THE ANTHEMS - S/T

Although they were conceived just two years ago, The Anthems have already toured in Germany and Amsterdam. On this self-released four-song EP, seconds into the first track you realize what the attraction is. One of the first things I am amazed by is the sound these kids (they look to be in their early 20s) produce. The songs are well played and rich in sound, and the vocals are quite impressive, bringing to mind a comparison with Joe Strummer. You can also sense a bit of 1960s surf influence (mainly in the percussion). Another impressive band out of Anaheim! www.theanthems.com.
  
(Review originally appeared in the July 2006 issue of Skratch Magazine)

THE ADORED - A NEW LANGUAGE

The Adored's story spans the United States from east to west, being that they in Boston and eventually formed the current line-up in L.A. But their sound isn't a product of American rock roots; rather, their tunes come across as being influenced by late-'70s Brit-pop, with a splash of punk rock. Buzzcocks' Pete Shelley even caught wind of their sound and contributed to their 2005 EP. What you will find within this disc are 14 infectiously catchy tunes that can't help but put you in an upbeat mood. Perhaps the most valuable aspect of this album is its ability to make you dance! Hey, Punky McPunkerson, it's okay, to shake your ass to music like this!

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

SSM - S/T

SSM (an abbreviation for its band members' last names: Szymanski, Shettler, and Morris) delivers music that could be described in many different ways. One word is "quirky," for the keyboards that provide groovy, rhythmic melodies. Rough and somewhat distorted guitars hit hard with a classic garage feel, while the drums keep up a steady beat. Tracks like "Candy Loving" and "Ain't Love" give this album a toe-tapping feeling of joyful energy, while songs like "Dinosaur" brings a psychedelic edge. No matter how it's described or sold, SSM's throwback to the '60s psychedelic sound should have no problem pleasing its listeners.

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

OH NO NOT STEREO - LP-001

Is it possible to please more than one type of music fan with one album? I think we have found that answer. Oh No Not Stereo could be on the verge of being the next big thing in mainstream music, with harmonizing vocals and catchy hooks. If you don't particularly enjoy sweet vocals, don't fret: these boys lay it on hard with screaming guitars that make the mix of sweet and harsh balance itself out. "Death to the Attitude" displays the softer side of this band with a hook that sounds a bit like "Miserable" by Lit. Whatever your musical preference is, Oh No Not Stereo is worth a listen.

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

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)