Brom Bones - resist a rest

Forgive the cliche, but Brom Bones are aging like fine wine (or maybe like a great imperial stout since I'm more of a beer guy). Representing Lancaster, Pennsylvania for 30 years and counting, this punk rock foursome just might have turned out the album of its life with the newly released resist a rest. Incredibly, this is the first time Brom Bones have released an album on vinyl. And given that fact, the band has endeavored to sell most of the LP copies before it makes the album available for download. That ought to work out just fine. Resist a rest is definitely an album worth owning on vinyl. It's a vintage Brom Bones record in the respect that it brings melody, emotion, and power in equal doses. Yet it's also indicative of a band that has been progressing, evolving, and constantly striving to be better for three decades.

To say the members of Brom Bones have strong chemistry would be a huge understatement. Jason, Matt, and Chris have been in this together from the beginning. And Dustin, the "new guy", has been on board for 20 years! They are clicking on all cylinders here: Matt and Dustin locked in tight on bass and drums, Chris dishing out punchy riffs and note-perfect melodic leads, and Jason singing with as much heart, sincerity, and likeability as ever. And Greg "Rex" Litwin makes a special guest appearance - playing stunning guitar on three tracks! I suppose more than a few people assume that a band named Brom Bones would be horror-themed, but far better frames of references would be later '80s melodic punk and post-hardcore. The band has been putting its own spin on melody-driven punk rock for decades, and more recent releases like 2017's Get Down. Stay Down. have offered a fresh take on that old school style with lyrics reflecting the experiences of adults navigating life in the modern world. But while resist a rest is full of thoughtful songs and some of the band's most sophisticated compositions to date, the first thing I noticed about it is that it really rocks! This album was recorded and mixed by Steve Puffer, who exquisitely captures the band's ever-growing pop sensibility while still playing up a big, hard-hitting sound. The guitars totally blast, the bass lines really pop, and those choruses have never sounded more rousing and anthemic.

As great as resist a rest sounds, the material is every bit as impressive. Songs like "Cats & Dogs" and "Drop Out" find the band operating in its tuneful punk wheelhouse and of course are immediately satisfying. "Don't Sleep" delivers this album's definitive mosh pit moment a la Get Down. Stay Down's classic track "Short Fuse". But the more subtle and deliberately-paced tracks are what ultimately distinguish this album. "Subdivision" might be my favorite of the 12 tracks. Rather than knocking you over the head upon contact, it pulls you in slowly with a strong connection between words and melody. It's a perfect example of how to do thoughtful music with power, and it displays some of Brom Bones' finest songwriting yet. "Hard Lesson" starts out with simple melodies and acoustic guitar, and then flows seamlessly into a punk tune with the same basic qualities. "Fugander" demonstrates that "serious" punk music doesn't need to be dull or pompous. I, like many people, was very interested to hear how the band would memorialize original member Sean Wolfe on "Out Comes A Wolfe". I must say I was pretty blown away. If you ever had the chance to speak to someone on the other side that you loved dearly, wouldn't you want to say everything that was on your mind? That's essentially what this song does. It's honest, intensely personal, and deeply human - all of the things that a song of this nature ought to be. 

Following my review of Brom Bones' previous album, an anonymous commentator responded,  "Dudes are rad as fuck, and the sound is that as well". I almost considered using that as my full review of resist a rest! It's been on my mind that this band ought to be better known outside of south central Pennsylvania, and perhaps this will be the album that makes that happen. By turns reflective, serious, heartfelt, existential, and joyful (check out "Her Song"), these songs capture a band at the height of the mastery of its craft. The basic influences have never really changed, but they've been fully absorbed into Brom Bones' own musical identity. A band these guys started 30 years ago is going so strong today that they can genuinely look at this record and know it's the best one they've ever made. And there's a good chance that they'll make another one in a year or two that will be even better! It's inspiring to hear a group of guys my age who so clearly believe that our middle years should be spent still climbing the hill rather than sliding down it. Unless I'm reading it way wrong, the idea of living fully and never slowing down is a central theme of this album. Longtime fans will be stoked. And if you're into '70s punk, old DC and Youth Crew hardcore, and punk music leaning pop, perhaps this band could be an exciting new discovery for you. Bandcamp download price will not be reduced until they get the LPs sold. So if you like what you hear, treat yourself to a record!

  
-L.R.

https://brombones.bandcamp.com/album/resist-a-rest
https://www.facebook.com/brombonespa 

New Rotten Mind LP!

Is it just me, or has this been an especially tremendous year for punk LPs so far? Up there with the best of 'em is the second album from Sweden's Rotten Mind - a superb self titled effort on Lövely Records. What I appreciate about this release is how it takes what seem to be two contradictory styles of music (dark new wave and catchy melodic punk) and melds them so seamlessly that you can only conclude that they were meant to go together. While very much in line with modern-day Scandinavian post-hardcore, Rotten Mind is perhaps the one band from that movement that I'd consider most up my alley. Although I'm not the huge fan of moody post-punk that I used to be, Rotten Mind blends essential elements of that musical school into a form that's fully palatable to my Dickies and Buzzcocks loving sensibilities. It seems a tough task to make gloom rock this poppy without ruining the mood, but that's exactly what Rotten Mind has pulled off here. "Wish You Were Gone" had me hooked from the very start, and from there the quality tracks just keep coming. The lead guitar work - such a linchpin of good melodic punk - is especially impressive. One part of me wants to get dressed in black and lock myself in a dark room with this LP for hours. The other wants to whistle these melodies as I march merrily about my day. Truly an album for all occasions!



-L.R.

https://lovelyrecords.bandcamp.com/album/rotten-mind-rotten-mind
https://www.facebook.com/rottenmindua/

New album from Brom Bones!

Much to my chagrin, I have no recollection of ever reviewing a release from Brom Bones - unquestionably one of south central Pennsylvania's finest punk bands for 27 years and counting. I was, in my younger days, witness to a number of stunning live performances from this veritable institution of Lancaster, PA punk rock. It's perplexing to me how I never got my mitts on studio releases such as Cope (1998) and Apart (2001). Or maybe I did and just don't remember! Either way, it's a tremendous joy to receive Brom Bones in such fine form on their brand-new album Get Down. Stay Down. I have to question anyone who automatically passes on new releases from long-standing punk bands. And albums like this one are the reason why. Going back to the late '80s, Brom Bones have beautifully navigated the transitions from adolescence to adulthood to middle age - and you could make a good argument that they're now making the best music of their lives. This is a veteran, seasoned outfit that brings so much life experience to the table. Yet these guys haven't lost an ounce of the energy and enthusiasm that have driven their music from the start.  

Get Down. Stay Down. is vintage Brom Bones: powerful, melodic, and full of genuine lyrical substance delivered with tremendous conviction by outstanding vocalist Jason Berlet. It takes me back to a great time in music - when the contents of your record collection might have ranged from Dag Nasty to Minor Threat to The Descendents to The Replacements. And while it's a tricky maneuver to hold strong to those roots while continuing to grow as a band, Brom Bones are pulling it off like pros. Not only does the band sound terrific, but the material shines as well. "Short Fuse" is the perfect song to play at earsplitting volumes when you're pissed off at the world and seeking deliverance from a shitty day. "War Generation" - the very definition of a sing-along anthem - has had me head-bobbing and air-drumming in my computer chair all week long. "The Victim" delivers the kind of rugged, ripping punk rock that I just don't hear enough these days. And "The Mats" is a clever and loving homage to one of the two or three greatest bands to ever walk the earth.

If Get Down. Stay Down. is your first exposure to Brom Bones, the album ought to get you very excited about checking out the band's extensive back catalog (which you can do over at Bandcamp). And longtime fans will not be surprised to discover that Brom Bones are still killing it after all these years. Whether you're a fan of '80s post-hardcore & old school pop-punk or just someone who appreciates punk music that's full of intelligence and heart, I strongly recommend the $10 investment in Get Down. Stay Down. It will easily go down as one of the year's top albums. The band has dedicated it to the memory of original member Sean Wolfe - a brilliant talent and one of the best human beings I've ever had the good fortune to know.



-L.R.

https://brombones.bandcamp.com/album/get-down-stay-down 
https://www.facebook.com/brombonespa 

Meet Breaklights!

Back in the 2000s, I was a big fan of a wonderful pop-punk band out of Texas called Joe Jitsu. It has probably been close to ten years (maybe more!) since the last time I reviewed Joe Jitsu, and I'm pleased as punch that the band's lead singer Charlie and drummer Tron are still going strong in the punk world. After Joe Jitsu disbanded, Charlie and Tron formed Closet Drama - which leaned more in an indie power pop direction. And now they're in Breaklights - a band that shares three members with Closet Drama. Based out of Austin, Breaklights originally formed in 2012 but never really got going as a band until January of this year. They've just released a fine debut EP called Instructed To Fail which was recorded at Hanson's private studio in Tulsa with the great Stephen Egerton producing.

I think the obvious difference between Closet Drama and Breaklights is that the latter are a proper return to Charlie and Tron's punk roots. The main songwriting inspiration here is '90s punk rock. I'm reminded so much of what they used to call "post-hardcore" or "melodicore" or "emocore" back in the day. But in 2016, I think it's better just to say that Breaklights play pop-punk for adults. The songs are melody-driven for sure, but there's a real sophistication to the way that they're written. And this isn't a band that feels compelled to play at light speed. Of course you're getting a polished sound with Egerton producing - and those dense, crunching guitars really suit this band. With his warm and engaging vocal presence, Charlie is the rare singer that can exude sincerity without coming across as a total sap. As soon as the vocals came in, it was like I was hanging out with an old friend. These four songs have a nice mellowed-out vibe to them - along with strong hooks and plenty of guitar wallop. Somehow "Fakeout" and "Drag Me Down" take me straight back to 1995 yet still sound very much "right now". That says an awful lot about the staying power and continuing relevance of pop-punk. "Mainstay" and "Attached To You" almost cross over into power pop - finding a perfect middle ground Joe Jitsu and Closet Drama.

All in all, this is quite an impressive debut EP for a band that's just six months removed from its first practice. I've been listening to it in my car for a few weeks now, and I just don't tire of it! If you had told me in 2005 that Charlie and Tron would still be playing punk music in 2016, I would have hoped it was going to sound like this. I'm excited to hear more!



-L.R.

https://breaklights.bandcamp.com/album/instructed-to-fail
https://www.facebook.com/breaklights/