Cities We’re Not From is the debut album from The State Lottery. The band is based out of Detroit and Queens with members of The Gibbons, Dynamite Arrows and Get Bent. As the opening chords of the title track ring out to start the record, you can feel something special in the air. Cities We’re Not From has a lot to do with growing up, growing older, moving around and subsequently moving on.
The title track explores moving from city to city only to realize we can not run from what inherently makes us unhappy. We live in cities we’re not from/Make our beds in neighborhoods that we barely belong/Searching for some sort of community/And it seems alright, but I can’t deny that I’m still so lonely. “Kindgarten Class” is simple in its outright questioning of America’s pursuit of war: We’ve declared endless war armed with the infantile concept of good vs. bad. “Night Of The Johnstown Flood” is straightforward and biting in its lyrical approach. And the America enshrined in my parents’ hearts and minds is a language I don’t speak, no it means nothing to me. It is an unfortunate sentiment of many in our generation whether we want to admit it or not. Cities We’re Not From explores so much of the (American) human condition but at its heart, the album is a restless search and desperate hope to find and build a community for survival.
Cities We’re Not From sounds like such a natural progression from guys who have spent their lives in punk bands. This is punk rock but done so with sense of maturity and humility for all who have passed before. Cities We’re Not From is angry and political, yet eternally hopeful; powerful and aggressive, yet keenly melodic. The instrumental additions of keys, horns and harmonica add a fresh dynamic to the traditional punk band setting. With Cities We’re Not From, The State Lottery have delivered one of best albums of the year. These eight songs are a moving testament to the heart and soul of punk rock. Sing these tired songs. You’re gonna miss ‘em when they’re gone. Indeed.
Buy the vinyl from Salinas! You can download the record for free here.
Genre: Punk/Rock
RIYL: The Lawrence Arms, Constantines, American Steel
Label: Salinas
Cities We’re Not From
01%20Cities%20We%27re%20Not%20From.mp3
Kindergarten Class
