Well, this is weird. I mean, Higher Giant is a supergroup (of sorts) and it sounds like one; like a bunch of friends (from the Token Entry and Paint it Black pedigree) got together without much time to find consistency in a sound and decided to just roll with the musical punches. This approach sees success (album starter “See You Later, Chopstick”) while also inspiring head-scratches (“The Bad Investment”). There are some cool ideas here, like the Geddy-Lee-fronts-Lipona-or-Ryan’s-Hope-or-A-Wilhelm-Scream bite of the opener. But other tracks see a bit too much classic rock and metal as opposed to the punk sound that sets this band off. When the guys avoid the “Judas Priest gone prog while swilling Schlitz” vibe and focus more on melding their influences into a cohesive sound, they are much more successful.
If you’re looking for an interesting listen, this is certainly that. Problem is, while Higher Giant certainly have history in the punk/hardcore scene, they seem distracted by the novelty of melding their past successes with their personal influences. When it sounds honest, as in the first track and last track (“Union Square”), it really works. Unfortunately, the middle of Al’s Moustache is a bit too slow and confused. When tottering between two and three stars, I try and decide if the release sounds tired and played out or refreshing and new. It’s the latter for this one.
This is a band that needs more time and old-school jam sessions, but knowing the way these groups tend to release a record or two and then move on, I’m not holding my breath.
Label: Black Numbers
Mike – Static Radio – NJ
1. Antillectual – Testiomy
2. Let Me Run – Meet Me At The Bottom LP
3. Seasick – Ouroboros EP
4. Ghost Town Trio – Have You Heard EP
5. Bridge And Tunnel – East West LP
6. Polar Bear Club – Sometimes Things Just Disappear LP
7. The Ergs! – Hindsight Is 20/20 My Friend LP
8. Paint It Black – New Lexicon LP
9. Jena Berlin – Quo Vadimus LP
10. Arm The Poor – Blurring The Lines Slurring The Ryhmes EP
Collin – Valdez, Alaska
1. Riddle of Steel – 1985
2. Sidekicks – Sam (7″)
3. Dillinger Four – C I V I L W A R
4. Constantines – Kensington Heights
5. The Gifted Children – Always Stay Sweet
6. Static Radio NJ – An Evening of Bad Decisions
7. Verse En Coma – Rialto
8. Cheap Girls – Find Me A Drink Home
9. Paint It Black – New Lexicon
10. Bridge & Tunnel – East/West
Stay Sharp bust out Four Songs in barely over six minutes. This is a bit too traditional hardcore sounding for my tastes. The vocals have that irritating high-pitched yelp that a trillion hardcore singers have had through the years. And Stay Sharp are missing that all-important melodic characteristic that I love in most of my hardcore. Fans of traditional hardcore should have no qualms with what Stay Sharp are offering here. In fact they will probably eat it up. But I like my hardcore with a little more melody. I will say though, the last song, “Charge The Mound”, is pretty dang sweet. More of that please!
Full Disclosure: This band’s press is handled by Beartrap PR. I work with Beartrap PR but I do not represent this particular band. These are my honest opinions.
Genre: Hardcore
RIYL: Minor Threat, Paint It Black, Gorilla Biscuits
Label: Monkey Wrench
Charge The Mound
What is it about punk kids from New Jersey? Something about the overpopulation, traffic, bad attitudes, smog, turnpikes, and accents turns out some fantastic music. Lifetime, Bouncing Souls, Saves The Day’s first couple of albums, Gaslight Anthem, Thursday’s first album, and… yeah I guess even the Misfits at times. Static Radio NJ seem to have let things get to them, blended and bottled it, and crammed it into roughly 27 minutes worth of music. These guys are angry, passionate, and ready to get to the point.
Just about every review of these guys has at some point compared them to Kid Dynamite, and it’s not far off. Breakneck speeds on both drums and guitars with a little bit angrier vocal styling and you are there. While I felt KD kept within the same musical boundaries, Static Radio attempt to set themselves apart with a more varied songwriting approach: hardcore breakdown (“Bothered”), anthemic singalong (“Fin”), moderate rocker (“Green Hoodie”), and off-timed thrash (“Standing Still”).
While the comparisons will likely continue to remain on this release, Static Radio are a fresh breath in a music world currently filled with drivel passed off as “punk” music. A definite immediate contender for “year end” lists, P.A. rotation between bands at shows, and the soundtrack to your next afternoon spent in line at the DMV.
Genre: Punk/Hardcore
RIYL: Kid Dynamite, Shook Ones, Paint It Black
Label: Black Numbers
Marc
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