Review Summary: Perhaps being one of the last true D.I.Y. bands, Bomb The Music Industry craft a fast and loud punk album, complete with keyboard sections and acoustic tunes.
Coming off the heels of their debut disc
Album Minus Band which very much kept alive the ideas of do it yourself, Bomb the Music Industry sought out to continue making music by immediately beginning to write for
To Leave or Die in Long Island which would cement their reputation as not only being consistent in releases, but staying true to their style of music and keeping it for the kids. Comprised of 8 songs that last shorter than 25 minutes, its quite an easy listen; and with the very fun and active keyboard held down by Laura Stevenso. Switching vocal styles and sometimes seemingly going from Against Me! to HORSE the Band, Bomb the Music Industry(!) gives us an interesting listen with their sophomore album, good lyrics and musicianship lead the way on this journey.
Before the review can focus on the music presented, it the point must be made that Bomb the Music Industry are very unlike any other band active today, maybe ever. For instance, they offer their 3 albums for free at shows as long as people bring blank Cd's. How do they have the rights to their music and the ability to do what they wish with what they have made? Self producing it helps, being on the roster of Quote Unquote Records. Cheating themselves out of a profit? Perhaps, but the gesture and the fact that they still get by without making the cash that normal bands do while producing great music is astonishing. Speaking of live shows, have you ever heard of a band who invites audience members who bring instruments and know how to play the songs to play them on stage? Me either, and the benefit of all this is that the music they are playing is good as well.
A thing about the band that stands out is the real rough sound they get out of their singing section which a lot of the time does sound like screaming, but not in the traditional sense of the word. Take for instance the first song,
"Happy Anterrabae Day!!! where we are introduced to the upcoming noises by a high pitched and repeated keyboard noise. Loud guitar noise soon comes in and they jam until band leader Jeff Rosenstock comes in with inaudible lyrics played very loudly. This point of the album worries people, for they are scared this could sound like the entire rest of the album and that it is just one big piece of furry noise. Indeed this song is a blitz of noise, and includes a chorus of
"Na Na Na Na Na Na Na Na Naa!"'s but Rosenstock still continues to write and clear the image of the band being braindead freaks with their amps up to 11.
"We'll drink some beers (or if you're straight edge, we'll drink cola)/ and we'll talk about how much we both liked Scarface./You'll back down because you're homophobic. Yes funny lyrics relating to both the hardcore scene and Al Pachino movies are in this song about some day. This track is nuts, listen to it if you like things that are nuts.
The next track takes a real life event and adds goops of exaggeration to it, but at least its a real story to begin with.
"Congratulations, John, On Joining Every Time I Die is not the story of Bomb the Music Industry guitarist John taking the bass playing role of the popular metalcore band,
Every Time I Die. The sad story is full of mockery (
"Congratulations! Go stretch your ears and get a neck tattoo./Congratulations! All of our friends knew there was no better choice than you."), crushed feelings (
"I hope you know that Christine’s gonna ask you to get into all your shows for free/And I will smile while silently resenting you for quitting Bomb the Music Industry!"), and realizations of character ("
Nice going asshole. (x4)"). While the actual song is so much better than that rough outline makes it out to be, the chorus which consists of the 3 word phrase being repeated is something to listen for, a musicgasm of all the instruments minus the horn section coming together and wishing their former brother the best.
While it is nice while it lasts, the hard rockin' and mocking of former members of the band cannot last forever. The final track, entitled
"Syke! Life is AWESOME!" realizes the potential of happy days on the horizon, and also setting the keyboard to high pitch status in joining the harmonizing Rosenstock on his craaazy voice. While the instrument of choice begins with acoustic, it builds up to be joined by electric, the rhythm section, and then pulling in everything including the brass section for playing over the chorus and having some melodies of their own.
Syke! Life is AWESOME! provides a good outlook on life, and is a great way to end the record.
They have a cool name, they have wacky song titles and even crazier songs, so why wouldn't you at least give them a shot? Want more incentive? As previously mentioned, their songs are available for free on their website (http://www.bombthemusicindustry.com) so you don't have to worry about buying anything and being disappointed. Bomb! are a hard working bunch that deserve all the thanks they can get, it takes barely any time at all to download their songs for free, and you'll probably like em, so why not?
