Let It Burn

Hello Good Friend (2003)
Alone Records

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Contributed by: Scott
(others by this writer | submit your own)
Published on May 13th 2003

Well, it's about that time of the year that I just get jaded on the idea of punk rock actually sounding fresh and original while sticking to their roots. We're reaching almost the midway point of the year, and I can't point to a single pure punk rock album that would make my Top 10 list at year end. As each day slips by, my hope for a band to make me remember why I once called myself "punk" grows slimmer and slimmer.

And, as if on cue, I get some random CD in the mail from a tiny label [this time it's Alone Records, from Oswego, NY] the re-affirms my faith in punk rock.

Now, this is not to say that Let It Burn is the best band going nowadays. They're far from it. They're sloppy, poorly recorded, and fairly derivative. But I'll be damned if the six songs on this EP don't knock me for a loop with their sheer intensity. After spinning this disc nonstop all day, I just want to strut around [as I'm sure the singer does while onstage] and puff out my chest like a young Mick Jagger.

Funny I should mention Mr. Jagger, as the band covers the Rolling Stones classic "Miss You." Sure, they "butcher" it like any punk band worth it's salt does to a classic rock cover, but the song's bluesy swagger comes alive in these kids' hands. The EP also contains a cover of David Bowie's "Hang On To Yourself," but I can't say I've ever heard the original, so I couldn't tell you if it sounds better or worse.

The real gem on this disc, though, is track two - "On Angel's Wings." The band kicks it into ludicrous speed for this minute and a half, balls-to-the-wall punk gem. I swear, every time I listen to this song, I'm just waiting to hear guitar strings break.

The release does have it's downsides, though [and it's not just that their semi-transparent CD (like NOFX's "The Decline") won't play in my car stereo]. The CD is too damn short. In the band's bio, it is stated that the group cranked out 2 full length albums in 2001 and 2002 - why just this small taste? I'll admit, it did whet my appetite, so I guess it served it's purpose.

So I've pretty much been praising this whole disc - why am I only giving it a 6? Mainly because the band needs some work. This shit is good, but it's not great. But give them a little time, and I bet it will be.

One line summary - Let It Burn is what Minor Threat would sound like if they got hammered one night.

Extended one line summary - possibly some of the freshest hardcore punk to come out of Jersey since Lifetime.

MP3
Hello Good Friend

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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.

Anonymous (May 15, 2003)

watch it burn is better

Anonymous (May 14, 2003)

Of course it "whets" your appetite. If I mention algebra it would "whet" your appetite. All that shit about pi would drive you crazy. Face it you're always hungry. You're fat, thats what fat people do. cunt. twat

FortyMinutesWest (May 14, 2003)

This score is for Clerks, and it's about time there was a Clerks reference on this site.

sickboi (May 14, 2003)

Scott, did members of the Break anally rape your gramma while pouring sugar in your gas tank?

maverick (May 14, 2003)

I think I'd rather watch the Break live over Bracket, just because the Break has less songs, which means their set would be over first.

Both bands are terrible, though.

-Scott

Anonymous (May 14, 2003)

There are way too many grammatical mistakes in this review for me to read it. Once i got to the part about "funny i should mention mick jagger, as the "and" cover . . ." i believe you mean bn

Anonymous (May 14, 2003)

not necessarily, I think maverick hates Bracket more than the Break. probably because they both start with the letter B.

Ramo

FortyMinutesWest (May 14, 2003)

The contempt is well placed, The Break fucking suck.

Anonymous (May 14, 2003)

Christ Scott, I don't think I've seen you have so much contempt for a band as you do the Break. Weird, I actually like em.

-sickboi

maverick (May 13, 2003)

The Break is terrible.

-Scott

Anonymous (May 13, 2003)

The Break is a damn fine band.

Anonymous (May 13, 2003)

Theyre coming out with a split with the Break (NJ) soon. It will be rad. They have more edge members than Minor Threat did.

Anonymous (May 13, 2003)

Yeah, I have that one too. Picked it up when I saw them open for the Explosion. I love that album.

-sickboi

Anonymous (May 13, 2003)

I have their full length, "Here's To Goodbyes", it is actually pretty tight though i guess they just went for a sloppier sound on the EP.

fatman (May 13, 2003)

I am actually lucky enough to know these guys. Some of the most hard working guys I know..really glad to see them getting reviewed on here.

fAt mAn

Anonymous (May 13, 2003)

And they are now on the Explosion's "Tarantula Records".

-sickboi

Anonymous (May 13, 2003)

These guys are fucking amazing.

-sickboi

lieutenant (May 13, 2003)

No, nevermind. I initially came to believe this band put out a split with the Ataris years ago, but now I remember that was probably the title of the album.

tenderbransonx (May 13, 2003)

Hey scott you wanna believe in punk again? Listen to the new Plan A Project cd. It' been stuck on my mp3 player for weeks now. Straight up punk that makes me smile. Everyone should try it out if they wanna hear some of the good old punk rock.
_steven www.murdertheturtle.com