<![CDATA[TX Punk - Product Reviews]]>

<![CDATA[TX Punk - Product Reviews]]>Fri, 03 Feb 2012 21:29:24 -0800Weebly<![CDATA[Fishbone - Crazy Glue (DC-Jam Records)]]>Mon, 09 Jan 2012 15:22:00 -0800http://www.txpunk.net/5/post/2012/01/fishbone-crazy-glue-dc-jam-records.htmlDo you have a case of the post-Xmas blues? Then, return that itchy reindeer sweater and drop into the insanely fun world of Fishbone's Crazy Glue! Ska, Reggae, Punk, Funk, Metal, and wtf fun collide!

Crazy Glue offers an off-the-wall concoction of genres in trademark Fishbone style. The EP starts off with a few relatively mellow tracks leaning more on the Reggae and Ska influenced side of the band(ex. the title track, and "DUI Friday"), and progressively delves into more Funk, Hardcore, and Metal influenced songs that simultaneously maintain the infectious fun mood of the CD. Each cut shows the band in prime form, showing off stop-on-a-dime, tight playing, while mingling that off-the-wall choppy ska influenced side.

It may a bit on the short side being an EP, but you can get more life out of it than the average full length, while enjoying a lower price. You can't beat it.

Bottom Line: Being the legendary Fishbone there is not a dull moment to be found fans of music that's: fun, eclectic, energetic, or even music at all. You're bound to find something on Crazy Glue no matter what your tastes are.

Track Listing:

1. Crazy Glue
2. Flutterbutter
3. Deep Sh*t Backstroke
4. DUI Friday
5. Akkafoo
6. Gittin' In That A*s
7. Weed, Beer, Cigarettes

You can buy Crazy Glue at DC-Jam Records Amazon, iTunes, & InterPunk. You can also find Fishbone on Facebook!

]]><![CDATA[Chelsea Hotel - Lookin' For Tango]]>Mon, 19 Dec 2011 18:25:49 -0800http://www.txpunk.net/5/post/2011/12/chelsea-hotel-lookin-for-tango.htmlHouston's own classic Punk Rockers, Chelsea Hotel, have released a ripping new album, Lookin' For Tango. Today, we're putting one of our favorite Texas bands under the microscope today. Join in!

Having seen Chelsea Hotel many times live I was nervous(as I am with any modern recording) that it wouldn't do the amazing live show justice. But much to my pleasure it resonates with my fond memories of their raw classic Punk set note for note.

Lookin' For Tango combines the roots of Rock 'n' Roll, with the snarl of acts like the Dead Boys, and the "play it faster" mentality of Hardcore Punk. Or as you may have seen me attempt to classify it as numerous times, Classic NY style Punk. One of the main graces of Chelsea Hotel is the superb balancing act between being tight, focused, raw, and gritty at the same time. The CD only rarely slows down, the main instance being in one of my personal favorites "TCBY", the remainder rocks its way from your speakers to your inner ear in an energetic fury.

Of course of the quality is only logical when the frontman is Robert Conn of legendary early punk, The Pagans, out of Cleveland Ohio. Check out "Her Name Was Jane", and "Six & Change" for some classic tunes.

Bottom Line: Loud guitars, Pounding drums, and rowdy vocals, swirled into a classic NY style Punk sound. For fans of Dead Boys, New York Dolls, Pagans(of course!), Dictators, and really anyone with decent taste in Punk Rock.

Personal Favorites:

"Stop Breakin' My Balls"
"Austin"
"TCBY (Shouldn't Be That Way)"
"Her Name Was Jane"
"Six & Change"

Track Listing:

1. "Stop Breakin' My Balls"
2. "These Are The Days"
3. "TCBY (Shouldn't Be That Way)"
4. "That Pig Won't Fly"
5. "Lookin' For Tango"
6. "Austin"
7. "Her Name Was Jane"
8. "Worth More"
9. "Six & Change"

Be sure to check out Chelsea Hotel at MySpace, ReverbNation, & Facebook.

]]><![CDATA[The Generators - Last Of The Pariahs (DC-Jam Records)]]>Sat, 19 Nov 2011 08:46:09 -0800http://www.txpunk.net/5/post/2011/11/the-generators-last-of-the-pariahs-dc-jam-records.htmlStreet Punk veterans, The Generators, released their 8th full length album not long ago. They've been steadily gaining well deserved press attention and praise from places like USA Today to small Punk Rock zines, and trading circles. Take a look! If you don't know; you don't know what you're missing.

Last Of The Pariahs shows off The Generators familiar yet unique Punk Rock craftsmanship. It features a melodic yet rough back tracking perfectly topped with intelligent and introspective lyrics about the many problems of today, whether their within(see the hit track, "You Against You"), or within society. Gritty hook laden guitar lines are frequent asset to the album, as is noticeably intense drumming. The Generators frequently make extensive use of each of their instruments; rather than mirroring each other, each guitar(including Bass) has its own addition to accent the song, which makes for a surprisingly atmospheric assault of Punk Rock fury. While not every song is a fast, blistering, soaring anthem, their more moderately paced numbers further show their skilled song writing, and manage to maintain the intense atmosphere of the album.

Certain modern day Punk bands like Pennywise or Bad Religion come to mind, when listening to The Generators, but unlike the other aforementioned bands they have a uniquely consistent element of simplistic Classic Punk present. If you like some of the modern, melodic, thought provoking Punk bands(like the one's mentioned above), you should take a look at The Last Of The Pariahs. Even if you don't like said forms of Punk, you can take solace in their ever present Old School roots.

Bottom Line: The Generators produce an unfathomably good mix of well crafted Melodic Punk Rock, and the classic grit and snarl that all Punks know and love.

Personal Favorites:

"Angels Looking Down"
"You Against You"
"Primetime From Plastic City"

Track Listing:

1. Angels Looking Down
2. You Against You
3. 3 AM
4. Tears Of Repentance
5. Condition Red
6. Fallen World
7. Prime Time From Plastic City
8. Lost In The Valley
9. Chains Of Darkness
10. Against All Odds
11. United Like Brothers

You can get Last Of The Pariahs at DC-Jam Records, Interpunk, iTunes, & Amazon. You can also check out The Generators at Facebook, & MySpace.

]]><![CDATA[Opposite Box - Silly & Infantile]]>Tue, 27 Sep 2011 07:50:18 -0800http://www.txpunk.net/5/post/2011/09/opposite-box-silly-infantile.htmlYou sir! Do you like Fishbone? Do you like Downtown Brown? Do you like crazy wtf party bands that are not really just party bands because their level of range is unheard of? Well, if you like all these things, and long overdue reviews, than you will love today's subject, Opposite Box's "Silly & Infantile"

Opposite Box is a crazy band of misfits from all types of backgrounds and styles coming from the land of Dolly Parton, and famous dead rockstars with posthumous amusement parks. They range between: Funk, Punk, Metal, Ska, Reggae, a bit of Rap, and about absolutely anything you can think of, usually multiple genres are noticeable even within individual songs. They manage to keep a level of sheer unrelenting humorous fun through out the whole CD, no matter what style they choose to attack at that moment. Somehow, despite the sheer rag tag nature of some songs, they manage to swirl everything together in to a perfect mix. Whoda thunk Metal, saxophones, and Funk could coexist at the same time in perfect harmony? Apparently Opposite Box realized this, which either shows pure musical genius or just a completely lucky alcohol induced experiment. The result is top notch, regardless.

Intro and transition tracks are common on the album, and quite frankly I'm not sure which song is which. However, I don't feel it makes the album suffer at all. To get the true experience it should be listened to in it's entirety; no exceptions.

Track Listing:
(not accounting for transition or intro tracks)

1. Creepy
2. He Seems Like a Fungi
3. Hannibal Montana
4.Getting Away
5. Pattern of Life
6. I Wanna Be Like You (The Alan Song)
7. System
8. Devil's Lettuce
9. Boating Under the Influence
10. Criminal of the Year

You can find Opposite Box on Facebook, and you can get "Silly & Infantile" here!

]]><![CDATA[Ivan Julian - The Naked Flame]]>Tue, 10 May 2011 10:33:10 -0800http://www.txpunk.net/5/post/2011/05/ivan-julian-the-naked-flame.htmlThe guitarist known for his work in such names as: Richard Hell & The Voidoids, The Clash, Shriekback, among many others; has put out his first solo release. The Naked Flame certainly lives up to his legacy, and talents as musician, and really even goes beyond it. Join us, because this is going to be a good one.

Ivan Julian covers so much ground it feels nearly impossible to truly describe it... The influences are amazingly broad. Each song is very uniquely it's own yet they don't feel incongruent amongst each other. There's rocking tunes like "The Waves", and "A Young Man's Money", which feature an almost 60's rock/Garage Rock style. There's a very Psychedelic, and undeniably Hendrix-esque(to use an already much used comparison) style on the title track. Even a slower ballad-like style appears on "You Is Dead", which is easily arguable as one of the best songs on the album. That's coming from a person who shutters at the sound of the average slow song, if that's helps the testament of what an amazing track "You Is Dead" is.

For the ones who purchase the CD from 00:02:59 Records there's a bonus track, "Godiva". It's an awe-striking, Psychedelic, and almost Avant-garde track that just tops off the album beautifully.

While I can ramble on much longer about the strength of each track, and use many music terms, and genre's to attempt to describe the range of the album; one thing becomes evident. The album is very uniquely Ivan, it's his own style, and his own feelings. Which also explains the perfect flow of the album, while having a nearly indescribable range. It takes a lot of influences, and puts them in a modern setting, but it's by no means a throwback.

Bottom Line: It's an amazing piece of work. Fans of Richard Hell should enjoy it. Really anyone with a soulful taste in Rock should get their fill. Just get it now. A+++

Personal Favorites:

"A Young Man's Money",
"The Naked Flame",
"You Is Dead",
and really the whole album.

Track Listing:

1. The Waves
2. A Young Man’s Money
3. The Naked Flame
4. Hardwired
5. That Look
6. The Funky Beat In Siamese
7. Constricted
8. The Beat
9. Sticky
10. You Is Dead
11. Broken Butterflies
12. Godiva(CD Bonus Track)

You can find "The Naked Flame" on 00:02:59 Records, Amazon, and iTunes. You can find out more about Ivan Julian on his Official Website.

]]><![CDATA[Dirty Filthy Mugs - Up In The Downs (DC-Jam Records)]]>Wed, 02 Mar 2011 16:52:36 -0800http://www.txpunk.net/5/post/2011/03/dirty-filthy-mugs-up-in-the-downs-dc-jam-records.htmlThe Mugs are back with their 2nd album, and today we're taking a peak before it officially launches on March 8.

Here's a hint. It doesn't disappoint!

On their newest release Dirty Filthy Mugs show a more focused Punk sound while at the same time incorporating a wider range within it, and letting more influences show through(a clear AC/DC influence can be heard in the opening to "Plastic City"). While the blatant Irish mark that is the accordion isn't really featured on this album it's hard to miss it amidst the intensity of everything. The album features the Mugs playing even tighter, and faster(Man, I didn't think that was possible) than their last album. Most songs are furiously ripped through, but on occasion there are some nice slower(keep in mind that's a relative term) numbers like "In Walked The Devil". One notable first for the band is the use of some Spanish flavored playing on the fiery song, "Outcast".

Bottom Line: This CD rips, rocks, and slams all the way from Intro to Outro. It just brings a tear to my eye to know that there are still bands today that are making good Punk Rock music. I suggest the Pre-order button... Or order if it's that time already when you read this.

Personal Favorites:

"Really the whole CD, but..."

"Bodkin Downs"
"Outcast"
"She's A Riot"
"What You Get"
etc.

Track Listing:

1. Intro
2. Blocked Up And Smashed
3. Bodkin Downs
4. In Walked The Devil
5. You Want It All
6. Plastic City
7. Outcast
8. She's A Riot
9. Jokers And Cons
10. What You Get
11. Time Change
12. Just Another Night
13. Boredom
14. Outro

You can order "Up In The Downs" on Amazon, iTunes, and Interpunk.

Be sure to check out the Dirty Filthy Mugs on Myspace, and Facebook

]]><![CDATA[Blower - Dressed To Chill 7"]]>Tue, 01 Mar 2011 18:36:13 -0800http://www.txpunk.net/5/post/2011/03/blower-dressed-to-chill-7.htmlAlright it's time to bust out the turn table for 7 inches of raw, punk edged, Rock, by Austin's own Blower.

If you've been paying attention to happenings on the site, then you already know you're in for quite a ride. Strap in, cause it's ripping down your way.

Side A is dawned with a fitting image of an american flag background bringing images of the Harley Davidson Rock 'n' Roll era to mind. Underneath its looks lies the raw, rocking, Blower anthem, "Hot Wheels, Cold Beer, Big Titties". It boils down everything Blower is about into a meaty singular bite. It's got Loud, Fast guitars, Pounding Drums, tight, blaring Bass, and a chorus that brings everything to an amazing height.

Side B is adorned with an even more fitting Hammer and Sickle background, for their cover of The Sex Pistols "Holidays In The Sun". While Blower may be a little more on the Rock side of the fence at times, this cover fits in their catalog perfectly. It also shows how well Blower crosses over into the Punk world. I've heard lot's of useless, token Sex Pistols cover songs, but this certainly isn't one of them.

Bottom Line: This Record is so rad it made my ear bleed a little. I give it A+!

Track Listing:

A-side: "Hot Wheels, Cold Beer, Big Tiddies"
B-side: "Holiday In The Sun"(Sex Pistols)

To hear Blower for yourself, check them out on Myspace and FaceBook.

]]><![CDATA[Downtown Brown - Grabbleton's Beach(DC-Jam Records)]]>Tue, 22 Feb 2011 19:46:32 -0800http://www.txpunk.net/5/post/2011/02/downtown-brown-grabbletons-beachdc-jam-records.htmlThe humorous, undefined genre playing, wonder trio, are back with their 7th release. The strange, the eclectic Downtown Brown. With DTB you never what you're in for, except a load of craziness.

That Read More button is our equivalent of Pandora's Box today. Do you want to open it?(Of course you do!)

This CD covers so much ground it's nearly impossible to mention everything. Basically if there's a genre you can think of, Downtown Brown's got nailed down on Grabbleton's Beach. From Rock, to Punk, to Ska, to Funk, to Metal, to Hippie Acoustic, to Stone Temple Pilots rip off, to jingle's, and more. They somehow manage to find a humorous, off the wall twist for every style too. Like the genres, just about any topic you can think of has also been covered. From: Religion, to Drugs, to Politics, to Meat! Whether non-sensical or serious DTB has you covered. Though, sometimes the more serious songs end up being the more non-sensical. Last statement didn't make sense? It doesn't have to! It's Downtown Brown!

With great humorous lines, like "There goes, Scott Wyland... He took my Heroin"(Heroin), and "My God is all forgiving. Unless you're a Gay!"(A Song For The People), it's great for a fan of a little light hearted eclectic Punk.

Personal Favorites:

"Meatwave"
"Heroin"
"A Song For The People"

Track Listing:

1 Dr. Mantis
2. Grabbleton's Beach
3. Baby!!
4. I Got A Poot In My Boot
5. Every Time The Wind Blows
6. Vagina Bombz
7. Ron's Town
8. Thx 4 The Mammaries
9. Get Ur Wobble On
10. Finkle
11. Meatwave
12. Rocket Appliances
13. Doin Fine
14. Heroin
15. Neebo's Revenge
16. A Song For The People
17. Friend Zone
18. Grabbleton's Reprise
19. The Pinnacle

You purchase Grabbleton's Beach on Interpunk, iTunes, and DC Jam Records.

You can also find Dowtown Brown on MySpace, and Facebook.

]]><![CDATA[Rudy Schwartz Project - Delicious A*s Frenzy(DC-Jam Records)]]>Thu, 20 Jan 2011 09:27:32 -0800http://www.txpunk.net/5/post/2011/01/rudy-schwartz-project-delicious-as-frenzydc-jam-records.htmlThe Project is back! After a long, political blunder filled 15 years Rudy Schwartz rears ugly head, and he's loaded with a decade and a half's worth of topics that are long over due for some Project style maiming.

Despised by most, loved by a few demented asylum escapees; The Rudy Scwartz Project gives us "Delicious A*s Frenzy".

As usual the Rudy Schwartz Project's album is an audio spectacle of MIDI madness, and you can hear that if the 15 years didn't give him that much more to write about, it at least gave him a wider arsenal of sounds to attack the public with. Instrumental tracks seem a little more common than on previous releases, but most things remain the same; just updated a little bit. There are still the same obnoxious and comedic song topics, plus enough genre changes(likely within songs themselves) to make you scratch your head until you've broken through the other side of your skull. Delicious A*s Frenzy also has a Project first, a delve into modern Rap on the song "Stumpy". I could probably go on for an hour talking about the different genres that are used, but the best on this seem to be the mock country efforts. As for the humorous song topics... Half the fun is the surprise.

I think enough has been said. By now you're either pulling out your wallet or hissing with pain... Or both if you're really lucky!

Bottom Line: I've heard the Rudy Schwartz Project was originally a government experiment as a new form of torture... I think my new weekend hobby is going be water boarding.

Personal Favorites:

"Trailer Queen"
(which features a take off on Queen's "Killer Queen)

"At The Illinois Pole Barn Clusterfuck"

Track Listing:

1. Delicious Ass Frenzy
2. Trailer Queen
3. I Fear The Night, With Apemen In Canoes
4. Invasion Of The Chrome Fish People
5. Perles De Cristal
6. At The Illinois Pole Barn Clusterfuck
7. Buncombe Doubly Damned
8. Scranton, Pennsylvania
9. Stumpy
10. Field Guidance To Industrial Establishments
11. Ton Amour A Change Ma Vie

You can find "Delicious A*s Frenzy" at DC-Jam Records, iTunes, Interpunk, and Amazon. You can find more Rudy Schwartz Project on the Official MySpace!

]]><![CDATA[Delta Block - Eat It]]>Wed, 19 Jan 2011 09:27:53 -0800http://www.txpunk.net/5/post/2011/01/delta-block-eat-it.htmlHouston local's, Delta Block, are up for our long awaited/procrastinated first CD review of the year with their album, "Eat It". It's worth the wait, and worth your time. Click that little link.

Delta Block is a semi-experimental Political Punk band, and on their most recent release(which isn't quite so recent due to our slowness), Eat It, shows them in full force. They rip through a range of songs from frantic, fast, hardcore numbers, to some slower but equally fiery ones. Their faster songs(most of them) are especially standouts for the great utilization of two vocalists to make them reek of anger and urgency. The songs mostly cover the problems in today's American society, and the bleak future(or lack of it). These may sound like things that have been said before, but I've never them put quite like this.

I've also got to give them points for have a male and female singer, both of which can match the fiery mood of the music and then some, and not just trying to be the next X sound-a-like. You can hear distinct influences from many of the greatest names in Punk, but they rarely stick around for more than a song or two which keeps this CD from getting old.

I think this is the most I've typed about a CD before. If that hasn't already made you think about taking a look, then here's the bottom line.

Bottom Line: Their fast, fiery, political, Punks captured in their best form. What more can you really ask? Great for fans of: Dead Kennedys, MDC, Flipper, Vice Squad, D.O.A., etc.

Personal Favorites:
"I don't know... It's a good CD. Does the whole album count?"

Track Listing:

1. Wake The F*ck Up
2. Hesitation
3. Your Mind Is Empty And Under Control
4. Lucha Chucha
5. Red, Black, & Blue
6. Everybody's Bleeding To Death
7. Victim
8. In The Future
9. Mechanical Nature

You can check out Delta Block on MySpace!

]]>