VARIOUS ARTISTS - CLASS PRIDE WORLD WIDE 3

Highlighting the very best of Insurgence Records, CLASS PRIDE WORLD WIDE 3 smacks us across the face with 22 punk-rock and hardcore tracks from artists all across the globe. Many of the tracks featured on this disc deal with the theme of the plight of the working-class man and his never-ending grudge with the corporate police-state world he lives in. It's punk in its purist form. I got a kick listening to German kraut-rock band Freiboiter with their track "Schone Neue Welt". Actually, I enjoyed all the foreign selections quite a bit—maybe more than the U.S. and Canadian tracks. In all, this disc is well worth picking up if you're looking for something new and unheard of.

(Review originally appeared in the June 2006 issue of Skratch Magazine)

STUTTER - S/T

Their press release describes their sound "like Blondie dry-humping Gwen Stefani in the back of Billy Idol's car." Trust me when I say that I wish I could say the only bad thing about Stutter is their PR manager, but that is truly not the case. In an attempt to relive the new-wave glory days of The Go-Go's and Devo, these Canadian trendoids present us nine tracks of watered-down super pop that makes me cringe at the thought of the pain my ears went through while listening to this album. There's a huge difference between being influenced by the new-wave sound and trying to replicate it. For those looking for a truly original new-wave experience, check out Japan's Polysics. It sure beats this crap.

(Review originally appeared in the June 2006 issue of Skratch Magazine)

SNOWGLOBE - OXYTOCIN

Snowglobe are influenced by acts like The Beatles and Electric Light Orchestra. The 14 selections on this disc are lighthearted and upbeat, sure to have you taping your feet and bouncing to the beat. On tracks like "Dry", the use of strong and elaborate brass and string ensembles gives the tune a Beatles-like feel. Another impressive facet of this band is their ability to incorporate instruments like the saw and steel guitar. Snowglobe's ability to create a sound so strongly rooted in classic rock but yet keep things original and fresh really attests to the top-notch musicianship of this band. Thumbs way up for this one.

(Review originally appeared in the June 2006 issue of Skratch Magazine)

SCOTCH GREENS - PROFESSIONAL

I was pleasantly surprised when I found out I was going to be reviewing this album. I caught these guys opening up for Flogging Molly in March and was quite impressed with their brand of blue-collar rock 'n' roll. PROFESSIONAL truly captures the working-class sound these boys have made their own. Banjos and mandolins accompany the foot-stomping, fast-paced first track, "Rumspringa". From there, there is no looking back, as they throw us on a roller-coaster ride of in-your-face rock that lasts for the entire album. Fans of Flogging Molly would highly enjoy this band and album. Whether you pick up this album or see them live, Scotch Greens are sure to please your musical taste buds.

(Review originally appeared in the June 2006 issue of Skratch Magazine)

HOUSE OF HEROES - SAY NO MORE

Playing sounds not too hard and not too soft, House of Heroes new album SAY NO MORE comes off like mainstream rock wet dream. Melodic vocals backed by a safe but strong guitar riffs make this album as a sure fit with fans of bands like Jimmy Eat World. Through the 12 tracks on this album, we really don't get a sense of this band's true potential. This is all too common with bands that play music with media-play potential in mind. Another thing that turned me away from this album was the all-too-sweet and high-pitched vocals. I would have loved to hear the music be a little bit more experimental. I guess you can't always get what you wish for.

(Review originally appeared in the June 2006 issue of Skratch Magazine)