002024-03-08T09:02:59.833-05:00Friends of Cesar Romero - "More Like Norman Fucking Mailer"<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivfhUl0yPZEFn4BX6S0Q78SQwFx8_kGM1kbA1XgQyPadZtL13lvf3qIqHyks-E_CgmWwRoNAb5p3QG8RZJUcD6qgEPOtwkBYJHWJVzY9iDv9XtDtfrarYOya7pPEtE_ut1LpYDyk7gAzGB8TwvSbZz2y33kugO2pbhIEdzfsETvGrIu9vkcK-NOgslHoY/s1200/a2075236933_10.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivfhUl0yPZEFn4BX6S0Q78SQwFx8_kGM1kbA1XgQyPadZtL13lvf3qIqHyks-E_CgmWwRoNAb5p3QG8RZJUcD6qgEPOtwkBYJHWJVzY9iDv9XtDtfrarYOya7pPEtE_ut1LpYDyk7gAzGB8TwvSbZz2y33kugO2pbhIEdzfsETvGrIu9vkcK-NOgslHoY/s320/a2075236933_10.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />"More Like Norman Fucking Mailer" is the first 2024 release (of likely many) from Friends of Cesar Romero. J. Waylon is that rare songwriter who can manage to be both prolific and consistent. There is no such thing as a sub-par Friends of Cesar Romero release. If you're into punky power pop, you need to smash that "Follow" button on Bandcamp so you never miss a new release from FOCR. That said, "More Like Norman Fucking Mailer," in my book, is one of the best songs J. Waylon has ever written. The title alone (which I assume to be a sly Lana Del Rey reference) is a work of brilliance, and thankfully the song lives up to it. On this release, J. Waylon leans towards power pop as much as he ever has. "More Like Norman Fucking Mailer" seems like a happy love song on its surface, but keep in mind that this <i>is</i> #41 in the Doomed Babe Series. Dig a little deeper, and you'll find signs of doom. This is a perfect power pop song, and little else needs to be said. On the virtual B-side, "I Believe In Her Science" is another top-notch power pop tune that's destined to become stuck in your head. This single is a tremendous showing from J. Waylon. His songwriting has never been stronger, and the sound quality he has elicited from a basement recording is beyond impressive. It's almost criminal that you can download something this good for free, but you will find many opportunities to wisely spend your money if you peruse the FOCR Bandcamp page!<p><iframe seamless="" src="https://bandcamp.com/EmbeddedPlayer/album=920242764/size=small/bgcol=ffffff/linkcol=0687f5/track=1603548131/transparent=true/" style="border: 0; height: 42px; width: 100%;"><a href="https://friendsofcesarromero.bandcamp.com/album/more-like-norman-fucking-mailer">More Like Norman Fucking Mailer by Friends of Cesar Romero</a></iframe></p><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="mailto:fasterandlouderblog@gmail.com">-L.R.</a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="mailto:fasterandlouderblog@gmail.com"><br /></a><a href="https://friendsofcesarromero.bandcamp.com/album/more-like-norman-fucking-mailer">https://friendsofcesarromero.bandcamp.com/album/more-like-norman-fucking-mailer<br /></a><a href="https://open.spotify.com/album/5xuiqeG07CnkwEzMcPaien">https://open.spotify.com/album/5xuiqeG07CnkwEzMcPaien<br /></a><a href="https://www.facebook.com/FriendsofCesarR/">https://www.facebook.com/FriendsofCesarR/</a></div>Lord Rutledgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11808432134946889364noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4648868063318560725.post-74464128744838522822024-03-08T08:16:00.004-05:002024-03-08T08:16:23.006-05:00The Shang Hi Los - "Op-Operator"<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYcsTwSkIErlQQqOdJTiYidIoMWcz6tMX-Sr06SoevIu1lcyMiFSfP6wuDecZIjC7xHQ1VEkGXGVgpXhLiJbgXjmP8g37qslmodwn1eyVuJm8Sr0ElOMA98JwFXhrioJk9W9HVZMz3m8mKUJmgqNaqqhrHP48j6Mcdwzc9_zh-IGPGKO4Tc469g8xuSwg/s1494/Shangs%20Operator%20Cover%20v2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1494" data-original-width="1485" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYcsTwSkIErlQQqOdJTiYidIoMWcz6tMX-Sr06SoevIu1lcyMiFSfP6wuDecZIjC7xHQ1VEkGXGVgpXhLiJbgXjmP8g37qslmodwn1eyVuJm8Sr0ElOMA98JwFXhrioJk9W9HVZMz3m8mKUJmgqNaqqhrHP48j6Mcdwzc9_zh-IGPGKO4Tc469g8xuSwg/s320/Shangs%20Operator%20Cover%20v2.jpg" width="318" /></a></div><br />Hey kids, are you ready for some perfect pop? The Shang Hi Los have been favorites of mine since releasing their first single in the fall of 2020. Last year's full-length release <i>Aces Eights & Heartbreaks</i> was one of my favorite albums of 2023 and could have passed for a greatest hits collection. It has been well over a year since we've heard new material from The Shang Hi Los, but the band is back with the first in a series of new singles on Rum Bar Records. Just in time for Daylight Saving, "Op-Operator" will spring you out of your winter blahs with its upbeat melodies and earworm chorus. There's just no denying that Dan Kopko and Jen D'Angora as songwriting collaborators and co-lead singers have something special going on. And the band, having added Chad Raleigh (The Rationales, Emily Grogan Band, etc.) on guitar, has never sounded better. "Op-Operator," with its blend of new wave synths and classic pop sensibilities, is a vintage Shang Hi Los number and a surefire indie smash hit. The song puts a clever twist on the "boy meets girl" theme. I've often pondered how vital communications can be when it comes to relationships, and this single's retro cover art drives that point home pretty well. The technology may have changed, but the significance of landing those digits has not. Now what happens <i>after</i> you land those digits is never fully certain! A music video directed by Joan Hathaway will premiere in a couple weeks and illustrate this song's story in quite an amusing way. For now, you can listen to "Op-Operator" and draw your own conclusions! More singles are in the works, and I'll drink to that. The Shang Hi Los: now with more guitars!<p><iframe seamless="" src="https://bandcamp.com/EmbeddedPlayer/track=282637284/size=small/bgcol=ffffff/linkcol=0687f5/transparent=true/" style="border: 0; height: 42px; width: 100%;"><a href="https://rumbarrecords.bandcamp.com/track/op-operator">Op-Operator by The Shang Hi Los</a></iframe></p><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="mailto:fasterandlouderblog@gmail.com">-L.R.</a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="mailto:fasterandlouderblog@gmail.com"><br /></a><a href="https://rumbarrecords.bandcamp.com/track/op-operator">https://rumbarrecords.bandcamp.com/track/op-operator<br /></a><a href="https://open.spotify.com/album/41QCg6rGrd91MlGxRJ1Uw7">https://open.spotify.com/album/41QCg6rGrd91MlGxRJ1Uw7<br /></a><a href="https://theshanghilos.bandcamp.com/">https://theshanghilos.bandcamp.com/<br /></a><a href="https://www.facebook.com/ShangHiLos">https://www.facebook.com/ShangHiLos<br /></a><a href="https://www.facebook.com/RumBarRecords">https://www.facebook.com/RumBarRecords</a></div><div><a href="mailto:fasterandlouderblog@gmail.com"></a></div><p></p>Lord Rutledgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11808432134946889364noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4648868063318560725.post-59262906750026954782024-03-06T07:05:00.000-05:002024-03-06T07:05:11.585-05:00Split System - Vol. 2<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmy9NtkJ3UMk4IE8Q1CVitBUYN_hpz0kHY-AOvPDCVy9OI8pEUI5pdSNPDGwAe9JSMegZ36l-E1oDsBzOZ5N67j_7Cz8kBrJFS1XtdOkUJ6Q_0O6x5yLaNSzFncq5ojIE4961gotUgzm_T8zV3mFeAX6zugs3bHG-5csPMUsyeOkVu8ukLKV7oRXhzhsI/s1200/a2644713462_10.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmy9NtkJ3UMk4IE8Q1CVitBUYN_hpz0kHY-AOvPDCVy9OI8pEUI5pdSNPDGwAe9JSMegZ36l-E1oDsBzOZ5N67j_7Cz8kBrJFS1XtdOkUJ6Q_0O6x5yLaNSzFncq5ojIE4961gotUgzm_T8zV3mFeAX6zugs3bHG-5csPMUsyeOkVu8ukLKV7oRXhzhsI/s320/a2644713462_10.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />It's wild to think that it's only early March, and we've already had a slew of absolutely <i>fantastic</i> punk rock albums unleashed in 2024. <i>Vol. 2</i>, Split System's second long player, is up there with the best of 'em. Co-released by Goner, Drunken Sailor, and Legless Records, this monster of an album manages to be a step up from Split System's first full-length, <i>Vol. 1</i>. And honestly, I wasn't sure these guys left themselves any room for improvement on <i>Vol. 1</i>. But sure enough, they've found another gear. <i>Vol. 2</i> blasts forth with 11 tracks of ferocious, hard-hitting, and uniquely Australian punk rock 'n' roll. Of course there's a lot of Saints in this band's musical DNA, which is combined with the fast and furious garage punk style the Aussies have been known for in recent years. Those riffs keep coming fast & hard, and as always, Jackson Reid Briggs shows himself to be one of the most passionate and powerful screamers in the punk universe. While a few tracks (such as "The Drain" and "Kill Me") find the band taking the foot off the gas pedal just a little, for the most part these songs aim to kick you in the teeth with full force. This is a general style that's been done thousands of times, but you'll rarely hear a band pull it off this spectacularly. If there were a how-to manual on capturing a raging guitar sound on record, these guys would be qualified to write it. And the songs, in addition to being positively crackling, are hook-laden and exceptionally well-crafted. This is one of those albums that will have you feeling unstoppable if you crank it up loud enough. And <i>unstoppable</i> seems to describe Split System as a band. In just a couple years, they've gone from an intriguing side project to legitimate contenders for the title of the greatest rock 'n' roll band in Australia. Vinyl copies of <i>Vol. 2</i> are selling like hotcakes, so you best not fool around!<p><iframe seamless="" src="https://bandcamp.com/EmbeddedPlayer/album=2601672083/size=small/bgcol=ffffff/linkcol=0687f5/track=2146655166/transparent=true/" style="border: 0; height: 42px; width: 100%;"><a href="https://splitsystem.bandcamp.com/album/vol-2">Vol.2 by split system</a></iframe><iframe seamless="" src="https://bandcamp.com/EmbeddedPlayer/album=2601672083/size=small/bgcol=ffffff/linkcol=0687f5/track=1424542592/transparent=true/" style="border: 0; height: 42px; width: 100%;"><a href="https://splitsystem.bandcamp.com/album/vol-2">Vol.2 by split system</a></iframe></p><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="mailto:fasterandlouderblog@gmail.com">-L.R.</a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="mailto:fasterandlouderblog@gmail.com"><br /> </a><a href="https://splitsystem.bandcamp.com/album/vol-2">https://splitsystem.bandcamp.com/album/vol-2<br /></a><a href="https://drunkensailorrecords.bandcamp.com/album/vol-ii-lp">https://drunkensailorrecords.bandcamp.com/album/vol-ii-lp<br /></a><a href="https://splitsystem.bandcamp.com/album/vol-2-us">https://splitsystem.bandcamp.com/album/vol-2-us<br /></a><a href="https://www.drunkensailorrecords.co.uk/products/750270-split-system-vol-ii-lp-drunken-sailor-records-drunkensailor-166">https://www.drunkensailorrecords.co.uk/products/750270-split-system-vol-ii-lp-drunken-sailor-records-drunkensailor-166<br /></a><a href="https://www.facebook.com/DrunkenSailorRecords">https://www.facebook.com/DrunkenSailorRecords<br /></a><a href="https://www.facebook.com/LeglessRecords">https://www.facebook.com/LeglessRecords<br /></a><a href="https://goner-records.com/products/split-system-vol-ii-lp-goner-drunken-sailor-legless-preorder?_pos=1&_sid=9d61b251f&_ss=r">https://goner-records.com/products/split-system-vol-ii-lp-goner-drunken-sailor-legless-preorder?_pos=1&_sid=9d61b251f&_ss=r<br /></a><a href="https://www.facebook.com/gonerrecords/">https://www.facebook.com/gonerrecords/</a></div><p></p>Lord Rutledgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11808432134946889364noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4648868063318560725.post-20142343699827641982024-03-03T15:09:00.006-05:002024-03-03T15:12:41.231-05:00Mala Vista - Fun Time <p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGprxjfNLhoXeDOKRH6HcciJlA9uLEZDVG0nOFbVIcSvzhxO52fWr4wi1_dBMenTmSdEdhvED9f-v5WPAOKi-t8YJxgLuyhXiIFp9Wi4DYh1N-ZkMYvhL89r4Vja4fI-Ag8QDGsZ610gXiuBNjbqin6xYpu-f685lsQfTU8yhHcQGCpji0TSODlNwTCws/s1200/a4226955768_10.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1193" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGprxjfNLhoXeDOKRH6HcciJlA9uLEZDVG0nOFbVIcSvzhxO52fWr4wi1_dBMenTmSdEdhvED9f-v5WPAOKi-t8YJxgLuyhXiIFp9Wi4DYh1N-ZkMYvhL89r4Vja4fI-Ag8QDGsZ610gXiuBNjbqin6xYpu-f685lsQfTU8yhHcQGCpji0TSODlNwTCws/s320/a4226955768_10.jpg" width="318" /></a></div><br />Hot damn, could this new Mala Vista album be any more up my alley? <i>Fun Time</i>, the New York City band's second long player, is a stone cold ripper of '77-style punk rock 'n' roll. As far back as 2019, I knew Mala Vista had tremendous potential. But five years later, the group has fully come into its own with killer chops, first-rate production, and fucking tremendous songwriting. These guys took all that potential and transformed it into the stuff of true greatness. Lean and mean at just nine tracks, <i>Fun Time</i> is chock full of single-worthy cuts. I appreciate that Mala Vista has the spirit of Johnny Thunders & The Heartbreakers, the Dead Boys, and Ramones without trying to copy those bands. Mala Vista has its own sound, and it's the sound of some of the most inspired punk rock that exists in America or anywhere else. "Juana La Cubana" sounds like the best Clash song in 40 years. If you like your punk music with raw energy, stellar hooks, and attitude for days, <i>Fun Time</i> is a must-buy. This album can absolutely hang with the classic records that inspired it. Spaghetty Town Records is owning 2024 so far! <div><p><iframe seamless="" src="https://bandcamp.com/EmbeddedPlayer/album=3074438482/size=small/bgcol=ffffff/linkcol=0687f5/track=525664608/transparent=true/" style="border: 0; height: 42px; width: 100%;"><a href="https://malavista.bandcamp.com/album/fun-time">Fun Time by MALA VISTA</a></iframe><iframe seamless="" src="https://bandcamp.com/EmbeddedPlayer/album=3074438482/size=small/bgcol=ffffff/linkcol=0687f5/track=1671899752/transparent=true/" style="border: 0; height: 42px; width: 100%;"><a href="https://malavista.bandcamp.com/album/fun-time">Fun Time by MALA VISTA</a></iframe></p><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="mailto:fasterandlouderblog@gmail.com">-L.R.</a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="mailto:fasterandlouderblog@gmail.com"><br /></a><a href="https://malavista.bandcamp.com/album/fun-time">https://malavista.bandcamp.com/album/fun-time<br /></a><a href="https://open.spotify.com/album/7wIcwZrZzXkozlt3xdZVGJ">https://open.spotify.com/album/7wIcwZrZzXkozlt3xdZVGJ<br /></a><a href="https://www.facebook.com/malavistanyc/">https://www.facebook.com/malavistanyc/<br /></a><a href="https://www.facebook.com/SpaghettyTown/">https://www.facebook.com/SpaghettyTown/<br /></a><a href="https://www.instagram.com/malavistanyc/">https://www.instagram.com/malavistanyc/<br /></a><a href="https://spaghettytownrecords.bigcartel.com/product/mala-vista-fun-time-vinyl">https://spaghettytownrecords.bigcartel.com/product/mala-vista-fun-time-vinyl<br /></a><a href="https://www.instagram.com/spaghettytownrecords/">https://www.instagram.com/spaghettytownrecords/</a></div></div>Lord Rutledgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11808432134946889364noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4648868063318560725.post-62089804997041305782024-03-03T11:17:00.003-05:002024-03-03T11:24:55.776-05:00My Ten Favorite Pop-Punk Albums of the 21st Century <p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_yJDfGhBG5GK-WyDtfJ-UHWcOGgaUglTf_ZkcrDmIuYSCJ3yi6_tzNfIrudwhyphenhyphenTWCi6bKv_w8xSILBIJ5PQk_MlZG8BX2AA-UorWFeXGjVifNnh9Qme-4m6P3oDXAuNk9-T3dJtsl486m54KKPYUTXJWPi9J45g2zhQfnNQ6g8xR9mP2ugsoQtWJGEUM/s600/R-1568820-1295113044.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="593" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_yJDfGhBG5GK-WyDtfJ-UHWcOGgaUglTf_ZkcrDmIuYSCJ3yi6_tzNfIrudwhyphenhyphenTWCi6bKv_w8xSILBIJ5PQk_MlZG8BX2AA-UorWFeXGjVifNnh9Qme-4m6P3oDXAuNk9-T3dJtsl486m54KKPYUTXJWPi9J45g2zhQfnNQ6g8xR9mP2ugsoQtWJGEUM/s320/R-1568820-1295113044.jpg" width="316" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS1mXRccwXhPtrhj7XZ6du8uQYz1j8k56pqxKvYqen_eMkvNXfa9jkRYBxM5KlFZgu8clJ-AYaZ32PGuXdQGV4bxx0ogpkPTZFsfvgCJtVp7MvePecJEOwvwMvwsX49BqkADPEa0II2UEZL95fDnD5EP7dRdIj6HokbitWH1vfouL5ZTArLsMVbjKCfzY/s600/R-2327538-1277202079.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="599" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS1mXRccwXhPtrhj7XZ6du8uQYz1j8k56pqxKvYqen_eMkvNXfa9jkRYBxM5KlFZgu8clJ-AYaZ32PGuXdQGV4bxx0ogpkPTZFsfvgCJtVp7MvePecJEOwvwMvwsX49BqkADPEa0II2UEZL95fDnD5EP7dRdIj6HokbitWH1vfouL5ZTArLsMVbjKCfzY/s320/R-2327538-1277202079.jpg" width="319" /></a></div><br />I'd like to thank Mark for requesting/suggesting/proposing that I follow up my <a href="https://fasterandlouderblog.blogspot.com/2024/02/my-ten-favorite-power-pop-albums-of.html">list</a> of my favorite power pop albums of the 21st century with lists of my favorite pop-punk albums from each century. Today we'll tackle<i> this</i> century. It has been great fun to dig back into the pop-punk albums I've liked the best over the past two-and-a-half decades. I don't write the quantity of pop-punk reviews that I used to, but there are still a lot of bands in this genre that I really love. It's hard to define when exactly pop-punk became a genre onto itself. I'd probably say mid-'80s, which puts us around four decades into it. And that puts the majority of pop-punk's history in this century. I could easily have gone twenty or thirty deep on this list. But for the sake of consistency, I'm keeping it to just ten with a few honorable mentions. My challenge is that I'm going from memory since I no longer have a physical music collection (Yeah, I'm one of <i>those </i>people!). So I apologize in advance for anything that I've overlooked or forgotten. Let's get to it! <p></p><div style="text-align: left;"><b>10. Parasites - <a href="https://theparasitesofficial.bandcamp.com/album/solitary"><i>Solitary</i></a> (2008)<br /></b>The greatness of Dave's '90s output often overshadows his more recent work. <i>Solitary</i> is a vintage effort from what is probably my favorite pop-punk band of all-time.<br /><iframe seamless="" src="https://bandcamp.com/EmbeddedPlayer/album=4029458981/size=small/bgcol=ffffff/linkcol=0687f5/track=2529304365/transparent=true/" style="border: 0; height: 42px; width: 100%;"><a href="https://theparasitesofficial.bandcamp.com/album/solitary">Solitary by Parasites</a></iframe></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>9. The Putz -<i> <a href="https://theputz.bandcamp.com/album/clinically-inane">Clinically Inane</a></i> (2017) <br /></b>I could have picked any Putz album for this spot, but <i>Clinically Inane </i>has the slight edge over the others. When it comes to modern bands that have taken that classic Lookout! Records sound and kept it going strong into this century, The Putz is hard to beat.<br /><iframe seamless="" src="https://bandcamp.com/EmbeddedPlayer/album=1534689076/size=small/bgcol=ffffff/linkcol=0687f5/track=3410207536/transparent=true/" style="border: 0; height: 42px; width: 100%;"><a href="https://theputz.bandcamp.com/album/clinically-inane">Clinically Inane by The Putz</a></iframe></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>8. Jagger Holly - <a href="https://outloudrecords.bandcamp.com/album/the-last-of-the-international-playboys"><i>The Last of the International Playboys</i></a> (2018) <br /></b>I would argue that while the '90s was the heyday for pop-punk, there have been numerous '90s-inspired pop-punk records in recent years that can stand toe-to-toe with the best of the albums they emulated. This is one of them.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><iframe seamless="" src="https://bandcamp.com/EmbeddedPlayer/album=4068148260/size=small/bgcol=ffffff/linkcol=0687f5/track=594496315/transparent=true/" style="border: 0; height: 42px; width: 100%;"><a href="https://outloudrecords.bandcamp.com/album/the-last-of-the-international-playboys">The Last Of The International Playboys by JAGGER HOLLY</a></iframe></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>7. The Bat Bites - <a href="https://thebatbites.bandcamp.com/album/the-bat-bites">self titled</a> (2014) <br /></b>Duuuuude! How underrated is this album?! This was the first and only long player from Rotterdam's The Bat Bites, who featured several star players from the modern-day Euro pop-punk scene. If you don't own this album, you need to buy it ASAP! </div><div style="text-align: left;"><iframe seamless="" src="https://bandcamp.com/EmbeddedPlayer/album=3526768704/size=small/bgcol=ffffff/linkcol=0687f5/track=3586898540/transparent=true/" style="border: 0; height: 42px; width: 100%;"><a href="https://thebatbites.bandcamp.com/album/the-bat-bites">The Bat Bites by The Bat Bites</a></iframe></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>6. The Tattle Tales - <a href="https://thetattletales.bandcamp.com/album/hearts-in-tune"><i>Hearts in Tune</i></a> (2006)<br /></b>It can be weird with albums that helped get you through awful times in your life. The autobiographical significance is undeniable. But does the music still hold up when you listen to the album years later? In the case of <i>Hearts in Tune</i>, the answer is an unequivocal <i>yes</i>! What I loved about The Tattle Tales is that they were a pop-punk band that was first and foremost a great pop band. Christian is still making extraordinary music with <a href="https://igotthefeels.bandcamp.com/album/twice-no-age-at-all">The Feels</a>.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><iframe seamless="" src="https://bandcamp.com/EmbeddedPlayer/album=675314117/size=small/bgcol=ffffff/linkcol=0687f5/track=3681069539/transparent=true/" style="border: 0; height: 42px; width: 100%;"><a href="https://thetattletales.bandcamp.com/album/hearts-in-tune">Hearts In Tune by The Tattle tales</a></iframe></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><br /></b><b>5. The Sensibles - <a href="https://thesensibles666.bandcamp.com/album/a-bunch-of-animals-rijapov-records-2013"><i>A Bunch of Animals</i> </a> (2013) <br /></b>From Milano, Italy, The Sensibles were a super-underrated 2010s band that released some of the decade's finest pop-punk singles (which were compiled into last year's wonderful retrospective <a href="https://thesensibles666.bandcamp.com/album/dino-nuggets"><i>Dino Nuggets</i></a>). They also released a fantastic album called <i>A Bunch of Animals</i> on Rijapov Records. I originally likened this album to a "giant, one-ounce straw of Pixy Stix chased with a double shot of Espresso," and I would still order that concoction today. This record is everything pop-punk ought to be: joyful and ultra-energetic, with songs that blend child-like innocence and full-grown tenderness. It remains a ten out of ten release in my book. <br /><iframe seamless="" src="https://bandcamp.com/EmbeddedPlayer/album=4288268324/size=small/bgcol=ffffff/linkcol=0687f5/track=249283170/transparent=true/" style="border: 0; height: 42px; width: 100%;"><a href="https://thesensibles666.bandcamp.com/album/a-bunch-of-animals-rijapov-records-2013">A bunch of animals - [Rijapov Records - 2013] by The Sensibles</a></iframe></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>4. The Unlovables - <a href="https://theunlovables.bandcamp.com/album/crush-boyfriend-heartbreak"><i>Crush*Boyfriend*Heartbreak</i></a> (2005) <br /></b>While I've done my best to reign in my propensity for hyperbole in recent years, I cannot in good conscience call this album anything less than a classic. I will gladly die on that hill, and I bet King Ralph would too!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><iframe seamless="" src="https://bandcamp.com/EmbeddedPlayer/album=2219873159/size=small/bgcol=ffffff/linkcol=0687f5/track=363811299/transparent=true/" style="border: 0; height: 42px; width: 100%;"><a href="https://theunlovables.bandcamp.com/album/crush-boyfriend-heartbreak">Crush*Boyfriend*Heartbreak by The Unlovables</a></iframe></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>3. Spazzys - <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KtsvJFe6d7I&list=OLAK5uy_niC_WIlzsQYaUQiYDQSofdRKP7ReL5qT0"><i>Aloha! Go Bananas</i></a> (2004)<br /></b><div>It is an established truth that "Paco Doesn't Love Me" is the greatest Ramones rip-off ever recorded. But seriously, this whole album is gold.<br /><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ZBtvjI9CkJ4?si=ocjAyu9k6MRYlPML" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>2. The Ergs! – <a href="https://theergs.bandcamp.com/album/dorkrockcorkrod"><i>dorkrockcorkrod</i></a> (2004) <br /></b>When you say "2000s pop-punk," there's only one band whose name is coming up first in my mind.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><iframe seamless="" src="https://bandcamp.com/EmbeddedPlayer/album=3857553034/size=small/bgcol=ffffff/linkcol=0687f5/track=967352675/transparent=true/" style="border: 0; height: 42px; width: 100%;"><a href="https://theergs.bandcamp.com/album/dorkrockcorkrod">dorkrockcorkrod by The Ergs</a></iframe></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>1. The Kung Fu Monkeys - <a href="https://thekungfumonkeys.bandcamp.com/album/schools-out-surfs-up-lets-fall-in-love-12-brand-new-ultramatic-supersonic-candy-coated-technicolor-bug-o-phonic-rhythm-and-kid-beat-aural-adventures-for-lovers-of-the-modern-sound"><i>School's Out, Surf's Up, Let's Fall in Love</i></a> </b><b>(2000) <br /></b>One of the greatest musical albums ever made by humans.<br /><iframe seamless="" src="https://bandcamp.com/EmbeddedPlayer/album=1726783986/size=small/bgcol=ffffff/linkcol=0687f5/track=3775876531/transparent=true/" style="border: 0; height: 42px; width: 100%;"><a href="https://thekungfumonkeys.bandcamp.com/album/schools-out-surfs-up-lets-fall-in-love-12-brand-new-ultramatic-supersonic-candy-coated-technicolor-bug-o-phonic-rhythm-and-kid-beat-aural-adventures-for-lovers-of-the-modern-sound">School's Out, Surf's Up, Let's Fall in Love: 12 brand new ultramatic, supersonic, candy-coated, technicolor, bug-o-phonic rhythm-and-kid-beat aural adventures for lovers of the modern sound! by The Kung Fu Monkeys</a></iframe></div><p><b>Honorable Mentions </b></p><div style="text-align: left;">The Steinways - <a href="https://thesteinways.bandcamp.com/album/missed-the-boat"><i>Missed the Boat</i></a> (2006) <br />Geoff Palmer - <a href="https://geoffpalmer.bandcamp.com/album/pulling-out-all-the-stops"><i>Pulling Out All the Stop</i>s</a> (2019) <br />Neon Bone - <i><a href="https://monsterzerorecords.bandcamp.com/album/that-dog-wont-hunt">That Dog Won't Hunt</a> </i>(2018) <br />Spastic Hearts - <a href="https://thespastichearts.bandcamp.com/album/no-girls-no-fun-2"><i>No Girls No Fun</i></a> (2014) <br />Ruth's Hat - <a href="https://ruthshat.bandcamp.com/album/bye-bye-love"><i>Bye Bye Love</i></a> (2000) </div><p>Now comes the difficult part: putting together my 20 century list! Stay tuned! </p><p><a href="mailto:fasterandlouderblog@gmail.com">-L.R. </a></p>Lord Rutledgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11808432134946889364noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4648868063318560725.post-73436180536464124172024-03-03T11:14:00.001-05:002024-03-03T11:14:06.527-05:00Human Toys - "Go Go Alco"/ "Generation Shit"<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6wPd6-_6RaMMNI7t87xCJ9nJhqu9Ysb2_zsts2K8HDI7XLfLL1LyjchaVZzd9GMB-1dtiSzRGBpadWNQWjEWPbmoDb7NBHKEskl_qkSS8LzsxZxUTv9YU84lrZHUc7SjfYVvP2yMk7RdzyCimQ4b3E9rF4u_FNwPi37m_qpGGvrhhBQax2e1XGG_M8ig/s1155/429531374_18303889747148947_4154849510947587952_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1155" data-original-width="1140" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6wPd6-_6RaMMNI7t87xCJ9nJhqu9Ysb2_zsts2K8HDI7XLfLL1LyjchaVZzd9GMB-1dtiSzRGBpadWNQWjEWPbmoDb7NBHKEskl_qkSS8LzsxZxUTv9YU84lrZHUc7SjfYVvP2yMk7RdzyCimQ4b3E9rF4u_FNwPi37m_qpGGvrhhBQax2e1XGG_M8ig/s320/429531374_18303889747148947_4154849510947587952_n.jpg" width="316" /></a></div><br />Here's one you're all gonna like! Human Toys are a Paris-based duo made up of Poupée Mecanik and the legendary Jon Von. Out now on the Los Angeles label Outro Records, the duo's new single "Go Go Alco"/ "Generation Shit" is its first new release since the 2020 long player <i>Spin To Win</i>. You know what you're getting with Jon Von's songwriting, and Human Toys add an extra dimension with Poupée's charismatic vocals and dandy Theremin chops. In Jon Von's own words, "The A-side concerns our friend Alco Degurutieni from Japan and a nightmarish day getting to a gig." On the B-side, "Generation Shit" opines on the current state of the world and in particular the apathy of certain individuals. If you're expecting poppy garage punk of the highest caliber, you will not be disappointed by either of these songs. They're both bangers! Be sure to check out the music video for "Go Go Alco" (embedded below), which was directed by Iris Razzle and illustrates the story told in the song. Hit up the Outro Records <a href="https://outrorecords.com/7-and-10-vinyl-store">store</a> to order a copy of the record!<br /><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/S_eUAZKolpw?si=aDo-4qgkc3Rk9zyy" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="mailto:fasterandlouderblog@gmail.com">-L.R.</a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="mailto:fasterandlouderblog@gmail.com"><br /> </a><a href="https://humantoys.bandcamp.com/album/go-go-alco-generation-shit">https://humantoys.bandcamp.com/album/go-go-alco-generation-shit<br /></a><a href="https://www.facebook.com/p/Human-Toys-100035499021764/">https://www.facebook.com/p/Human-Toys-100035499021764/<br /></a><a href="https://www.facebook.com/outrorecords.us/">https://www.facebook.com/outrorecords.us/<br /></a><a href="https://outrorecords.com/7-and-10-vinyl-store">https://outrorecords.com/7-and-10-vinyl-store<br /></a><a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCDOjXz3tvlMziThZyNEl1Fg">https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCDOjXz3tvlMziThZyNEl1Fg<br /></a><a href="https://www.instagram.com/outrorecords.us/">https://www.instagram.com/outrorecords.us/</a></div>Lord Rutledgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11808432134946889364noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4648868063318560725.post-54602824123248484872024-03-01T17:47:00.007-05:002024-03-01T17:51:31.769-05:00Civil Rats - Don't Get It.<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1yjsZs67s8f_Z94c45HTsOjO-FcrEpmjBDNIaF1dtqJow-FRyhCG3lOUEpsY0UQz_yDS39usDIK1sN_sbn_4pnthcpx4bPpKCbSj3m8pXGiFwZo3PTGAnj1f16UugRX0HuZCrYmtrxcDX-gopujhvxIahokaYeZzk6dRu5WFRpnUY-pxKaajHQbO11Ac/s1200/a3318005019_10.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1yjsZs67s8f_Z94c45HTsOjO-FcrEpmjBDNIaF1dtqJow-FRyhCG3lOUEpsY0UQz_yDS39usDIK1sN_sbn_4pnthcpx4bPpKCbSj3m8pXGiFwZo3PTGAnj1f16UugRX0HuZCrYmtrxcDX-gopujhvxIahokaYeZzk6dRu5WFRpnUY-pxKaajHQbO11Ac/s320/a3318005019_10.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />Civil Rats, authors of my seventh-highest rated EP of 2023, have topped themselves in a big way on <i>Don't Get It.</i>, their sophomore EP. I don't often describe a collection of songs as "perfect," but that's the word that's coming to my mind as a I reflect on <i>Don't Get It.</i> This Philadelphia-based trio takes a very simple approach to music, playing energetic garage punk that's catchy and fun. Yet it's the execution of that approach — which I would indeed describe as perfect — that really sets this band apart. Remember the way you felt when you first discovered punk rock and were like, "Wow, this is the most awesome music ever!"? That's the sort of energy I get from Civil Rats. This band doesn't take itself too seriously, but it seriously rocks. And although the band's sense of humor really shines through on these six tracks, the songs' lyrics tackle relatable, real-life topics. Who among us can't relate to a song about watching a movie or reading a book and having it totally go over your head? "H-E Double Hockey Sticks," which describes the urgent need to extricate yourself from an extremely toxic situation, is immensely profound (without going over my head — ha!). Elsewhere, the band sings of the joys of basement shows, ruminates on how responsible adulthood can foil a person's hard-partying ways, and asks perhaps the most universal of all human questions: <i>How much did we drink last night? </i>If aliens came to my house and threatened to disembowel me if I didn't explain to them why I love punk rock, I would play them this EP. They would dance & sing along, and no Earthlings would be harmed. <i>Don't Get It. </i>will be available soon on cassette tape, so be sure to follow Civil Rats on the socials or pre-order a copy on Bandcamp if you'd like to get in on the action! <p><iframe seamless="" src="https://bandcamp.com/EmbeddedPlayer/album=2097865528/size=small/bgcol=ffffff/linkcol=0687f5/track=2705385958/transparent=true/" style="border: 0; height: 42px; width: 100%;"><a href="https://thecivilrats.bandcamp.com/album/dont-get-it">Don't Get It. by Civil Rats</a></iframe><iframe seamless="" src="https://bandcamp.com/EmbeddedPlayer/album=2097865528/size=small/bgcol=ffffff/linkcol=0687f5/track=418483554/transparent=true/" style="border: 0; height: 42px; width: 100%;"><a href="https://thecivilrats.bandcamp.com/album/dont-get-it">Don't Get It. by Civil Rats</a></iframe></p><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="mailto:fasterandlouderblog@gmail.com">-L.R.</a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="mailto:fasterandlouderblog@gmail.com"><br /></a><a href="https://thecivilrats.bandcamp.com/album/dont-get-it">https://thecivilrats.bandcamp.com/album/dont-get-it<br /></a><a href="https://open.spotify.com/album/4L9IiSi5Pr9gWyAfdAqljI">https://open.spotify.com/album/4L9IiSi5Pr9gWyAfdAqljI<br /></a><a href="https://www.instagram.com/civil_rats/">https://www.instagram.com/civil_rats/<br /></a><a href="https://www.facebook.com/civilratsphl">https://www.facebook.com/civilratsphl</a></div><div><a href="mailto:fasterandlouderblog@gmail.com"></a></div><p></p>Lord Rutledgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11808432134946889364noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4648868063318560725.post-71797498283129370102024-02-25T14:34:00.011-05:002024-02-25T15:08:58.350-05:00My Ten Favorite Power Pop Albums of the 21st Century <div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1CpQflRvuAB9H1ikkj0BSht5akCfz2OMKdUhdv5w9Bi7KHBQ1Oygj28ta4HDGiIfiQF9rhQWnudAFano-nhx3IGo_vdbJZAA6WZ3KmaRONJTkKgEzO_0LP9UWaEp4N_10iU9LGifZ-0UlIEQIWZ81eXvcgjj3Jl9MDG2wsPAOTG5uv49240_XRBsUjDU/s425/51hI7XBGi4L._SX425_.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="425" data-original-width="425" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1CpQflRvuAB9H1ikkj0BSht5akCfz2OMKdUhdv5w9Bi7KHBQ1Oygj28ta4HDGiIfiQF9rhQWnudAFano-nhx3IGo_vdbJZAA6WZ3KmaRONJTkKgEzO_0LP9UWaEp4N_10iU9LGifZ-0UlIEQIWZ81eXvcgjj3Jl9MDG2wsPAOTG5uv49240_XRBsUjDU/s320/51hI7XBGi4L._SX425_.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaTjrs1hgZIUeKj0KZgtTwJyLj1HiZ3YIRGEbDDD0QyTwZUIj4GBu2K3KFncvWY_yJ7BVviQr-U9Axz3M7mG3ndS0HKEekBFzAJe9KsuNNcQSQMgDPUxFyFB-hjRmyTulmWY9MbVgcus8Q_i_Esf6UTBzy6lMw5qhhpt7l4Kd33tqYZW7ZWirxVvlNK9s/s599/R-4036202-1558400283-4736.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="538" data-original-width="599" height="287" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaTjrs1hgZIUeKj0KZgtTwJyLj1HiZ3YIRGEbDDD0QyTwZUIj4GBu2K3KFncvWY_yJ7BVviQr-U9Axz3M7mG3ndS0HKEekBFzAJe9KsuNNcQSQMgDPUxFyFB-hjRmyTulmWY9MbVgcus8Q_i_Esf6UTBzy6lMw5qhhpt7l4Kd33tqYZW7ZWirxVvlNK9s/s320/R-4036202-1558400283-4736.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />It's no secret that I really love power pop. Now "power pop" is a term that is open to considerable interpretation and sometimes fierce debate. I generally subscribe to a broad definition of power pop. If it's powerful, and it's pop, then it can be power pop in my book. I've left every single power pop group I've ever joined on Facebook due to my discontent with the overzealous gatekeepers and pontificating purists who suck all the fun out of celebrating this music so many of us love. I will never tell a self-described power pop band that they're not really power pop. Nor will I ever split hairs between power pop and pop-punk when sometimes the only difference is a band's choice of footwear. Because the way we all view music is so deeply personal, no two people will ever agree 100% on what power pop is and which bands best exemplify it. But I <i>can</i> write about bands that represent what power pop means to me. On that note, I thought it would be fun to feature my favorite ten power pop albums from this century — not the ten "greatest" or ten "most influential" but simply the ten I like the best. Just in case you've missed some of these titles, I've provided streaming links so you can hear for yourself! </div><div><br /></div><div><b>10. honeychain - <a href="https://honeychain.bandcamp.com/album/crushed"><i>CRUSHED</i></a> (2017) </b></div><div style="text-align: left;">This one remains an overlooked gem. Honeychain is a band fronted by Hillary Burton (The Pandoras), and <i>Crushed</i> was its full-length debut. I've had this CD in my car for years, and every so often I'll pop it into my car player and marvel at how great it is from start to finish. Burton's dear friend Kim Shattuck produced this album, and you can absolutely hear her influence. You can also hear Burton's extraordinary talent as a songwriter and singer. If classic power pop with a punk attitude and a '90s alternative rock feel sounds like your thing, you need to be on Bandcamp now purchasing a download of <i>Crushed</i>!<br /><iframe seamless="" src="https://bandcamp.com/EmbeddedPlayer/album=3524492102/size=small/bgcol=ffffff/linkcol=0687f5/track=1072692872/transparent=true/" style="border: 0; height: 42px; width: 100%;"><a href="https://honeychain.bandcamp.com/album/crushed">CRUSHED by honeychain</a></iframe></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>9. Natalie Sweet - <i><a href="https://nataliesweet.bandcamp.com/album/oh-by-the-way">Oh, By the Way...</a> </i>(2019) <br /></b>I remember hearing an advance of this album and absolutely losing my shit. I was a huge fan of Natalie Sweet from her band <a href="https://theshanghais.bandcamp.com/album/fall-in-love-ep">The Shanghais</a>, and I consider Travis Ramin perhaps the single most important player in the modern power pop revival. The idea of these two collaborating on a record with Morten freaking Henriksen on lead guitar was a dream-come-true for power pop fans. The world never got a Shanghais full-length or a second Tina and the Total Babes album, but <i>Oh, By the Way...</i> was the next best thing.<br /><iframe seamless="" src="https://bandcamp.com/EmbeddedPlayer/album=2840443106/size=small/bgcol=ffffff/linkcol=0687f5/track=941772509/transparent=true/" style="border: 0; height: 42px; width: 100%;"><a href="https://nataliesweet.bandcamp.com/album/oh-by-the-way">Oh, By The Way... by Natalie Sweet</a></iframe></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>8. The Yum Yums - <a href="https://rumbarrecords.bandcamp.com/album/for-those-about-to-pop"><i>For Those About To Pop!</i></a> (2020)</b></div><div style="text-align: left;">The Yum Yums are one of those bands that are hard to pigeonhole. Some might put them more in the pop-punk category, but I've always thought of them as power pop with punk influences. The band's debut album <i>Sweet As Candy</i> was very influential on me as a young punk rocker discovering power pop. There is no such thing as a not-great Yum Yums album, but I think Morten really peaked with his most recent release, <i>For Those About To Pop! </i>That's not just a great album title — it's a mission statement!<br /><iframe seamless="" src="https://bandcamp.com/EmbeddedPlayer/album=2906037487/size=small/bgcol=ffffff/linkcol=0687f5/track=3818666510/transparent=true/" style="border: 0; height: 42px; width: 100%;"><a href="https://rumbarrecords.bandcamp.com/album/for-those-about-to-pop">For Those About To Pop! by Yum Yums</a></iframe></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>7. The Dahlmanns- <a href="https://belugarecords.bandcamp.com/album/the-dahlmanns-all-dahled-up-13-tracks"><i>All Dahled Up</i></a> (2012) <br /></b>When it came to power pop in the 2010s, The Dahlmanns were the gold standard. Beluga Records has just released a super-sized <a href="https://www.belugarecords.com/collections/beluga-records-releases/products/the-dahlmanns-all-dahled-up-13-tracks">re-issue</a> of <i>All Dahled Up</i> with 13 extra tracks!<br /><iframe seamless="" src="https://bandcamp.com/EmbeddedPlayer/album=2530875024/size=small/bgcol=ffffff/linkcol=0687f5/track=1300615383/transparent=true/" style="border: 0; height: 42px; width: 100%;"><a href="https://belugarecords.bandcamp.com/album/the-dahlmanns-all-dahled-up-13-tracks">The Dahlmanns - All Dahled Up + 13 Tracks by Beluga Records</a></iframe> <br /><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>6. Kurt Baker - <a href="https://kurtbakerwcr.bandcamp.com/album/brand-new-beat"><i>Brand New Beat</i></a> (2012) <br /></b>Kurt Baker has always been a favorite of this blog. His albums have only gotten better over the years, but there's still something special about <i>Brand New Beat</i> for me. It defined a new era of power pop — one that acknowledged the influence of pop-punk but was also heavily inspired by The Beatles and '60s pop in general. It influenced a lot of bands that have formed over the past decade, and it influenced the evolution of my own musical tastes.<br /><iframe seamless="" src="https://bandcamp.com/EmbeddedPlayer/album=3030846894/size=small/bgcol=ffffff/linkcol=0687f5/track=476751361/transparent=true/" style="border: 0; height: 42px; width: 100%;"><a href="https://kurtbakerwcr.bandcamp.com/album/brand-new-beat-complete">Brand New Beat: Complete by Kurt Baker</a></iframe></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>5. Exploding Hearts - <a href="https://theexplodinghearts.bandcamp.com/album/guitar-romantic-expanded-and-remastered"><i>Guitar Romantic</i></a> (2002)<br /></b>There's just no denying how influential this record was. Prior to the release of <i>Guitar Romantic</i>, there was power pop, and there was punk rock. Then this album came out, and there were songs that sounded like first wave punk mixed in seamlessly with songs that sounded like 1979 power pop. And there were songs that were a little bit of both. And just like that, "powerpop/punk" was a real genre. But even if we remove the importance and impact of <i>Guitar Romantic</i> from the conversation, it's still an incredible record that stands the test of time. One can only imagine what this band could have become.<br /><iframe seamless="" src="https://bandcamp.com/EmbeddedPlayer/album=835307510/size=small/bgcol=ffffff/linkcol=0687f5/track=428815597/transparent=true/" style="border: 0; height: 42px; width: 100%;"><a href="https://theexplodinghearts.bandcamp.com/album/guitar-romantic-expanded-and-remastered">Guitar Romantic (Expanded and Remastered) by The Exploding Hearts</a></iframe></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>4. Mother's Children - <a href="https://motherschildren.bandcamp.com/album/thats-who-lp"><i>That's Who!</i></a> (2010)<br /></b>This is the ultimate power pop "party album." It rocks your face off and begs to be played loud, yet it's still the epitome of melody-driven, super-catchy pop. If you like your power pop leaning towards the "power" side of the equation, you should immediately familiarize yourself with Mother's Children's full catalog.<br /><iframe seamless="" src="https://bandcamp.com/EmbeddedPlayer/album=2291345304/size=small/bgcol=ffffff/linkcol=0687f5/track=3185876484/transparent=true/" style="border: 0; height: 42px; width: 100%;"><a href="https://motherschildren.bandcamp.com/album/thats-who-lp">That's Who! LP by Mother's Children</a></iframe></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b> </b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>3. The Speedways - <a href="https://thespeedways.bandcamp.com/album/radio-sounds"><i>Radio Sounds</i></a> (2020) <br /></b>In my book, this is one of the greatest power pop albums of any era.<br /><iframe seamless="" src="https://bandcamp.com/EmbeddedPlayer/album=2475782314/size=small/bgcol=ffffff/linkcol=0687f5/track=415173836/transparent=true/" style="border: 0; height: 42px; width: 100%;"><a href="https://thespeedways.bandcamp.com/album/radio-sounds">Radio Sounds by The Speedways</a></iframe></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>2. Tsar - <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ip_cO7KhTWA&list=OLAK5uy_lxevXk1AahzFFJNkp1AfBmp03whfZHJe0">self-titled</a> (2000)<br /></b><i>Tsar</i> is still one of the most unlikely albums ever released on a major label. It was the turn of the century, and mainstream rock radio was the most unlistenable it has ever been in history. Almost anything that got airplay circa Y2K was dark and angst-ridden and utterly devoid of melody. All of the sudden, this debut album from Tsar was like an answered prayer for all those of who longed to make rock great again. Laden with massive, soaring hooks, it sounded like a greatest hits collection from some parallel universe where they still played radio hits on the radio. Of course the album flopped, but in my daydreams, "Calling All Destroyers" was a #1 smash on seven continents, and all these guys got to live in mansions.<br /><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ip_cO7KhTWA?si=3HvRYra2bikQ4pfV" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>1. Tina and the Total Babes - <a href="https://rumbarrecords.bandcamp.com/album/shes-so-tuff"><i>She's So Tuff</i></a> (2001) <br /></b><i>She's So Tuff</i>, the one and only release from turn of the century super group Tina and the Total Babes, remains my favorite album of the 21st century and one of my favorite power pop albums of all-time. Tina Lucchesi (The Bobbyteens, The Trashwomen) joined forces with Travis Ramin, producer to the stars, to create the greatest punk-influenced girl group power pop album of 1979 — <i>in</i> 2001! Of course the covers (such as the title track originally by The Demons and Holly & The Italians' "Tell That Girl To Shut Up") are great, but originals like "Christy" and "Tongue Tied" are classics in their own right. It's wild to consider that this album is now older than the records it emulated where when it was first released. The 2022 vinyl reissue is still <a href="https://surfinkirecords.bigcartel.com/product/tina-the-total-babes-she-s-so-tuff-lp-20th-anniversary-remastered-edition">available</a> from the illustrious Surfin' Ki Records!<br /><iframe seamless="" src="https://bandcamp.com/EmbeddedPlayer/album=2874056560/size=small/bgcol=ffffff/linkcol=0687f5/track=112362855/transparent=true/" style="border: 0; height: 42px; width: 100%;"><a href="https://rumbarrecords.bandcamp.com/album/shes-so-tuff">She's So Tuff by Tina and the Total Babes</a></iframe></div><div><br /></div><div><b>Honorable Mentions:</b></div><div>The Reflectors - <a href="https://reflectors.bandcamp.com/album/first-impression"><i>First Impression</i></a> (2020) </div><div>The Whiffs - <i><a href="https://digthewhiffs.bandcamp.com/album/another-whiff">Another Whiff</a> </i>(2019)</div><div>Cheap Cassettes - <a href="https://cheapcassettes.bandcamp.com/album/ever-since-ever-since-2022"><i>Ever Since Ever Since</i></a> (2022) </div><div>The Cry! - <a href="https://thecry.bandcamp.com/album/the-cry-the-cry">self-titled</a> (2011) </div><div>Damone - <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OVO5G52OMPI&list=OLAK5uy_m4H8ClLq5RWqdXEAY50izZNMe_RLkgIh4"><i>From the Attic</i></a> (2003) </div><div>The Figgs - <a href="https://thefiggs.bandcamp.com/album/sucking-in-stereo"><i>Sucking In Stereo</i></a> (2000) </div><div>First Base - <a href="https://drunkensailorrecords.bandcamp.com/album/not-that-bad-lp"><i>Not That Bad</i></a> (2017) </div><div><br /></div><div><a href="mailto:fasterandlouderblog@gmail.com">-L.R. </a></div>Lord Rutledgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11808432134946889364noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4648868063318560725.post-34966612997996412822024-02-25T13:44:00.001-05:002024-02-25T13:46:00.103-05:00Autogramm - "Diana"<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVKgIwmaQhufAH-mmMrt6FYSheLn6wjKlHOO06XXRvyEY2Smxe7ST3bKVdrHwFIz8h6Dhsui7YSEG-M61dsEO53XP9qxTVC3pm5oYm1m1I7xu23wJPtI5jBpMh4B06Oo9gVR3bFzA1uDwax1iKW-K-jl97FpwZiMiYtoPbjVv15veTle-NV69yyv-1qHU/s1200/a3828220280_10.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVKgIwmaQhufAH-mmMrt6FYSheLn6wjKlHOO06XXRvyEY2Smxe7ST3bKVdrHwFIz8h6Dhsui7YSEG-M61dsEO53XP9qxTVC3pm5oYm1m1I7xu23wJPtI5jBpMh4B06Oo9gVR3bFzA1uDwax1iKW-K-jl97FpwZiMiYtoPbjVv15veTle-NV69yyv-1qHU/s320/a3828220280_10.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />Well, this was a nice surprise! A mere three months after it released its fantastic new album <i>Music That Humans Can Play</i>, North America's top new wave band Autogramm is back with a new single on Beluga Records! With "Diana," the now-foursome leans heavily into early '80s synth-pop with a sound that strikes a perfect balance between dark and danceable. The thing that gets me about Autogramm time and time again is that these guys don't just nail the <i>style</i> of new wave pop. First and foremost, they write absolutely top-notch songs with irresistible melodies and legit radio hit hooks. Playing this kind of music is a tricky thing because you want it to <i>feel</i> like the era that inspired it, yet you need to elevate so that people will like the songs even if they have zero emotional attachment to the '80s. That has been Autogramm's greatest success. Of course "Diana" would not sound out of place at the club on an '80s night playlist. But it would also grab your attention if you heard it while standing in line at Chipotle. It's a total earworm and a stone-cold banger in any era. Imagine Vince Clarke–era Depeche Mode if they'd had guitars! On the B-side, "Licht Aus" is a mostly faithful cover of a 1982 single <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=snWYXR_Fslc">single</a> by German new wavers Nichts. If you're going to be a new wave band in 2024, covering largely-unknown gems from the heyday is definitely the way to go. The odds are that at least one person reading this will do a deeper dive into Nichts, and that's tremendously exciting to me. Two non-album tracks from Autogramm so soon after an LP release is a real treat, and they do not disappoint. Hit up the Beluga <a href="https://www.belugarecords.com/collections/singles-a/products/autogramm-diana">web site</a> if you want to order the vinyl. Those of you in Europe should check out Autogramm's socials for details on the band's tour happening next month! <p><iframe seamless="" src="https://bandcamp.com/EmbeddedPlayer/album=537829294/size=small/bgcol=ffffff/linkcol=0687f5/track=623698705/transparent=true/" style="border: 0; height: 42px; width: 100%;"><a href="https://autogramm.bandcamp.com/album/diana-licht-aus">Diana / Licht Aus by Autogramm</a></iframe></p><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="mailto:fasterandlouderblog@gmail.com">-L.R.</a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="mailto:fasterandlouderblog@gmail.com"><br /> </a><a href="https://autogramm.bandcamp.com/album/diana-licht-aus">https://autogramm.bandcamp.com/album/diana-licht-aus<br /></a><a href="https://belugarecords.bandcamp.com/album/autogramm-diana">https://belugarecords.bandcamp.com/album/autogramm-diana<br /></a><a href="https://www.belugarecords.com/collections/singles-a/products/autogramm-diana">https://www.belugarecords.com/collections/singles-a/products/autogramm-diana<br /></a><a href="https://open.spotify.com/album/0uRmu0wiioQctu2v9zl3if">https://open.spotify.com/album/0uRmu0wiioQctu2v9zl3if<br /></a><a href="https://www.instagram.com/autogrammband/">https://www.instagram.com/autogrammband/<br /></a><a href="https://www.facebook.com/autogrammband/">https://www.facebook.com/autogrammband/<br /></a><a href="https://www.facebook.com/punkrecords.se/">https://www.facebook.com/punkrecords.se/</a></div>Lord Rutledgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11808432134946889364noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4648868063318560725.post-57418677873570819322024-02-24T10:36:00.004-05:002024-02-24T10:36:26.302-05:00Shop Talk - "W.C.U.D." <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFwA-nyyOy4YmnXTB43piZR0yuggj1v0noXWhYa95eukW9NGq-7-KJo6gHeilY5R6s3HHuCcqrGO_z_jiOSuTTEvUrEYVEsarbxyqEEY8CCbP7Y4r2Eyf_ya721whM131dsuO8gPmv-8Xa22NoskrGMS1vhK99hI3kQUWDBvPC1dT9G9G4vKPAo2USJr0/s700/a2248621717_16.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="700" data-original-width="700" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFwA-nyyOy4YmnXTB43piZR0yuggj1v0noXWhYa95eukW9NGq-7-KJo6gHeilY5R6s3HHuCcqrGO_z_jiOSuTTEvUrEYVEsarbxyqEEY8CCbP7Y4r2Eyf_ya721whM131dsuO8gPmv-8Xa22NoskrGMS1vhK99hI3kQUWDBvPC1dT9G9G4vKPAo2USJr0/s320/a2248621717_16.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />One of the best things about writing about music is hearing a band for the first time and being totally blown away. Shop Talk, a punk rock band from Brooklyn, has just released an absolute face-melter of a single titled "W.C.U.D." I was wowed to hear a New York–based band in 2024 sounding like what I imagine The Adverts would have sounded like if they'd been from Southern California. And then I went back and listened to Shop Talk's <a href="https://shoptalk.bandcamp.com/album/the-offering-ep-2">debut EP</a> from last year and felt totally lame about not having been hip to this band sooner! "W.C.U.D." is a blistering cut of straight-forward punk rock that hits you with killer hooks and a burning intensity. I dig the conviction of the vocals and the substance of the lyrics, and how hot is that bass playing? This is a relatable song since it concerns the moral implications of resigning yourself to a bad situation. We've all been there. It can freeing to absolve yourself of responsibility when you can no longer control a situation, but it doesn't mean you don't still feel shitty about it. "The Will," the virtual B-side, is a perfectly complementary track with its more measured, darkly melodic ferocity. I'm always a sucker for a band that can manage to be reminiscent of first wave punk rock without resorting to pale imitation, and Shop Talk totally hits that mark. "W.C.U.D." could pass for a lost classic 45 from punk rock's heyday. If the single floors you the way it floored me, I urge you to also look into the aforementioned EP, <i>The Offering</i> (in particular the Damned-ish title track). Shop Talk is the real deal, and I will be eagerly awaiting its future releases!<p><iframe seamless="" src="https://bandcamp.com/EmbeddedPlayer/album=1950736694/size=small/bgcol=ffffff/linkcol=0687f5/track=3248926264/transparent=true/" style="border: 0; height: 42px; width: 100%;"><a href="https://shoptalk.bandcamp.com/album/wcud">WCUD by Shop Talk</a></iframe></p><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="mailto:fasterandlouderblog@gmail.com">-L.R.</a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="mailto:fasterandlouderblog@gmail.com"><br /> </a><a href="https://shoptalk.bandcamp.com/album/wcud">https://shoptalk.bandcamp.com/album/wcud<br /></a><a href="https://www.instagram.com/shoptalktheband">https://www.instagram.com/shoptalktheband<br /></a><a href="https://shoptalktheband.com/home">https://shoptalktheband.com/home<br /></a><a href="https://www.youtube.com/@Shoptalktheband">https://www.youtube.com/@Shoptalktheband<br /></a><a href="https://open.spotify.com/artist/5OUPy3uAL81pkNLZopDnMd">https://open.spotify.com/artist/5OUPy3uAL81pkNLZopDnMd</a></div><p></p>Lord Rutledgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11808432134946889364noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4648868063318560725.post-37149588176751862252024-02-18T11:31:00.005-05:002024-02-18T15:18:47.928-05:00Paul Collins - Stand Back and Take a Good Look<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm2l4ldYkb1R4xfmeAOBrixF6oJhOxG2n-bXZ_yZSMhWBSXYfAoJ7E6VJRehGbvqPeyRx77HKGvc4Ei4RD9doLrwlHefVdr3rx2D7c_20ucY0i4E_NkszS6ByFJ1LkS7mMg786cXqS2Df22mx6kB9BGVePsvSQ-xen2Smv4DaCgJYD_Oo2zN93nFe5Mzc/s700/a3229824958_16.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="700" data-original-width="700" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm2l4ldYkb1R4xfmeAOBrixF6oJhOxG2n-bXZ_yZSMhWBSXYfAoJ7E6VJRehGbvqPeyRx77HKGvc4Ei4RD9doLrwlHefVdr3rx2D7c_20ucY0i4E_NkszS6ByFJ1LkS7mMg786cXqS2Df22mx6kB9BGVePsvSQ-xen2Smv4DaCgJYD_Oo2zN93nFe5Mzc/s320/a3229824958_16.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />Adding to a roster full of some of the most formidable talents in the world of guitar-driven pop music, JEM Records welcomes to the family the king of power pop, Mr. Paul Collins. <i>Stand Back and Take a Good Look</i> is Collins' first new release in over five years and a master class work of timeless pop rock 'n' roll. Longtime fans will be delighted to hear Collins revisit his power pop roots on several tracks, but by no means does the king limit himself to any single genre. <div><br /></div><div>Without trying to copy his past glories, Collins still manages to celebrate his influential work in the late '70s and early '80s along with that entire era of classic new wave power pop. He recruited some highly talented friends to play on this record. The late Dwight Twilley appears on the album — as do members of Shoes and 20/20. Other contributors include Richard X. Heyman, Prairie Prince, Ronnie Barnett, and our pals Dany Laj & Jeanette Dowling. You may recognize some old Nerves and Beat songs getting their first proper release, and I don't think anyone will be complaining! With the opening 1-2 punch of the Jack Lee–penned title track and Collins' "I'm the Only One for You," <i>Stand Back and Take a Good Look</i> comes out teleporting you to Los Angeles circa 1978. This, my friends, is a legend in peak form! The Peter Case–penned "Will You Come Through?" and the re-vamped Beat number "Another World" will also send chills down the spines of power pop enthusiasts. Yet on the second half of the album, Collins shows plenty of versatility in his craft. He puts a touch of classical music on the melodious and reflective "Liverpool," dishes out first-rate country rock on "You Can't Go Back," and explores his folky side on songs like "Under the Spanish Sun" and "One Hill and I'm Home" (written by his brother Patrick). "How Will I Know" recalls the twangy late '50s/early '60s rock 'n' roll that would be a building block for power pop. </div><div><br /></div><div>All in all, <i>Stand Back and Take a Good Look</i> is a fantastic record with a good mix of should-be radio hits and quality deep cuts. Collins has stated, "The record is an attempt to show my DNA," and it does exactly that. In her liner notes, Palmyra Delran reflects on Collins' ability to craft earworm hooks — something that seems easy but is actually one of the hardest things to do in music. That talent is apparent even when Collins breaks from the power pop textbook formula. If "Liverpool" were any catchier, they'd need a vaccine for it. Once "You Can't Go Back" slowly works its way into your skull, it's there to stay. Even as he's matured and evolved as an artist, Paul Collins has never lost sight of what he does best. <i>Stand Back and Take a Good Look</i> rates among the very best of his solo efforts. Would you expect anything less from JEM Records?<p><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Law2Dk-FmNM?si=WFvMMQOX_vobDLKT" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/RKweMQnYNDM?si=X3Pyf1Xyg0ozgLFZ" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe></p></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="mailto:fasterandlouderblog@gmail.com">-L.R.</a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="mailto:fasterandlouderblog@gmail.com"><br /> </a><a href="https://paulcollinsbeat.bandcamp.com/album/stand-back-and-take-a-good-look">https://paulcollinsbeat.bandcamp.com/album/stand-back-and-take-a-good-look<br /></a><a href="https://open.spotify.com/album/3Bycp3wfZby7iTZPZ8SEcV">https://open.spotify.com/album/3Bycp3wfZby7iTZPZ8SEcV<br /></a><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Stand-Back-Take-Good-Look/dp/B0CNWDT43F">https://www.amazon.com/Stand-Back-Take-Good-Look/dp/B0CNWDT43F<br /></a><a href="https://jemrecordings.com/">https://jemrecordings.com/<br /></a><a href="https://thepaulcollinsbeat.com/">https://thepaulcollinsbeat.com/<br /></a><a href="https://www.facebook.com/paul.collins.712">https://www.facebook.com/paul.collins.712<br /></a><a href="https://www.instagram.com/paulcollinsbeat">https://www.instagram.com/paulcollinsbeat</a></div>Lord Rutledgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11808432134946889364noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4648868063318560725.post-45531723062375585602024-02-11T13:55:00.003-05:002024-02-11T13:56:17.332-05:00The Prize/The Unknowns - split 7"<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_5r6Ew3gfvq38ZFJSXcIR207s2zI3MYI4memPUeu-KL7SdE1RZI_W4ZvIziiCEFxNIVEUW6dJLgPgv3qmbFIsCH4vAqR86Xs3WKyBMxqH8ZV9gu7SCNmOe_KhkHHXi8WMJtrbPSkI9iW_h1umMIZ6k1rYAVbRiPuFxBOQ4Z826XQM_kA8Z_vRVSDHDT0/s1200/a4208136990_10.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_5r6Ew3gfvq38ZFJSXcIR207s2zI3MYI4memPUeu-KL7SdE1RZI_W4ZvIziiCEFxNIVEUW6dJLgPgv3qmbFIsCH4vAqR86Xs3WKyBMxqH8ZV9gu7SCNmOe_KhkHHXi8WMJtrbPSkI9iW_h1umMIZ6k1rYAVbRiPuFxBOQ4Z826XQM_kA8Z_vRVSDHDT0/s320/a4208136990_10.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />When it comes to blockbuster split EPs, Bargain Bin Records may have just taken the cake. Up for order now is a team-up between two of the best bands in Australia and two of the best bands in present-day rock 'n' roll. The Prize from Melbourne emerged a couple years back as perhaps the most promising new power pop group to come down the pike in years. The Unknowns have been standouts of the Brisbane garage/punk scene since 2016 and have only gotten better with each new release. Now these two bands share a piece of vinyl, and you're going to want in on the action. When we talk about how the Aussies have got it going on, this record is solid proof. While we await a momentous full-length debut album from The Prize, they've delivered a couple more smash hit tracks here to quench our thirst. If you like punk-influenced power pop with big hooks and arena-sized guitars, "One Day at a Time" will float your boat and power it across an ocean. Following up their brilliant album <i>East Coast Low</i>, The Unknowns are back with two more tracks of catchy old school buzz-saw punk with energy to burn. The vinyl comes in two colors and may be difficult to procure outside of Australia. At the very least, two of these four tracks are available now from the streaming sites and well worth snagging for your listening pleasure. If you're not listening to these two bands, you are really missing out! <p><iframe seamless="" src="https://bandcamp.com/EmbeddedPlayer/album=479552327/size=small/bgcol=ffffff/linkcol=0687f5/track=2219699434/transparent=true/" style="border: 0; height: 42px; width: 100%;"><a href="https://theprizemelbourne.bandcamp.com/album/the-prize-the-unknowns-split">The Prize / The Unknowns Split by The Prize</a></iframe><iframe seamless="" src="https://bandcamp.com/EmbeddedPlayer/album=479552327/size=small/bgcol=ffffff/linkcol=0687f5/track=1386356054/transparent=true/" style="border: 0; height: 42px; width: 100%;"><a href="https://theprizemelbourne.bandcamp.com/album/the-prize-the-unknowns-split">The Prize / The Unknowns Split by The Prize</a></iframe></p><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="mailto:fasterandlouderblog@gmail.com">-L.R.</a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="mailto:fasterandlouderblog@gmail.com"><br /></a><a href="https://theunknowns4.bandcamp.com/album/the-prize-the-unknowns-split">https://theunknowns4.bandcamp.com/album/the-prize-the-unknowns-split<br /></a><a href="https://theprizemelbourne.bandcamp.com/album/the-prize-the-unknowns-split">https://theprizemelbourne.bandcamp.com/album/the-prize-the-unknowns-split<br /></a><a href="https://bargainbinrecords.bandcamp.com/music">https://bargainbinrecords.bandcamp.com/music<br /></a><a href="https://open.spotify.com/album/1TzUsZdpORpxdRCgAhuLLh">https://open.spotify.com/album/1TzUsZdpORpxdRCgAhuLLh<br /></a><a href="https://open.spotify.com/album/7sZhndNoiB3S9ESErhIkAX">https://open.spotify.com/album/7sZhndNoiB3S9ESErhIkAX<br /></a><a href="https://www.instagram.com/the_unknowns_/">https://www.instagram.com/the_unknowns_/<br /></a><a href="https://www.facebook.com/Theunknown4573/">https://www.facebook.com/Theunknown4573/<br /></a><a href="https://www.facebook.com/theprizemelbourne/">https://www.facebook.com/theprizemelbourne/<br /></a><a href="https://www.instagram.com/theprize___/">https://www.instagram.com/theprize___/</a></div>Lord Rutledgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11808432134946889364noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4648868063318560725.post-53388433611315560692024-02-11T12:43:00.008-05:002024-02-11T12:58:33.654-05:00Lorne Behrman - Blue Love <p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc4FrGTOdgeubIc81Hu1mInYqO72QM-i4Wea-tRJpDwU3Z5w_a17vu7dLCNBYxYsphy0MXvpIa-wLgOQ7G7cmNBNpFqJuLv6b5YflMhw3qpOpT4MMoKmSPmqYwYuS5xnsIZOOQaGl1otdgrMNK0sLDFWPjkqCzUZQpYK1FUGPxj1vPwSUdLZN1T5WxWDY/s1200/a0591415957_10.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc4FrGTOdgeubIc81Hu1mInYqO72QM-i4Wea-tRJpDwU3Z5w_a17vu7dLCNBYxYsphy0MXvpIa-wLgOQ7G7cmNBNpFqJuLv6b5YflMhw3qpOpT4MMoKmSPmqYwYuS5xnsIZOOQaGl1otdgrMNK0sLDFWPjkqCzUZQpYK1FUGPxj1vPwSUdLZN1T5WxWDY/s320/a0591415957_10.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />It's sometimes mind-blowing to me when I realize that Lorne Behrman has been releasing solo music for less than three years. Songs like "Oh Lord, Give Me Time" and "Black Cars" feel like they've been part of my life forever, and hearing Behrman's extraordinary new album <i>Blue Love</i> (out now on the fabulous Spaghetty Town Records) is like catching up with a cherished, ever-dependable friend. While I've been a fan of his musical talents going back to the early days of my music-reviewing life, I count his decision to become a lead artist in his later 40s as a blessing to me and numerous others who've gained so much from his songs. On <i>Blue Love</i>, Behrman returns to his poetic rock style with roots in New York punk, but he builds off of it rather than rehashing it. I always knew he was a great writer — but on this release, he distinguishes himself as a truly great <i>songwriter</i>. <div><br /></div><div><i>Blue Love</i>, like its predecessor <i>A Little Midnight</i>, exudes the spirit of New York City. The ghosts of Lou Reed, Jim Carroll, Tom Verlaine, Johnny Thunders, Robert Quine, and Willy DeVille inhabit these songs. Yet even with this influence so palpable, Behrman's sound and style are authentically his. What's particularly noticeable about <i>Blue Love </i>is how deeply melodic these songs are. Sometimes with poetic rock, the music is very minimalist or even secondary to the lyrics and vocals. That's far from the case here. These songs are well-crafted, highly tuneful, and constructed in a way that fully complements Behrman's conversational vocal style. Much credit must be given to Behrman's excellent guitar work and to the formidable talents of his supporting musicians (Matt Dougherty, Ray Mazza, Steve Mosto, Danielle McCullough, and Matt Chiaravalle [who also produces]). Yet there's just no denying the quality of these songs — which are chock full of memorable melodies and indelible hooks. </div><div><br /></div><div><i>Blue Love</i> is loosely a concept record. Says Behrman: This album is about experiencing pain and joy at the same time—like finding new love when everything in your life feels like it's falling apart." Behrman manages to write about love in a way that's neither naïve nor cynical but rather relatable and true to life. In some cases, songs depict relationships which are damaged, turbulent, and perhaps even destined to fail. In others, songs find love turning up in otherwise unfortunate situations for otherwise unfortunate individuals. The theme of the album was at least partially inspired by the absolutely beautiful film <i>The Panic in Needle Park</i> (directed by Jerry Schatzberg, another artist who didn't find his true calling until he was in his 40s). In looking at love through a lens that is both deeply tender and bluntly realistic, Behrman channels the spirit of the movie and reminds us why it's so timeless. "Barbara," which tells a tale of two addicts in love, is the album's most literal homage to the film. "The Bellevue Song" finds its protagonists falling in love in a mental hospital, utilizing a mix of humor and heart that brings to mind my favorite love song ever written, the Parasites' "Crazy." "The Blue Goes On Forever" squeezes a novel's worth of co-dependent, unstable, and utterly doomed romance into just a few lines of verse. "Meet Me on the Moon" finds its ill-fated lovers grasping for one last glimmer of hope. On the album's remarkable finisher "Love in Desperate Times," Behrman opens a window to his soul with a very personal song about the love (between him and his daughter) that got him through a very difficult time in his life. What a beautiful way to tie together the themes of the album! </div><div><br /></div><div>Those who enjoyed <i>A Little Midnight</i> are sure to be fans of <i>Blue Love</i> as well. But this album is definitely a progression for Behrman. In terms of songwriting and production, <i>Blue Love</i> is a more ambitious affair that finds Behrman expanding his palette of influences. Certain songs on the album have the spirit, at least, of jazz or soul music. From the doo wop influences of "The Bellevue Song" to the KISS by way of the Dolls vibes of "Ferris Wheels" to the lounge-y smoothness of "Barbara" to the playful twang of "Blue Eyes Gone Green," there are lots of new wrinkles in the mix. <i>Blue Love</i> has the unique distinction of being both punk-inspired and also the perfect album for a chill Sunday morning. And somehow this record manages to be full of warmth even as it oozes New York cool. The album bio's description of "Bob Dylan as produced by Phil Spector in 1970s CBGBs on a full moon" could not be any more on-point. Chiaravalle does a masterful job of assisting Behrman in realizing his musical vision. </div><div><br /></div><div>Considering the body of work Behrman has built in just a few short years, I would most definitely put him in the conversation if we're discussing my favorite present-day songwriters. And yet I wouldn't necessarily say it's a shame that he waited so long to find his calling as a singer & songwriter. All this happened at exactly the right time (and the right time in his life). We're in the midst of Lorne Behrman's moment, and what a privilege it is to receive what he's putting out there. <p><iframe seamless="" src="https://bandcamp.com/EmbeddedPlayer/album=3492834589/size=small/bgcol=ffffff/linkcol=0687f5/track=480882100/transparent=true/" style="border: 0; height: 42px; width: 100%;"><a href="https://lornebehrman.bandcamp.com/album/blue-love-2">Blue Love by Lorne Behrman</a></iframe><iframe seamless="" src="https://bandcamp.com/EmbeddedPlayer/album=3492834589/size=small/bgcol=ffffff/linkcol=0687f5/track=3904023358/transparent=true/" style="border: 0; height: 42px; width: 100%;"><a href="https://lornebehrman.bandcamp.com/album/blue-love-2">Blue Love by Lorne Behrman</a></iframe></p></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="mailto:fasterandlouderblog@gmail.com">-L.R.</a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="mailto:fasterandlouderblog@gmail.com"><br /> </a><a href="https://lornebehrman.bandcamp.com/album/blue-love-2">https://lornebehrman.bandcamp.com/album/blue-love-2<br /></a><a href="https://open.spotify.com/album/5g0u5sJsiXoWfKPDSyKcD5">https://open.spotify.com/album/5g0u5sJsiXoWfKPDSyKcD5<br /></a><a href="https://spaghettytownrecords.bigcartel.com/product/lorne-behrman-blue-love-cd-pre-order">https://spaghettytownrecords.bigcartel.com/product/lorne-behrman-blue-love-cd-pre-order<br /></a><a href="https://www.instagram.com/lornebehrman/">https://www.instagram.com/lornebehrman/<br /></a><a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0fPMg8ErgHUWcVlxvJAP0A">https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0fPMg8ErgHUWcVlxvJAP0A<br /></a><a href="https://www.facebook.com/SpaghettyTown/">https://www.facebook.com/SpaghettyTown/<br /></a><a href="https://www.instagram.com/spaghettytownrecords/">https://www.instagram.com/spaghettytownrecords/</a></div>Lord Rutledgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11808432134946889364noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4648868063318560725.post-39231826216499878012024-02-09T10:17:00.003-05:002024-02-09T14:19:54.054-05:00The Sleveens - self titled <div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhitTQUJt02TchRSPNhACXWzuGeA9nag-bpzOthn8cLX9Y26m-K0Qn4a3zzyVwjOvcqtiy2PSDCX6WnnBUO02rzEWJ_GUwpqXDYqpXe1UT160sqFHm0mhy3iCYfF4xWevLtus-Ix0jZ2l90Ugu3d1OlNgJPwjybNc6Ovo26DVlXOE9RWnnO1zsd3okI4kk/s1200/a0104280039_10%20(1).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1198" data-original-width="1200" height="319" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhitTQUJt02TchRSPNhACXWzuGeA9nag-bpzOthn8cLX9Y26m-K0Qn4a3zzyVwjOvcqtiy2PSDCX6WnnBUO02rzEWJ_GUwpqXDYqpXe1UT160sqFHm0mhy3iCYfF4xWevLtus-Ix0jZ2l90Ugu3d1OlNgJPwjybNc6Ovo26DVlXOE9RWnnO1zsd3okI4kk/s320/a0104280039_10%20(1).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />I knew The Sleeveens were something special within thirty seconds of hearing them for the very first time. Here was a band that was totally up my alley yet absolutely unique and original. The singer was a a poet and a presence. The band had chops for days. The music had power and guts but also made me want to sing along and get up and dance. <a href="https://sweettime.bandcamp.com/album/give-my-regards-to-the-dancing-girls">"Give My Regards To The Dancing Girls"</a> struck me as an instant classic and a true anthem of our times. I was immediately left wanting more, and thankfully I didn't have long to wait. Out today on Dirtnap Records, the self-titled debut album from The Sleveens is the best punk rock record I've heard in a damn long time. It will delight fans of classic British and Irish punk rock, yet it feels fully fresh and current in the year 2024. </div><div><br /></div><div>The Sleeveens were born when Irish songwriter Stef Murphy (Count Vaseline/The Mighty Stef) and Stiff Little Fingers guitar tech Jamie Mechan met in Nashville, Tennessee and immediately formed a musical partnership. With the addition of Ryan Sweeney (Cheap Time) and Eli Steele (Sweet Knives), the band's lineup became complete. The group wasted little time establishing itself as a formidable live act, and "Give My Regards To The Dancing Girls" was released to tremendous acclaim on Sweeney's Cheap Time Records. The full album will quickly dispel any speculation that the brilliance of the single was some kind of beginners' luck. Murphy, a gifted songwriter with a background in a number of musical styles, brings something different to the '77 punk rock 'n' roll style. </div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><i>The Sleveens </i>will no doubt bring to mind the heyday of record labels like Chiswick, New Rose and Stiff Records along with hints of early Clash and Stiff Little Fingers. But those broad influences are just one part of a sophisticated musical identity. No two songs sound alike, and The Sleeveens prove themselves adept at everything from punchy pub rockers to aggressive punk rippers to heartfelt ballads to pure pop songs. Recut for the album, "Give My Regards To The Dancing Girls" is sped-up and stripped to its essence — yet no less of an anthem. "Metallica Font," the album's second advance single, is a powerful ode to friendship and a blistering slab of rock 'n' roll. In a perfect world, "Aretha Franklin" would go viral and prompt the masses far and wide to adopt "Pissing in the eyes of your racist uncle!" as their new mantra. "Dry Cider," a nearly six-minute slow-burn, meets every definition of an epic. "Glory Holes" combines the creativity of post-punk with the speed and force of hardcore. "Tales from the Megaplex" channels the fury of first generation street punk in a fully modern context. "Paulie Says" is the kind of perfect pop song all great punk bands ought to be able to write. Oh, and there's an Undertones cover as well!</div><div><br /></div><div>On their full-length debut, The Sleeveens deliver a bulletproof release. I can't find a sub-par track, and different songs emerge as favorites every day depending on my mood. Murphy's lyrics are some of the best I've heard in recent rock 'n' roll — and when he sings, there's no question he means every word. Dirtnap Records is no stranger to consequential albums in the modern punk universe, and it has another game-changer on its hands with <i>The Sleeveens</i>. Of course those hooks can't be denied, and this band rocks like a motherfucker. Beyond that, this is music that's life-affirming, exciting, and full of passion. Something tells me I won't lose much sleep trying to decide on a number one album of 2024.<p><iframe seamless="" src="https://bandcamp.com/EmbeddedPlayer/album=4109219132/size=small/bgcol=ffffff/linkcol=0687f5/track=613431511/transparent=true/" style="border: 0; height: 42px; width: 100%;"><a href="https://dirtnaprecords.bandcamp.com/album/the-sleeveens-s-t">The Sleeveens "s/t" by Dirtnap Records</a></iframe><iframe seamless="" src="https://bandcamp.com/EmbeddedPlayer/album=4109219132/size=small/bgcol=ffffff/linkcol=0687f5/track=3545546622/transparent=true/" style="border: 0; height: 42px; width: 100%;"><a href="https://dirtnaprecords.bandcamp.com/album/the-sleeveens-s-t">The Sleeveens "s/t" by Dirtnap Records</a></iframe></p></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="mailto:fasterandlouderblog@gmail.com">-L.R.</a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="mailto:fasterandlouderblog@gmail.com"><br /> </a><a href="https://dirtnaprecords.bandcamp.com/album/the-sleeveens-s-t">https://dirtnaprecords.bandcamp.com/album/the-sleeveens-s-t<br /></a><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6C43bl6Ow58&list=OLAK5uy_kmZR3nFpQvZBnGHfYCRelL8OpZxhdm7bc">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6C43bl6Ow58&list=OLAK5uy_kmZR3nFpQvZBnGHfYCRelL8OpZxhdm7bc<br /></a><a href="https://open.spotify.com/album/088ADgTsONAbSusEVRkjWp">https://open.spotify.com/album/088ADgTsONAbSusEVRkjWp<br /></a><a href="https://www.instagram.com/thesleeveens/">https://www.instagram.com/thesleeveens/<br /></a><a href="https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100091638910253">https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100091638910253<br /></a><a href="https://www.youtube.com/@thesleeveens">https://www.youtube.com/@thesleeveens<br /></a><a href="https://thesleeveens.com/">https://thesleeveens.com/</a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/DirtnapRecords">https://www.facebook.com/DirtnapRecords</a><br /></div>Lord Rutledgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11808432134946889364noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4648868063318560725.post-1179832724406172332024-02-08T06:47:00.004-05:002024-02-08T06:47:35.461-05:00Owen Adamcik - One Way Owen<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQkYSRU-Io_3xA2JVwrJGEqTDehehOaVzVe57QyK9DPRfjvWSYLPF9SajBfBWi-QVB_l3JipGCkSz61fGrohlER4HnBThF5XyE3mtY3OpHIoCS6F3y3PzUAk6qEkmx0buDvpP8O8y0ctVuVNvkMfpLTEtcbD7YcASs0196nPt5_JlX1KgGmfT9GFEqCT0/s1200/a0842868135_10.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQkYSRU-Io_3xA2JVwrJGEqTDehehOaVzVe57QyK9DPRfjvWSYLPF9SajBfBWi-QVB_l3JipGCkSz61fGrohlER4HnBThF5XyE3mtY3OpHIoCS6F3y3PzUAk6qEkmx0buDvpP8O8y0ctVuVNvkMfpLTEtcbD7YcASs0196nPt5_JlX1KgGmfT9GFEqCT0/s320/a0842868135_10.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />The second installment in Owen Adamcik's <i>Power Pop Paradise</i> series — which promises to be a monthly event — is titled <i>One Way Owen</i> and available now for your streaming pleasure. The prolific Orlando-based teenage songwriter has made a seamless transition from punk rock to power pop. Last month's <i>The Owens </i>was an exceptionally promising release, and <i>One Way Owen </i>is even better. This EP retains the home-recorded charm of its predecessor, but it finds Adamcik progressing in his recording process with the addition of real drums and amps. Again he favors efficient song structures and an emotionally direct style. Only one of these five tracks exceeds the two-minute mark, yet there's nothing about these songs that feels half-assed or incomplete. Adamcik's talent for crafting a simple but irresistible hook is undeniable. And on this release in particular, the strain in his voice really adds to the sincerity of the material (I'm reminded a little of a young Mikey Erg). Adamcik is clearly a student of power pop history, and he fully gets the timelessness of the style. As long as humans exist, love songs will never go out of fashion. If you're a power pop fan, the promise of monthly EPs from Owen Adamcik for the foreseeable future ought to have you really excited.<div><p><iframe seamless="" src="https://bandcamp.com/EmbeddedPlayer/album=244103574/size=small/bgcol=ffffff/linkcol=0687f5/track=2459615618/transparent=true/" style="border: 0; height: 42px; width: 100%;"><a href="https://owenadamcik.bandcamp.com/album/one-way-owen">One Way Owen by Owen Adamcik</a></iframe><iframe seamless="" src="https://bandcamp.com/EmbeddedPlayer/album=244103574/size=small/bgcol=ffffff/linkcol=0687f5/track=658849803/transparent=true/" style="border: 0; height: 42px; width: 100%;"><a href="https://owenadamcik.bandcamp.com/album/one-way-owen">One Way Owen by Owen Adamcik</a></iframe></p><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="mailto:fasterandlouderblog@gmail.com">-L.R.</a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="mailto:fasterandlouderblog@gmail.com"><br /></a><a href="https://owenadamcik.bandcamp.com/album/one-way-owen">https://owenadamcik.bandcamp.com/album/one-way-owen<br /></a><a href="https://open.spotify.com/album/1ZhLN8QkFeAxP2D7kA9ntl">https://open.spotify.com/album/1ZhLN8QkFeAxP2D7kA9ntl<br /></a><a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC7oWJDtoJg2gtd6_9fkpGCg">https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC7oWJDtoJg2gtd6_9fkpGCg<br /></a><a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCvmfP7zC68KYAi_v53R6Qpg">https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCvmfP7zC68KYAi_v53R6Qpg<br /></a><a href="https://www.instagram.com/owenadamcik/">https://www.instagram.com/owenadamcik/</a></div><p></p></div>Lord Rutledgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11808432134946889364noreply@blogger.com0