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| The Silence / Army Of Freshmen / Split Habit / Suburban LegendsCasino Chips and Sunset Strips2004 Brand New Hero 
  Review by: KirbyPuckett See others by this writer ![[staff]](/images/icons/staffsticker.gif){kind=icon}
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 Published on July 13th 2004
Hey all you readers over in the United Kingdom, listen up! Your friends over at Brand New Hero Records think that America has a ton of great new musical acts. They’ve decided that it would be in your best interest to release a compilation with four bands whose music has never been available overseas before. Not a bad gesture for a small price, huh? Let’s see what you guys get… First up is the Silence. After hearing their tunes I can’t say I like them. It’s upbeat rock music with vocals that switch from melodic to screaming at all the right moments. This sound is rather popular and it’s a given that it will sell. Coming up second is the Army of Freshman, think of the Get Up Kids (pre On A Wire) doing the Funky Chicken with Zebrahead. I don’t think that mixture is supposed to sound the least bit listenable, but somehow it sort of works. The three songs handed over are keyboard lead pop-punk jams with a mixture of rapping vocals that feel perfect on a cool summer evening. I’ve recently reviewed Split Habit’s debut album Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is and I enjoyed it. Novelty pop-punk filled with spurts of fun help make their donation to the compilation so enjoyable. “$100 Guarantee” is crammed with buoyant guitar hooks and an instantly contagious chorus. If that’s not enough there’s a cover of Hall & Oats’ “Lady Killer!” Finishing up are the Suburban Legends. SKA! It’s time for another wave of Ska to hit the scene and maybe if that day comes I’m sure Suburban Legends could be one of the front runners. They play their genre in the same vein as Reel Big Fish, “All The Nights sounds like a b-side from Cheer Up. There are chorus’ that beg for you to add your vocals, a horn section giving you a reason to shake your rump, along with tons of amusement! You could argue that Brand New Hero Records picked some bad bands to present the United Kingdom with in order to show what the States have to offer, but they could have chosen much, much worse. By no means are any of these groups breathtaking, however none are terrible either. At a cheap price these twelve songs make up a pretty decent mix. MP3s:
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PSSSS- Thank you, sailor boy! Of course I've heard more american bands. America is a much bigger country, with more investment in music and more people to from a band. I never said UK punk scene kicks US ass, but of course, all you patriots rush in and defend it all by throwing abuse and making stupid comments to "prove" US is a better punk scene that UK. I was simply saying the UK punk scene is not dead as some shithead said. My example was a new band that is doing well. Also, from the UK kids I talked to, I'm willing to bet ChrisAFI or whoever has heard more American punk than British. Just a guess. I don't know about you, but I'm willing to be JAMAICA has the best ska scene. I mean, yeah, I'm all for ridiculously dressed white guys, too, though. guys, these bands are American.... "Watch your mouth boy about the British punk scene. What so I'm british and not allowed to like American bands? Yeah but your name is ChrisAFI. Queerbait retardo numbnut! Watch your mouth boy about the British punk scene. What the fuck?! British bands are the best in the world right now. We have the best ska scene in the world, with some of the most inventive bands and songwriters around. Seriously, pull your head out your arse and realise that there's more to the world than the US. As far as I'm concerned, British punk died when all of the kids started trying to imitate the Americans. This simply isn't British music, and I don't like it for that. English punk used to have its own twist, they don't even sing in English accents anymore. And I hate it when American bands sing like they're English. i finally got a chace to the suburban legends live not too long ago, and their live show is one of the most energetic ive ever seen. the crowd wasnt really diggin it though, which isnt really that weird because about 90% of the crowd was there for Reel Big Fish and hadnt even heard of the other bands. i usually love this kind of music, but shit, this army of freshmen band sounds like they made their songs in 5 minutes.... and the vocals... were they written by a dysfunctional 5 year old boy or what? the singer of CAttle Decapitation sounds like Donald Duck. |
