Down By Law

Down By Law: Champions at HeartChampions at Heart (2012)
DC-Jam Records

Reviewer Rating: 3.5

User Rating:

Contributed by: OiyellitproudOiyellitproud
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Published on August 31st 2012Listening to Champions at Heart is just a reminder that '90s punk still has something in the tank to prove to this decade. The finer qualities of simple yet intricate guitar riffs and the driving melodies will make you sing along while you're tinkling your pants. Dave Smalley's vocals are still spot.

Listening to Champions at Heart is just a reminder that '90s punk still has something in the tank to prove to this decade. The finer qualities of simple yet intricate guitar riffs and the driving melodies will make you sing along while you're tinkling your pants. Dave Smalley's vocals are still spot on and bring you back to the Dag Nasty days with songs like "New Song" and "Face Forward."

Most of all, though, Champions at Heart doesn't drag you along with 16 tracks of the same old recipe of what they think is "punk." Instead, they have mixed it up and spiced their way through with fast barn burners like "Nothing" and "Crystals." Then they have the old man East Coast ballads in "Knock this Town" and "Warriors United." Also to break it all up guitar player Sam Williams sings "Tiny Answers" and "Perpetual Sorrow," which gives the album a nice breath of fresh air.

Overall, very solid album from these seasoned veterans of the scene and definitely worth a listen.

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Fine Print: The following comments are owned by whoever posted them. We are not respon sible for them in any way. Seriously.

baseball (August 31, 2012)

I'm surprised by how much I like this album so far. I was never huge into this band but they were always pretty solid. I can't give this 4 stars though because some of these lyrics are really cheesy. But quite a few good songs on here.

janzik (August 31, 2012)

When did Dave start incorporating some Matt Freeman vocals(growling) into his singing?

Cos (August 31, 2012)

Is DC-Jam Dave's own label?

dancooksfood (August 31, 2012)

Saw them live a few months ago they were great . This album is really good and Dave is about the nicest guy you will ever meet .he is as much of a superhero as the ones he has tattooed on his arms .im so glad down by law is back and if you didnt see him at either of the three headed ALL - Down By Law shows last year you missed out.

NattyBoh (August 31, 2012)

I like it. Growing on me. Some of the lyrics are pretty lame but overall I'm diggin it. Smalley!

alex101 (August 31, 2012)

What a comeback.