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The Bronx

Bats! (2003)
Tarantulas Records

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Contributed by: Scott
(others by this writer | submit your own)

Published on September 5th 2003

The Bronx seem to be every rock critic's favorite band these days, but I've been a little bit harder to sway than most. Sure the album is loud, sure the album is rough, and sure the album is dirty - but that stuff means shit if it's not good. I've been on the fence about the Bronx's full-length since I first heard it, so we'll see if this EP pushes me one way or the other.

Bats!, although released separately [and a month earlier] than the band's full-length, feels like more of a companion piece than a "teaser EP" which are all so common in the industry today. The title track kicks things off, and has an absolutely killer guitar riff and the now-signature screams of singer Matt Caughthran. It's, in technical terms, a jam and a half. Next is "You Want To See Us Burn," which reminds me of a more straightforward, punkier Hot Water Music [but strangely, not Leatherface]. It also is a jam and a half, and it comes close to approaching the coveted "double jam" mark. The EP closes out with "Private Affair," a huge departure from the band's sound. It's much more '77 based, and the vocals are - shock of shocks - actually intelligible. Why is this? Well, as I peruse the liner notes, I discover that this song is actually by an old punk band called The Saints. So that explains that.

So is this three song EP worth your money? If you liked the full-length, yes. If you didn't, then no - nothing here will win you over that hasn't already been done on the full-length. As for me, sadly I'm still stuck on the fence. These songs are good and all, but I'm still stuck with my pop music portion of my brain saying "there's no hooks!" That may very well be the case, but there is no doubt in my mind that this is punk rock, the way our forefathers intended it.

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Bats!

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miff (February 8, 2006)

who needs popy hooks in this its great

Anonymous (November 26, 2004)

I got this one, on the nifty clear cd. FUCKING KILLER-the first song is top three for them. The other two-who cares. I also have their false alarm cd single, the title track is a slayer, the cover of "Needle and the Damage Done" is pretty sandwich.

Barkley

notaclevername (November 15, 2003)

and how the hell could you not like the full-length?
unless, that is, you don't like real, raw rock n' roll music

aubin (September 10, 2003)

In case anyone is wondering, No Idea has this EP for $6.20; cheaper than anywhere I've seen it.

Anonymous (September 10, 2003)

The Bronx remind me of the Bee Gees on crack with a side of meth and a dash
of vicodin.

Anonymous (September 9, 2003)

are these guys originally from the bronx? not that it matters, i think this e.p is sick. i like it more than the full length, although the full length was produced by gilby clarke. guns n fuckn roses are punk as fuck.

burstandbloom (September 8, 2003)

The Saints are a hell of a lot better than most bands...

Anonymous (September 6, 2003)

The Saints are a hell of a lot better than these guys...

-BSD

Anonymous (September 6, 2003)

i would say this band is decent but it definetly dosnt deserve all the hype theyve recieved with some of the new amazing bands out there...

Anonymous (September 6, 2003)

the saints are one of the best bands from the late 70's

Anonymous (September 6, 2003)

I saw these guys open up for the Circle Jers and GBH, I thought they were absolutely horrible! But, maybe the cd is better I don't know.

TenderBransonx (September 6, 2003)

That Mp3 is nice. Makes me want to check out more.
Steven

Anonymous (September 5, 2003)

"The EP closes out with "Private Affair," a huge departure from the band's sound. It's much more '77 based, and the vocals are - shock of shocks - actually intelligible. Why is this? Well, as I peruse the liner notes, I discover that this song is actually by an old punk band called The Saints. So that explains that."

Kids dese days

i-type-poorly (September 5, 2003)

"people will write them off"

too late, i hate them

Anonymous (September 5, 2003)

Love this band. The song Bats! is killer.

Anonymous (September 5, 2003)

the mp3 reminded me of the nerve agents, which is a good thing.

-duped

Anonymous (September 5, 2003)

What sucks is this band will fall in the over-hyped shitwagon like the white stripes did and people will write them off. I haven't heard this but I really like the full length.