Alkaline Trio - From Here To Infirmary

Alkaline Trio – From Here To Infirmary

Vagrant Records

4 Stars

Alkaline Trio are a punk rock band that don’t really sound like anyone else completely, they are punk, they are alternative rock, they are even a bit pop. From Here To Infirmary is the bands third album and first on punk rock label Vagrant Records and has a big hard rock sound but the punk rock basics are there and the songs are equal parts great rock n’ roll fury and amazing lyrics a trend that will stay with this band.

It’s hard to find anything bad to say about Alkaline Trio and this album works well for a lot of audiences. If you are on the edge of musical preferences and dabble in the punk scene but largely prefer mainstream alternative rock this album will work for you. This is the first album that I heard by the band and it kept me interested and wondering what was coming next and thankfully I was able to get more because the band had already released their next album Good Mourning.

Your best start here would be Private Eye, Stupid Kid, Crawl, Armageddon and You’re Dead which contains one of my favorite lyrics of all time “Cause if assholes could fly, This place would be busier than O’Hare” it’s a little crude but totally fits the mood of Alkaline Trio.

Suggesting other bands like Alkaline Trio is a little difficult sometimes I think maybe a little MXPX is in there but for me they always just sound like Alkaline Trio and if you like alternative rock played fast like good old punk rock with vocals that aren’t too over the top and have a sing along quality you need to get into Alkaline Trio and this album is a good place to start.

Copyright © 2010 Kevin P. Johnson all rights reserved.

Album art and song titles and lyrics are used as fair use for review purposes and will be removed at the copyright holders request.

My Chemical Romance - The Black Parade

My Chemical Romance – The Black Parade
2006 Reprise Records
5 Stars

Emo rock opera is how I would describe the third album from My Chemical Romance. This album tells the story of a person dying of cancer. The album tells the sad tale at a rapid pace and with a catchy alterno-pop sound that grabs from emo, punk, rock, 1970’s era Queen and all that made the 1990’s alternative scene work. The first time that I listened to The Black Parade it blew me away and I instantly thought that it was going to be the album of the year for sure but only reached number two on the Billboard 200 chart and only Welcome To The Black Parade reached number one on the Hot Modern Rock Chart.

For an album that is loaded with songs that deal with depressing subject matter it makes you want jump and dance and even feels kind of good. This album keeps you interested from start to finish with songs that have many different layers with excellent musicians backing up the amazing lyrics. It may sound strange but an album that is filled with so much sadness in the end sounds really fun and almost happy.

I suggest you listen to the entire album in one sitting to get the best experience of The Black Parade it will rock you from start to finish. The best tracks on the album are DEAD!, This Is How I Disappear, Welcome To The Black Parade, I Don’t Love You, Cancer, Mama, and Teenagers and don’t forget the hidden track Blood.

This band needs no other to be compared with but I think if you like Queen, concept albums or rock operas you will enjoy The Black Parade.


Copyright © 2010 Kevin P. Johnson all rights reserved.
Album art and song titles and lyrics are used as fair use for review purposes and will be removed at the copyright holders request.

theSTART - theSTART (EP) a.k.a. Death Via Sattelite

theSTART – theSTART (EP) a.k.a. Death Via Satellite

2002 New Black Recordings

5 Stars

This CD has been released through New Black Records as theSTART but was re-released later through Nitro Records as Death Via Satellite which includes the video for the 1234. Wikipedia says that the CD was released by Smallstone Records before Nitro but it is only credited as New Black Recordings on the CD.

theSTART are an alternative rock band with punk rock and new wave roots and on this six song EP they rock with fast paced guitars, throbbing bass and thundering drums but what stands out is the voice of Aimee Echo which could only be compared to an early Gwen Stefani. Aimee and the boys rip into their six song effort and leave you wanting for more. Death Via Sattelite, Big Shot and the 1234 are the biggest will leave you bouncing off the walls while Los Angelos, High Flyer and Trinity will set the tone a bit darker. This is a one of a kind band and they should not be missed.

Copyright © 2010 Kevin P. Johnson all rights reserved.

Album art and song titles and lyrics are used as fair use for review purposes and will be removed at the copyright holders request.

My Chemical Romance - Three Cheers For Sweet Revenge

My Chemical Romance – Three Cheers For Sweet Revenge

2004 Reprise Records

4 Stars

Three Cheers For Sweet Revenge My Chemical Romance’s breakout album that proved this band would be a force to be reckoned with. This album is alternative, it is emo, it is punk it is so many things and the songs are great. The biggest single would be the fast paced Helena along with I’m Not Okay (I Promise) being an underrated but charting single My Chemical Romance became a recognizable name amongst music fans.

This album combines its emo roots and punk rock attitude with wondrous pop sensibility without being cheesy throwaway radio rock. My Chemical Romance will rock you and even if you want to be sad about the emo lyrics the pace and the rockin’ style of Three Cheers will make you bob your head and shake your booty and leave you wanting more.

Try out Helena, Give ‘Em Hell Kid, I’m Not Okay (I Promise), Thank You For The Venom and the wonderfully titled It’s Not A Fashion Statement, It’s A Death Wish.

This band needs no other to be compared with but I think if you like A.F.I. you will enjoy My Chemical Romance and vice versa.

Copyright © 2010 Kevin P. Johnson all rights reserved.
Album art and song titles and lyrics are used as fair use for review purposes and will be removed at the copyright holders request.

The Sort – Resentment, Despair, & Other Amusements

The Sort – Resentment, Despair, & Other Amusements

2008 Black Bag Records

4 Stars

The Sort is an alternative rock band with indie and punk roots with pop sensibility in their sound. Lauralam Thomas’ vocals are wonderful providing an exciting sing along vibe. The band has a heavy but not brooding sound and the vocals tower over the sound. The guitars shine and provide the party while the bass and drums bring the sound that makes you want to move. You could as easily dance around your living room or a mosh pit with this album. Resentment, Despair, & Other Amusements is consistent and wonderful from beginning to end. There is not a bad song on the album but at the same time this isn’t typical radio fare it’s the kind of CD you rock out with your friends at a party or on a long car ride.

Although all the songs are great check out Found, Minus One, Mistletoe and Thursday to get you started.

Fans of Veruca Salt will love this band.

Copyright © 2010 Kevin P. Johnson all rights reserved.

Album art and song titles and lyrics are used as fair use for review purposes and will be removed at the copyright holders request.

All - Pummel

All – Pummel

1995 Interscope Records

5 Stars

West Coast punk rock with a pop edge, this is one of my favorite punk rock albums of the 1990’s. Almost every track is sing along anthem that I find myself singing because its stuck in my head all day. Weather they are signing about love, lost love, or trying to make a name for yourself by being a “Straight, normal, hetero guy” All rips and shreds out the greatness. With a slight touch of Emo Punk on Stalker and This World this album brings the album together as not just another happy sounding pop punk record.

Fans of All should check out The Descendents.

Copyright © 2010 Kevin P. Johnson all rights reserved.

Album art and song titles and lyrics are used as fair use for review purposes and will be removed at the copyright holders request.

All - Dot (Single)

All – Dot (Single)

1992 Cruz Records
4 Stars

Six minutes and nineteen seconds of countrified west coast punk rock. This is a three song little treasure highlighted by a great cover of A Boy Named Sue written by Shel Silverstein and originally sung by Johnny Cash. The song Dot is found on All’s 1992 album Percolator. This CD is really a fun little find and should be sought out for six minutes and nineteen seconds of punk rock joy.


Copyright © 2010 Kevin P. Johnson all rights reserved.

Album art and song titles and lyrics are used as fair use for review purposes and will be removed at the copyright holders request.