Chokign Victim/Leftover Crack - Born to Die

I only have the LOC version of this song, so ima use that.
The song starts off with 3 soft chords, a piano and a choir. Than the vocals come in with "Born to die, and you get to sit and watch your TV set believe the lies before your eyes." Than repeats the same chords as well as intro verse. And gets into the song using the same 3 chords and finishing off the first stanza. It does a little interlude and goes to the thrashy-ska part for the verse. Goes into a faster distored 3 chords and goes back to the thrashy-ska part for another verse. It follows the verse with another fast, distored 3 chords, and goes to a vslw break down. Than either stza or ezra go "Cha" and the kick ***, yet easy solo kicks in being followd by another fast 3 chords. Another slow break down comes with the lyrics "gone to bed
God is dead lies and truth are in my head your history, society, economy it isnt me" And in comes another fast distorted guitar riff and pretty much ends the song on "we are born to die" and a long climatic ending. The lyrics are out standing, like all of LOC/Choking V's lyrics are. As well as the music. The mix of crust, ska, metal, punk, dub, and possibly hip hop makes the crack rock steady sound a genra in its self. I give this song 10/10.

Recomendations:
Makind? - Its not tv, Its Reality(Anarcho Punk/Crust)
Cage - Agent Orange (Hip Hop)
4-skins - I dont Wanna Die (punk)
Rudimentary Peni - Sacrafice (Anarcho Punk)
Erik Peterson - Boycot Me (folk/punk)
Scorpians - Rock You like A Hurricane(Classic rock/heavy metal)

[center][b][i]Erik Petersen - Boycott Me![/i][/b][/center]

So Forced Listening means that you're supposed to review something you've never listened to before and for the last couple of weeks I've listened to little else than Erik Petersen but I'm still going to review this song. I sometimes wonder even if I'm listening am I actually hearing? Erik Petersen is someone you can have on in the background as his music is incredibly catchy and easy to listen to but at the same time there can be a deeper meaning.

The rallying cry of Boycott Me, the phrase around which the song revolves, is "I'd rather taste a rebel's glory than drink blood from your cup" which may be dismissed as simple rebel posturing but whatever you think of it, it is undeniably a powerful image, one which invites the listener to put themselves in that situation. Everyone likes to think they'd opt for the romanticism and bravery of "a rebel's glory" but in reality the choice is harder however, this is still an epic proclamation, a powerful slogan equal with Petersen's best such as "Roll Me Through the Gates of Hell" in its defiant stance and ability to inspire.

Petersen can do more than simply issue a call to arms, his imagery is also fantastic. He opens the song with the image of a parade with "fife and snare marching through the square" and "stencilled flags of insurrection dancing through the air" personifying these crudely made symbols of defiance while he makes no mention of the marchers themselves. Here he's making the point that it's people actions that define them, that all you need to know is that people are defying authority, not who they are. This is another powerful image that illustrates Petersen lyrical talent.

With the image of the parade, Petersen is far from a lone rebel in this song. Through use of reference he establishes himself as a rebel in context talking of "a Thomas Paine of modern day" absorbing and conveying the 18th century pamphleteer's most famous beliefs (that all men are essentially equal) in just one line. He also speaks of "those who rode the rails" and "those in jail". The romantic image of riding the rails is one entrenched in American culture and conjurs up figures such as Woody Guthrie, someone else who stood up for what he believed in. The talk of "those in jail" is perhaps more important bringing to mind people such as Nelson Mandela and Mumia Abu-Jamal who on closer inspection appears to be the subject of this song, the modern day Thomas Paine.

Abu-Jamal was convicted of killing a policeman and has been on death row ever since despite repeated calls for his release and mounting evidence of his innocence. In jail he has become a celebrated radical writer coining such phrases as "Today's Empires, Tommorrow's Ashes." Petersen talks of "liberty being cracked within its bells" referencing the famous Liberty Bell of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania the state where Abu-Jamal was convicted of the crime drawing parallels between the American ideal of freedom (as espoused by Paine) and how it contrasts with the reality. He also uses the line "demons in your heavens and angels in your hell" to highlight the fact that those who are supposed to uphold justice, the police and courts, are in fact not as high and mighty as they seem and those languishing in prison are not always the demons though they are the demonised. He also allies himself with Abu-Jamal with the line "F.O.P. boycott me" instructing the Fraternal Order of Police to add him to the list of businesses and people they boycott due to their support of Abu-Jamal and contributions to his defence fund.

Towards the end of the song Petersen looks to the future stating "The scorned few of today are the heroes of tommorrow" and predicting a time when people such as Abu-Jamal and their beliefs are co-opted by a government seeking to establish itself as supporting liberty by putting these once reviled figures on stamps. Petersen decries this, drawing contrast with the first verse of the song, by saying "we'll hope they're not forgotten" implying that whilst for a group of people such as those in the parade at the start it is their collective actions and symbolic nature that counts, someone like Abu-Jamal should be remembered as an individual for their words and beliefs rather than simply a face on a stamp.

While I have concentrated on the lyrics musically it is brilliant too starting with an almost fiddle-like tune perfectly segueing into a brilliant rolling rhythm that perfectly complements the lyrics. Petersen's voice is perfect for the song too, exactly the right mixture of harsh and tuneful.

This is a brilliant song. Before I started this review I completely missed the references to Abu-Jamal, I hadn't properly thought about what Petersen was saying, but that doesn't mean my previous interpretation was wrong. Petersen is talented enough to provide a song at once highlighting a particular case of injustice but at the same time proving a rallying call for those who wish to defy a corrupt authority of "demons in their heavens" and lambasting parents who curb their children's natural (as Thomas Paine would see it) instincts for freedom and questioning things. This ability is summed up in one line when he says "Spread word all around" which can be seen as both satirically telling all the parents to spread word about the wrongness of Abu-Jamal and Petersen and a rallying call for people who believe in either (or both) freedom and Abu-Jamal to draw attention to these issues. The songs two messages are perfectly articulated by Petersen's insistent voice that never leaves you in doubt of his sincerity and backed up by the simple guitar which echoes the attitude of the lyrics.

You need to listen to this song and you need to listen to Erik Petersen. This is just my interpretation, listen to the song and maybe you'll find your own meanings. For those mourning the fate of Against Me! he is a light in the darkness, someone to believe in and singalong with.

He. F[u]u[/u]cking. Rocks.

10/10 Did you ever think it would get another rating?

[b]Choose from:[/b]
Phil Ochs - Draft Dodger Rag (Folk)
Gordon Lightfoot - Canadian Railroad Trilogy (Folk)
Old Crow Medicine Show - Wagon Wheel (Folk/Bluegrass)
Erik Petersen - Olde Tyme Mem'ry (Folk-punk)
Mischief Brew - The Lowly Carpenter (Folk-punk)
Captain Chaos - I've Figured Out How I Feel About You (Folk-punk)

[b]Gmail:[/b] sketchyjoe

[B]Captain Chaos - I've Figured Out How I Feel About You[/B] (3:05)

The singer and music begins at the same time. The singer sounds like Chris from Ghost Mice. The lyrics are of him robbing a store, or something. I like it because it's telling a story and that's more catchy, lyric wise. "I wouldn't worry about being free, just want people to listen to me sing." His lyrics are great and they perfectly show his desire in this world, and what his inspirations mean to him, even through plight. The music remains the same throughout the entire song and it ends with the resolution of the story. Very good song.

[B]9/10.[/B]

Recommendations:
The Afghan Whigs - Crazy [Alt./Rock]
Owen - Accidently [Indie]
Propagandhi - March Of The Crabs [Prog-Thrash]

Afghan Whigs- Crazy

Okay Ive read good things about these guys, som its about time to try them on for size. My first impression of this song is that its something I can hear if I just flip on the radio. The singers voice is kinda boring nothing original about it. The same two chords repeat over and over. It sseems like this is meant to be an uplifting song, sorta is to an extent. I do like the guitar solo, the rest is kinda meh.

Reccos

The Fall- How I Wrote the Elastic Man ( Post-Punk/Rockabily)
Swell Maps- Read About Seymour ( Post-Punk/ Pop Punk)
Neil Young- Out on a Weekend (Folk/Rock)
Xiu Xiu- Muppet Face (Indie)
Tom Waits- Shake It (Blues/Avant Garde)

Neil Young-Out on The weekend

Starts with a simple slow drum beat and some harmonica. then his vocals come in, theyre not great but good. the guitar has a countryish twang at some parts. the chorus is good, but i think it could be a bit more powerful. then the harmonica comes back in, thats really cool. the songwriting is really good. his singing gets kind of annoying after a while though. cool song, but its a bit too repetitive.

7.5/10

Recommendations:
Happy time-Tim Buckley
Don't Mess around with Jim-Jim croce
soul sammich-pietasters
i used to be a king-graham nash
now i wanna sniff some glue-ramones
superficial love-TSOL
we laugh at danger and break all the rules-against me!

[center][b][i]The Ramones - Now I Wanna Sniff Some Glue[/i][/b][/center]

It's The Ramones. It's a catchy 90 second poppy punk tune about the desire to inhale sniff solvents comprising of 4 lines which tell you that. The singer wants to sniff some glue, the singer wants something to do and these wished are also shared by 'the kids'. If you don't like THe Ramones, this won't convert you. It's a lot more stop-start than their typical stuff but it's still unmistakably The Ramones. What were you expecting? Sartre set to music?

7/10

[b]Choose from:[/b]
[url=http://delerone.net/riot-folk/Evan%20Greer%20-%20Ballad%20of%20the%20Last.mp3]Evan Greer - The Ballad of the Last Six Months of my Life[/url] (Folk)
Good Clean Fun - A Little Bit Emo, A Little Bit Hardcore (Hardcore-punk)
Old Crow Medicine Show - Wagon Wheel (Folk/Bluegrass)
Erik Petersen - Olde Tyme Mem'ry (Folk-punk)
Mischief Brew - The Lowly Carpenter (Folk-punk)
Butthole Surfers - Lord is a Monkey (Rock)
Bad Brains - Don't Bother Me (Hardcore-punk)

[b]Gmail:[/b] sketchyjoe

Good Clean Fun - A Little Bit Emo, A Little Bit Hardcore

I have recently download (half) this album, but have yet to listen to any of the songs. The guitar fades in to open the song, as if it was being connected from a previous track, but alas, it is the first track of the album. Soon enough a powerful drumline kicks in, powerful, because it is loud, the skill of the drummer or the actual line does not have much importance. When the lyrics begin, you can tell it's going to be somewhat of a story. The lyrics consist of the singer descrbing two individuals, an emo boy, and a hardcore girl, both quite stereotypical. Lots of singing along, so I might as well and try to learn this song, if I want to have a good time when I see them in February.

There's one thing I don't like about GCF (aside from the crappy, yet joking lyrics), the choruses. The singer's voice, in my opinion, is too.. positive. "She showed him Times Gone By, he showed her how to cry..." The jist of the chorus is that the two are blending their scenes together, sharing their bands and whatnot. I really like the part after the third verse, and also the ending of the song, when the singer sings by himself one line, and every other line the rest of the band sings along. The song ends on a good note, with "let's start-to-day!"

The end of the actual song is really lame, with a stupid which I am sure they are aware of. "Meanwhile, back at Posi HQ..."

Overall good song, 8/10, and I apologize for the lack of descriptions on the actual music, but I think this will suffice.

My Recommendations:
Born/Dead - Indigent (Hardcore punk)
Suicide Bid - Turning the Blind Eye (Dub)
Satori - Celebration (Ska/Reggae)

[QUOTE=]Suicide Bid - Turning The Blind Eye (3:35)[/QUOTE]

The song begins with a drum roll, speeds up, then slows down to the mundane dub/reggae beat. I like the music, and I like dub, so the song should be enjoyable. The singer isn't very linguistic. He has an accent, but it's hard to tell what he's saying... the lyrics sound cool though. The trumpet roars in the background, with the excellent bass and guitar up front. I really like this song so far. He then begins to rant like he was before, and the lyrics are excellent. Especially now that I can understand them better. The trumpet roars in the background, this time with a bit of chanting type singing. It goes back into the ranting about child labor. I agree with his stances, I only buy clothes from the USA. People that run those business are inhumane, definitely. Anyway, this song was excellent, if there other stuff is as political/social and similar to this one; I will definitely pick up their CD. Very, very well done.

[B]8.7/10.[/B]

Recommendations:
Sufjan Stevens - John Wayne Gacy, Jr. [Indie]
Third Eye Blind - Blinded [Alt./Rock]
Propagandhi - Life At Disconnect [Prog-Thrash]

Being that i used to listen to Third Eye Blind way back in their "Jumper" days, and that i dont really listen to em anymore. I thought itd be good to refresh my ole noggin. Blinded starts off with a quick drum beat, which lead me to believe it was going to be a fast song, than it broke down to a single chord being played on a guitar. The chord goes for awhile than the lyrics come in. The music is a little bland, and doesnt have much change in it till the chours, which is also bland. Hes singing about a girl he once loved. And hes saying that when he sees this woman(or man) it stops him in his place with his/her beauty. The song is mid tempo, not too fast not too slow. It also gets some what repetitive after a while. It seems the singer wants to be back with his ex, which he still dearly cares for, kinda boring and generic, but its cool, ima listen to the rest of the album now. I give it a 2.786/5

Recomendations:
Dystopia- Igorance of Pride(grind/crust)
Eyedea and Abilities - Now(hip-hop)
OneWordSolution - Walls with out Windows(punk)
Boy Sets Fire - Release the Dogs(hardcore/melodic)
OPM - Heaven Is a Halfpipe (alternative/hip-hop)
the cure - Just Like Heaven (new wave)
Lynched - Round and Round (cello/irish)
Wake up on Fire - Dust (Grind)

[B]Eyedea and Abilities - Now[/B]

starts out with a drum roll and repeating some lyric over a few times (its actually 2 seperate ones but whatever).then its somewhat slow rapping(raping?), then its so fast that i have no clue whats being said, until he hits 'the worlsd is all asleep and i have no apploigies". and some more fast things that i can only pick apart a bit. then some repeating. and some slower words. and uh some music for about a min. then some more repeating then end.

its a bad review, but an okay song mabe 6/10, mabe



plea from a cat named virtue- the weakerthans
burn in hell- [error]
love rhymes with hideous car wreck- the blood brothers
two feet off the ground - the dead milkmen

[QUOTE=]The Blood Brothers - Love Rhymes With Hideous Car Wreck.[/QUOTE]

The song begins quite nicely, I suppose. I mean, at first it's very easy to listen to. It goes along and then whoever the hell is singing starts to scream. It's the most polished, homogenized, ineffably BAD scream that I have ever heard. In fact, I have to finish writing a speech, so I'm going to do that rather than sit here and waste my time on this horrible song. God, they must draw the line between pretentiousness and just plain being imbeciles.

[B]1.3/10.[/B]

[B]My recommendations:[/B]
Brand Nubian - All For One [Rap/Hip-Hop]
The Pharcyde - Runnin' [Hip-Hop]

There you go Eran.

[U]Brand Nubian - All For One[/U]

It starts off with a steady solid beat, and then the vocals come in. He's got a high voice, and he rhymes fast and neat. He carries on rapping for nearly two more minutes. It's pleasant to listen to, but it's hard to follow. The chorus comes in, three or four people singing it. Then it ends abruptly and the second rapper comes in. He has a high voice as well, but slightly more nasal than the previous. He doesn't rhyme the same. His rapping is more about the beat than the way the words fit. He almost creates a second beat with his voice. Then the chorus, and the third rapper. This rapper has an even more nasal voice, but slightly lower than the second rapper. He raps slower than the other two, but emphasises certain syllables that speed up the sentence. He doesn't carry on long, and it sounds more like a summation of the song than anything else.
They're no Public Enemy, but they're enjoyable. 7/10

The Skanksters - Duckie (Ska)
Alice In Chains - Rooster (Grunge/Metal)
The Byrds - Hang On Sloopy (Rock/Pop)
Dwarves - There Better Be Women (Hardcore/Punk)
Woodie Guthrie - Pretty Boy Floyd (Folk/Country)

The Skanksters - Duckie

Begins with clearly identifiable ska chords, and perhaps a bit generic, but you can tell it will be a fun song. I really like the horn line and the sound of the horns, they sound of poorer quality than the rest of the instruments, but are nice and gentle on the ears, and very catchy. "This is a story about a rude named Duckie..." Yeah, one of those story songs. I'm pretty sure Duckie is called a rude, even though rudie makes more sense lyrically and rhyme-wise. Oh well, Canadians are weird, and they're probably French, so they must have gotten lost in translation. It appears Duckie goes to a party and gets into some trouble. The vocals are female, and go along nicely with the fast-paced music, giving a hint of punk, due to the speed. The main difference from the chorus to the rest of the song are the horns, and the vocals become less distinguishable.

After another verse and chorus, there's a nice little break, where the song reverts back to the intro with the catchy horn line. Another verse, explaining Duckie's predicaments. Typical rude boy song describing a rudie getting in trouble. The song ends on a good note, continuing the horn line and adding a bit more. 8/10

Take that Joe (your two hours were up)

My Recommendations:
The Slackers - Old Dog (Ska)
Fearless Iranians From Hell - Land of the Free (Punk)
Binary Star - Conquistadors (Hip hop)

[center][i][b]Fearless Iranians From Hell - Land of the Free[/b][/i][/center]

This song is quite a typical mid-tempo 80s hardcore song along the lines of JFA's Beach Blanket Bongout. It starts of with a little guitar intro before a big DUN DUN DUN DUN DUN DUN leads into vocals. The vocals are standard 80s hardcore, snotty and abrasive with simple anti-authority lyrics. The music is cool with a lot more going on than you might suspect. The guitar work especially is really cool sounding with lots of scratchy fills and a nice little solo towards the end of the song. During the chorus there's a fantastic addition of dimly audible angelic choruses in the background. This isn't a fantastic song but I definitely enjoyed it. 7.5/10

[b]Choose from:[/b]
[url=http://delerone.net/riot-folk/Evan%20Greer%20-%20Ballad%20of%20the%20Last.mp3]Evan Greer - The Ballad of the Last Six Months of my Life[/url] (Folk)
[url=http://www.archive.org/download/jhatft2005-03-03.flac16/jhatft2005-03-03t05_vbr.mp3]Johnny Hobo & The Freight-Trains[/url] (Folk-punk)
Old Crow Medicine Show - Wagon Wheel (Folk/Bluegrass)
Erik Petersen - Olde Tyme Mem'ry (Folk-punk)
Mischief Brew - The Lowly Carpenter (Folk-punk)
Butthole Surfers - Lord is a Monkey (Rock)
Bad Brains - Don't Bother Me (Hardcore-punk)

[B]Evan Greer - The Ballad of the Last Six Months of my Life [/B]

I'm not going to go into detail to hear this song because it is really long.

This song has a lot of the same beat, but it is really amazing. The lyrics are great, and a lot of the talk about punk shows is relevant. This is really folky. It's also fast and upbeat. I like it a whole lot. It held my attention, and I am checking out more of this guy for sure. I'm sorry that was so brief, but yeah, I suggest it.

9/10

Reccomnedations:

Leftover Crack - Burn them Prisons

Toy Dolls - If You're In A Pop Group You'll End Up Paying A Fortune Practicing at Peter Practice's Practice Place

New York Dolls - Trash

Chaos UK - What About a Future

New York Dolls - Trash

I only just heard this off a New York Punk sampler CD that came with a magazine I bought. Been a NY Dolls fan for ages, but haven't actually heard "Trash" before. Definatly starts with a bang, hits straight away "Trash...", cool drum beat to it, nice changes in pace and style. I like it alot, not as much as say "Pills", or "Personality Crisis", but still pwns everything recorded in the last 10 years.

8/10.

The Dead Boys - All This And More (Punk)
Blondie - X Offender (New Wave)
John Cooper Clarke - I Fell In Love With An Alien Being (Spoken Word)
The Damned - Love Song (Punk)
Iron Maiden - Run To The Hills (Metal)
3 Inches Of Blood - Deadly Sinners (Power Metal)

[U]John Cooper Clarke - I Married A Monster From Outer Space[/U]

John Cooper Clarke was a punk poet from Liverpool in the 70's (I think). This is one of his most famous songs, though one of the worst, in my opinion. I'm a big fan, but this is crap compared to most of his other stuff.

This song has futuristic sounds all through, mostly computer noises. When his voice comes in, it has that robotic drone to it, like when you speak into a fan, which adds even more of a sci-fi feel to the song. It has a steady bass rhythm through-out. "I fell in love with an alien being/Who's skin was jelly who's teeth were green/She had the big bug eyes and the death ray Glare/feet like water wings, purple hair". This song at first seems like a joke song, though he slips in a line or two that may or may not have been a comment on racism to immigrants; "We walked out tentacle in hand/You could sense that the earthlings wouldn't understand/They'd go 'nudge nudge' when we got off the bus/Said 'It's extraterrestrial, not like us/It's bad enough with another race/But fu'ck me a monster from outer space.'" I like this little piece of commentary, and if it was during the 70's, I imagine it coincides with the influx of Pakistani immigrants. As the lyrics end, a weird electronic solo begins of various bleeps and random sounds. It ends with someone ringing a bike bell over and over, and what I think is a bass drum being kicked softly.
I like this song, it's cute, but I would reccommend other stuff by him.
6/10

John Cooper Clarke - Evidently Chicken Town (Punk/Poetry)
Sage Francis - The Time Of My Life (Hip-Hop/Rap)
Culture - Legalization (Reggae)
Eric Clapton - I Feel Free (Rock)
Nightwish - Bless The Child (Goth)

Fairly basic choice today, enjoy.

[b][i][center]Nightwish - Bless the Child[/b][/i][/center]
I can't help but like this song. It's absolutely ridiculous, but it's got the quality that Meatloaf shares of being so utterly preposterous that it somehow makes sense. There's lots of female-vocal choirs doing background vocals, a large dose of big heavy distorted guitar riffs, liberally garnished head-nodding beats, a nice helping of synthy keyboard lines, the occasional string section, cheesy spoken intros and outros and all topped off with some wailing vocals. Delicious. You can't help but head nod. This lyrics would be vomit-inducing in any other setting bu this is the sort of song that raises pretentiousness to an artform. It's very big, very silly, and very enjoyable. 8/10

[b]Choose from:[/b]
[url=http://www.archive.org/download/jhatft2005-03-03.flac16/jhatft2005-03-03t05_vbr.mp3]Johnny Hobo & The Freight-Trains - Acid Song[/url] (Folk-punk)
Old Crow Medicine Show - Wagon Wheel (Folk/Bluegrass)
Erik Petersen - Olde Tyme Mem'ry (Folk-punk)
Bob Dylan - Visions of Johanna (Folk-rock)
Mischief Brew - The Lowly Carpenter (Folk-punk)
Butthole Surfers - Lord is a Monkey (Rock)
Bad Brains - Don't Bother Me (Hardcore-punk)

[B]The Butthole Surfers - The Lord is a Monkey[/B]
I've honestly never heard the Butthole Surfers before, so this should be interesting. This song starts funky with a cool rock sound to it. So far so good. Then the lyrics come in. I like how they sound. It's kind of creepy and evil sounding. It fits the instruments pretty well.

The style of music isn't like anything I really listen to a lot, but I still like it. The guitar and stuff is pretty catchy and gets your foot tapping. The vocals fit the song nicely.

All in all, well done. I'm going to download more of the Butthole Surfers, fo' sho'.

8/10

[B][U]Choose from:[/U][/B]
[URL="http://www.archive.org/download/jhatft2005-03-03.flac16/jhatft2005-03-03t05_vbr.mp3"]Johnny Hobo - The Acid Song[/URL](folk-punk)
Erik Petersen - A Liquor Never Brewed (folk-punk)
Gogol Bordello - When the Trickster Starts a Pokin' (Bordello Kind of Guy) (gypsy-punk)
Toxic Narcotic - Whatever it Takes (grind)
Bomb the Music Industry - Big Plans of Sleeping In (ska/punk)
Ghost Mice - Cancer or Carwreck (folk-punk)
Kings of Nuthin' - Nailhead (punkish skaish folkish?)

Kings of Nuthin' - Nailhead

I have all of those songs except for Whatever it Takes and this one, and I chose this one because I've never heard Kings of Nuthin' before. Wow, like three seconds into the song I already like it quite a bit. I always knew Kings of Nuthin' were different from other punk bands from what others have said, in a creative sense, but I didn't expect this. The song begins with rough-sounding vocals and goes immediately into the chorus. This song sounds like a mix of punk vocals with a bunch of musicians you'd expect in a Mark Twain book. The song is very upbeat and fast, and makes you want to dance, but you probably wouldn't know how to dance to this crazy music because all we know how to do is skank like idiots.

The chorus comes up very quickly (within 15 seconds) and I believe they are yelling "she don't say", and some other mumbo jumbo. I really don't know what the hell this song is about, but it's good. The second verse is about the same length as the previous one, but that doesn't matter, because it's fifteen seconds of awesomeness followed by an awesome chorus. Following the chorus is a guitar solo, with a new, mini horn line. This part makes me think of a bunch of people drinking and dancing and having a good time, but like I said, in a Mark Twain book. The first part of the solo is really good, but then the middle of it doesn't seem to fit in quite as well. Another verse and another chorus, this one different from the other because it's the ending. Great song, 9/10, I'll definitely be downloading the rest of this album.

My Recommendations:
The Briggs - 13197 (Punk)
The Slackers - Old Dog (Ska)
The Sideburns - 4-4-1 (Ska)

[B]The Sideburns - 4-4-1[/B]

I have never heard of the Sideburns, but the name sounded cool, so I figured I'd check them out. I had no idea what to expect, but liked what I found. I'm not big on instrumentals, but I like this one.

It starts with the drums and bass for a couple seconds, before the guitar comes in. Immediately I start tapping my foot and wanting to dance around. Shortly after this, the horns start in. This really gets the song moving nicely. At certain slight pauses of the horns, a weird "weeeeaahh" can be heard. I don't know what it is, but it's cool.

The song continues in the same fashion until a little over a minute in, the horns stop for a short while. It's just the guitars and drum, and it's very catchy. It makes me think of Sublime. The horns come back in, and alternate for the rest of the song.

All of the instrument parts in this song are good, and make for some awesome traditional sounding ska. I'm going to download some more from these guys.

8.5/10

[B]My Recommendations:[/B]
Bomb the Music Industry! - Big Plans of Sleeping In (ska/punk)
Erik Petersen - A Liquor Never Brewed (folk-punk)
[URL="http://myspace.com/themidnightcowboys"]The Midnight Cowboys - Take That[/URL] (local punk)
[URL="http://myspace.com/flagofdemocracy"]Flag of Democracy (aka F.O.D.) - Mazinger Z[/URL] (punk/hardcore)
Morning Glory - Divide By (punk)
[URL="http://myspace.com/xenophobes"]The Xenophobes - Hang 'em High[/URL] (punk/psychobilly from a MX member's band)

Xenophobes - Hang 'em High

This song starts out fast, the vocals are decent psychobilly vocals. I wish there was some more bass, because that's usually my favorite part of psychobilly. The chorus is pretty short, and it's not that catchy. This isn't a very catchy song. The guitar has a lot of distoriton, and the guitarist seems at least decent. It's a decent song, but I doubt I'll be c hecking out any more from these guys.

6/10

[b]My REcommendations:[/b]
Damian Marley - Conrfontation (reggae/hip hop)
City of Caterpillar - And You're Wondering How A Top Floor Could Replace Heaven (screamo)
Moss Icon - Mirror (Early Screamo)
NoMeansNo - Big Dick

NoMeansNo - Big Dick

Song kicks off with a funk-as-f'uck bassline, which is used throughout the song. Great basslines are typical of Nomeansno, and the vocals play along with this. It reminds me of a more hardcore Minutemen - this is what Mike Watt would sound like in a more hardcore orientated band. After the chorus, the song changes, and there's a sweet drum pattern. The vocals are pretty good here, and they're even better when the funky bassline returns with the vocalist singing really fast. The outro consists of the singer talkin' to a girl and asking her to go back to his place 'n' stuff, whilst the funky riffs continue. This is a great song, really highlighting how talented the band are at their instruments. They bring tha' funk, and they bring it good. 9/10

[b]Recommendations:[/b]

Really Red - Too Political (80s hardcore)
The Slackers - Sarah (ska)
Sonic Youth - Teenage Riot (alt/post-punk)
Big Boys - Funk Off (funky 80s hardcore)
Fugazi - Turkish Disco (instrumental, short but damn sweet)
Bread and Roses - Bedtime For Plutocracy (folk punk)
Nas - Halftime (rap)

[center][b][i]The Big Boys - Funk Off[/i][/b][/center]

This song starts with a whistle which signals the bassline and drums to kick in. The drums are pretty mellow and smooth and the bassline, well, imagine the funkiest bassline you can, make it funkier, cover it in funk, and funk it up a bit. That's the bassline. And indeed the entire song. Some great horns kick in pretty soon, the guitar work is minimal but just adds to the funk. The vocals match the music perfectly. There's also judicious use of the whistle some cool background noises. The song is under two minutes but if it was any longer your head would probably explode from the funk. 9/10

[b]Choose from:[/b]
[url=http://www.archive.org/download/jhatft2005-03-03.flac16/jhatft2005-03-03t05_vbr.mp3]Johnny Hobo & The Freight-Trains - Acid Song[/url] (Folk-punk)
Old Crow Medicine Show - Wagon Wheel (Folk/Bluegrass)
Erik Petersen - Olde Tyme Mem'ry (Folk-punk)
Bob Dylan - Visions of Johanna (Folk-rock)
Mischief Brew - The Lowly Carpenter (Folk-punk)
The Jam - A Bomb in Wardour Street (Punk)
Bad Brains - Don't Bother Me (Hardcore-punk)
Joe Strummer & the Mescaleros - Bhindi Bhagee (World-punk)

Old Crow Medicine Show - Wagon Wheel

So I've been meaing to check out this band, my cousin said if I ever felt like bluegrass that I should check them out. I've heard the AM! version of this song, and liked it, hopefully this one's good too.

The song starts out with the same sounding guitar (or banjo?) as I have heard in AM!'s version, but soon a violin or some similar string insturment comes in, and it's a good addition I think. I like this guy's voice, really really country sounding. The words are sung faster than I'm used to for this song, and I like it better at this pace. I like this version better than AM!'s. It's a happier feel and has some good vocal and insturmental harmonies. I'll definitely be checking out more from this band.

8/10

[B]My Recommendations[/b]
On File - Used to be a Boot Boy (Oi!)
Inner Terrestrials - Free the Land (Anarcho/Reggae?)
Erik Petersen - Every Town Will Celebrate (Folk-Punk)
Kids Like Us - Don't Fake The Punk (Hardcore)

[B]Inner Terrestrials - Free the World

[/B]So I got this band's album a long time ago, gave it a quick listen, thought it was good, then didn't listen to it again. But it seems they have regained some popularity on mx so I decided I'll try them out again, especially since now I'm not a huge fan of anarcho like I used to be.

It starts slowly in what sounds like a Led Zeppelin/Folkesque guitar line. Then a flute line comes in. This song sounds like a Jethro Tull song because of the progish guitar and flute. The vocals come in and it is still very folky sounding. The guitar has a little wah going on that makes it even more prog rockish. Back to the flute line. Doesn't sound very reggae to me. Sounds like some sort of a folkanarcho. The vocals are a bit hard to understand, the guy has an accent. I really like the flute lines though, something new to a genre known for its boring and repeativiness (thanks Crass for pioneering a **** sound) Closer to the end it seems like it picks up a little, with the vocals getting gruf right before back going into a flute line. This flute line ends with heavily distorted guitar and really gruff vocals. This is the part where the violence is being called for. Then into a really fast rendention of the previous flute line and distorted guitars. Vocals repeat Free the Land until the song ends. Pretty good

8/10

You Must Listen To
Phil Ochs - I Ain't Marching Anymore [I][Folk][/I]
Jello Biafra with Chumbawamba - Heartbreak Hotel [Live] [I][Punk][/I]
Drive-By Truckers - The President's Penis is Missing [I][Alt. Country]
[/I]The Kodan Armada - If I Wanted to Hear the Beat of Your Heart I Would Rip It Out and Stick It Next to My Ear [I][Screamo][/I]
Mike Watt - Pissbags and Tubing [I][Post-Punk][/I]

[B]Mike Watt - Pissbags And Tubing[/B]

Mike Watt has to be one of my all time favourite musicians, his bassmanship particually with the Minutemen is groundbreaking in punk music for it's technical skill and for his ability to write great, funky basslines. After listening to Minutemen I checked out his various other projects such as Dos and fIREHOSE and finally took a listen to his solo work off his most recent album The Secondman's Middle Stand of which Pissbags And Tubing features. Now to the review.

This is an interesting song, not typical of what one would expect if listening to other Mike Watt work. The song starts with some pounding drums followed by some weird organ sounding noise and Watts bass. The bass really doesn't stand out to me like earlier Watt would although it does have it's moments during the 6:17 song. The song continues this way throughout most of the song, it's a somewhat catchy song with good sing along "pissbags and tubing" lyrics by Watt.

Watts vocals are enticing and they drew me into the song. His rough vocal styling are quite enjoyable if a bit underrated my alot of people. I think the real interesting part of this song is the lyrics. Before this album Watt was quite sick and this album is a concept album of his life at this time. It's interesting listening to the lyrics of the whole album and the differences between songs particually this song.

All in all it's and interesting song but lacks any real distinct Wattage compared to alot of his other work. Still an interesting listen, especially if you listen closely to the lyrics and understand the concept of the album.

7/10

[B]My Recommendations:[/B]
[URL="http://postpunkjunk.com/baseball_softboyfactory.mp3"]Baseball - Soft Boy Factory[/URL] (Newish Post Punk)
[URL="http://postpunkjunk.com/chavez_theguardattacks.mp3"]Chavez - The Guard Attacks[/URL] (Alternative)
Die! Die! Die! - Auckland Is Burning (New Post Punk/Post Hardcore)
DJ Shadow - Building Steam With A Grain of Salt (Trip Hop)
Television - Marquee Moon (Proto-Punk)

[center][b][i]Chavez - The Guard Attacks[/i][/b][/center]

This song starts really well with a great distorted riff that last about 20 seconds before the drums and a second smoother guitar comes in. Unfortunately the vocals come in and their very average. The same cool riff repeats for most of the song switching to a much more high-pitched one that builds up for the 'inspirational' chorus which fades away to the same riff. This is a cool song. The guitar really makes it. The vocals and lyrics are very average but the guitar lends it an edge which really works. 6.5/10

[b]Choose from:[/b]
[url=http://www.archive.org/download/jhatft2005-03-03.flac16/jhatft2005-03-03t05_vbr.mp3]Johnny Hobo & The Freight-Trains - Acid Song[/url] (Folk-punk)
Erik Petersen - Olde Tyme Mem'ry (Folk-punk)
Bob Dylan - Visions of Johanna (Folk-rock)
Mischief Brew - The Lowly Carpenter (Folk-punk)
The Jam - 'A' Bomb in Wardour Street (Punk)
Bad Brains - Don't Bother Me (Hardcore-punk)
Joe Strummer & the Mescaleros - Bhindi Bhagee (World-punk)
The Buddy Rich Big Band - The Beat Goes On (Jazz)

[B]Johnny Hobo & The Freight-Trains - Acid Song[/B]

I'm not too familiar with alot of this folk punk music sweeping these boards lately, only really hearing Against Me and the new Ghost Mice, neither particually impressed me so I feel it's a good time to try some other artists.

The song starts by a 1-2-3-4 countered in by the singer followed by a rather generic sounding strum on the acoustic guitar, it reminds me of another song but I can't put my finger on it. Initially the vocals reminded my of Against Me but the more I listened to the song they bacame more distinctive and enjoyable but still you can hear the influence.

The lyrics play a major part in this song, like any folk or punk song would and they do impress me with their catchyness and you can't help but listen and learn every single line of the song. The lyrics are about drugs and from what I presume from the lyrics it's an anti-drug song but I could be wrong. Anyway, as I said the lyrics are rather attractive. The vocals are rather raspy, similar to Against Me as I said earlier but with an extra quality to them. Perhaps the fact the song is live makes his voice more previlant.

I like this song, and I assume from listening to listen to other similar artists the music is put in the background with the lyrics and vocals taking the lead so to speak in the song. This isn't a bad thing however and I do enjoy the song more than the other artists in this particular genre.

7.5-8/10

[B]Recommendations:[/B]
[URL="http://www.whiteeyelid.com/Trilambs/JSEP/06%20The%20Ultimate%20(Feat.%20Hot%20Karl).mp3"]Trilambs - The Ultimate[/URL] (Comedic Rap)
[URL="http://postpunkjunk.com/1985_sophomore.mp3"]1985 - Sophomore[/URL] (Post-Punk)
[URL="http://postpunkjunk.com/soulasylum_longday.mp3"]Soul Asylum - Longday[/URL] (Alternative/Post-Punk)
[URL="http://www.7inchpunk.com/wp-content/Impact1Polizia.mp3"]Impact - Polizia[/URL] (Italian Hardcore Punk)
[URL="http://postpunkjunk.com/terminals_deadlytango.mp3"]Terminals - Deadly Tango[/URL] (Punk/Alternative)

[center][b][i]Soul Asylum - Long Day[/i][/b][/center]

This song reminds me of a slightly less funky Big Boys. Or a more badly recorded Talking Heads having sex with the drummer from Husker Du, but not as good as that sounds. Or Big Black where the guitar isn't played with a cheese-grater. Or The Exploited if Wattie had been to art-school but not as bad as that sounds. Or a punk version of The Band with actual attempts at song-structure. Or 500 million indie rock bands if they had some actual f[u]u[/u]cking balls. Draw your own conclusions from these assertions. I thought it was alright. 7/10


[b]Choose from:[/b]
Erik Petersen - Olde Tyme Mem'ry (Folk-punk)
Bob Dylan - Visions of Johanna (Folk-rock)
Mischief Brew - The Lowly Carpenter (Folk-punk)
The Jam - 'A' Bomb in Wardour Street (Punk)
Bad Brains - Don't Bother Me (Hardcore-punk)
Joe Strummer & the Mescaleros - Bhindi Bhagee (World-punk)
The Buddy Rich Big Band - The Beat Goes On (Jazz)

[b]Gmail:[/b] sketchyjoe