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Bullet Train To Vegas

We Put Scissors Where Our Mouths Are
2005
Nitro

Bullet Train To Vegas - We Put Scissors Where Our Mouths Are (Cover Artwork)

Review by: Brian
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Published on June 7th 2005

Bullet Train To Vegas is the latest in the line of smart moves by Nitro Records. The band executes panicked, hyperactively jagged, cynical post-hardcore / indie rock á la Despistado, but in a much more original manner (read: less obvious At The Drive-In tributing) while owing shades of a dance quality to acts like Q And Not U. As a result, We Put Scissors Where Our Mouths Are is a strikingly unique amalgation of influences for a debut full-length.

The faux-British nip of vocalist Dan Sena puts him somewhere amongst Billy Talent's Benjamin Kowalewicz, the Buzzcocks' Pete Shelley and the Blood Brothers' Johnny Whitney; his voice doesn't necessarily ape or channel all three, but he pulls off the obnoxious high pitches just the same, helping contribute to the art punk quality of Bullet Train's sound. At the same time, there a handful of moments on the disc owing something to the first and last of the respective acts as well as others. The clean scream/sing dynamics in "This Bed's Meant For Two" recall the Blood Brothers while the same can be said for the temper tantrum-like "On The Disclosure" and Billy Talent. "And Sorrow's Native Son" sounds like a displaced moment from Relationship Of Command, with Sena apprehensively wailing "sender / receiver / this message failed!" and a subsequent series of riffs in the same vein. But the way the band isolates these spots is a huge plus in that they're clearly drawing from a diverse handful of acts while never allowing for a consciously continuous stream of mirroring.

The superb trio of cuts that end the disc are just a testament to the overwhelming consistency of Scissors. The first, "Removing Ground," continues the "disconnected thoughts" unintention of the lyrics; the two-part chorus begins with a series of "GO! GO! GO!" chants, leading into a seemingly mid-track breakdown riff and the cut-off explanation of "to cut the chords and to have it understood / to strum the power of a 1000 voices heard..." "Fashion The New Black" is the upbeat predecessor to the apocalyptic hush in "Some Goodbyes Last Forever," the focus of the latter on mildly screeched chords and the haunting whisper of "holy the saint, to slit the throat."

We Put Scissors Where Our Mouths Are is a half hour of fairly challenging, angular and sufficiently complex yet equally catchy and fun indie rock, pushed forward by a well-respected group of bands influencing the sound. Bullet Train To Vegas has immediately proved a knack for manipulating the recipe for writing great, creative songs without compromising anything along the way.

MP3
Cut The Party To Pieces

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Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, August 4, 2005 at 6:24 AM (EDT)

Would just like to point out to iamfuck you that JR Ewing are from Oslo, NORWAY, not that smelly neighbour Sweden. Just so you know..

Posted by Anonymous on Sunday, June 19, 2005 at 5:42 PM (EDT)

Bullet Train to Moscow in AZ...I think they won Best Hardcore band at the AIM awards this year? heard they have a kickass live show, haven't seen em yet

Posted by Anonymous on Monday, June 13, 2005 at 4:45 PM (EDT)
My Score:

let's namedrop!

Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, June 11, 2005 at 9:15 PM (EDT)

this band kicks ass

and nice guys to boot

Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, June 9, 2005 at 11:42 PM (EDT)

"Form Of Rocket reminds me of Jehu."

I'll have to look back into them. I saw them about two years ago with Strung Out when I was much more close-minded with music.

CorpseOfMyMotivation

Posted by Sally_Field on 2005-06-09 22:27:35

References to Drive Like Jehu and Clikitat make this sound pretty promising. kewl.

Posted by CherryColaRain on 2005-06-09 01:40:33
My Score:

I like what I hear! They do kind of sound like a lighter version of the Blood Bros. or something or other like Drive Like Jehu. But still its a good sound and they aren't really ripping any band off. Both thumbs up for this one.

Posted by iamfuckyou on 2005-06-09 01:11:54

yeah, garden variety were east coast, hence the first record on gern blandsten...as i mentioned, tired brain. the rest however...

Posted by pastepunk on 2005-06-08 22:54:46

Technically, Garden Variety were from Long Island, Scott. http://www.gernblandsten.com/index.php?option=content&task=catego ry§ionid=2&id=14

Greaaaaat band.

Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, June 8, 2005 at 9:17 PM (EDT)

Form Of Rocket reminds me of Jehu. Well, they remind me of the Yank Crime album which is by far the best thing ever to happen to anything anywhere except for like a couple other albums. Also I was driving this girls car where I work and she was playing this 4-song thinger from a band called Trina and Annie on Violent Hippy Records. Think riot grrls just finally fuckin' snap. I'm gonna find her and make her burn me a copy.

Posted by maverick on 2005-06-08 15:58:12

Garden Variety was San Diego? I thought they were from Brooklyn.

-Scott

Posted by Anchors on 2005-06-08 14:15:38

Apparently I forgot to type "rules."

Posted by Anchors on 2005-06-08 14:14:55

Clikitat Ikatowi

Posted by iamfuckyou on 2005-06-08 03:22:11

to the kid below requesting bands that are in the same realm as Drive Like Jehu:

Garden Variety
Clikitat Ikatowi (check out Gravity Records from SD)
VSS
Tanner
Spanakorzo
Trans Megetti
I Wish I
JR Ewing (newer rendition)

that list is funny, san diego, san diego, san diego, SWEDEN!!! sorry, my brain is tired, there's more i'm missing...

Posted by stevejonestherealbones on 2005-06-08 00:28:57

fuck i looked at the EP review...whenever this band is mentioned it turns into a who can sAY jehu first jackoff fest...i think in news posts there should be a disclaimer saying that this band is named after a jehu song and any further talk of that gets a spanking

- jones the bones

- stevejones8770@yahoo.com

- should we give it a mohalk and a wheelchair?

Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, June 8, 2005 at 12:22 AM (EDT)

drive like jehu has a song called bullet train to vegas

Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, June 8, 2005 at 12:22 AM (EDT)

it seems like this band is going to build its fanbase around people who recognize the jehu reference

Posted by slippy on 2005-06-07 22:44:43

This sounds nothing like Brazil.

Posted by slippy on 2005-06-07 22:44:21

That mp3 sounded just like a manic Q and Not U. I liked it. It also sort of reminded me of Thunderbirds are Now!, in a way.

Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, June 7, 2005 at 5:32 PM (EDT)

Drive Like Jehu- fucking amazing. Bullet Train to Vegas- kinda boring. remind me of Brazil.

Posted by pastepunk on 2005-06-07 15:12:40

I'm just getting into Drive Like Jehu and really liking them. Can somebody recommend some other cool bands that play the same type of music (other than Hot Snakes; I know about them already). Thanks.

CorpseOfMyMotivation

---

SADAHARU on CI Records. Killer band.

Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, June 7, 2005 at 2:47 PM (EDT)

Also, is anyone aware that there's a much shittier band in Arizona that's been around a bit longer called Bullet Train to Moscow?

Corpse

Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, June 7, 2005 at 2:46 PM (EDT)

Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, June 7, 2005 at 2:16 PM (EDT)

these guys do not touch jehu. Lets root for the hot snakes to go on tour and play bullet train to vegas again

Posted by corpseofmymotivation on 2005-06-07 13:51:31

I just picked up their debut EP and wasn't too impressed. Then I heard some tracks off of this album and couldn't wait to get my hands on it. I'll probably pick it up when I catch them with Bear Vs. Shark and Planes Mistaken For Stars.

Posted by pastepunk on 2005-06-07 12:09:27

The Drive LIke Jehu comparisons are lazy and tenuous at best. Pitting this album against ANYTHING in the DLJ discography will prove this point, and yet people will continue to run their mouths without concern...

Posted by i-type-poorly on 2005-06-07 11:37:38

It's been said already, but it feels so good to type.

Drive Like Jehu!

Posted by incetardis on 2005-06-07 06:12:03
My Score:

haven't these guys been into that emo band GIVE UNTIL GONE or something? quite a change.

Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, June 7, 2005 at 4:11 AM (EDT)

Sounds like a lighter version of blood brothers

Posted by stevejonestherealbones on 2005-06-07 02:30:54

i cant wait to buy this then put it up my butt.

i cant wait till tomorrow ...dbs...this..aquabats....something else

- jones the bones

- stevejones8770@yahoo.com

Posted by Kenjamin on 2005-06-07 01:58:04

so there's no relation to jehu?

Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, June 7, 2005 at 12:44 AM (EDT)

Drive Like Jehu!!!

Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, June 7, 2005 at 12:30 AM (EDT)

I saw these guys live and I was not impressed. Let's hope their album is better.

Posted by maverick on 2005-06-07 00:28:55
My Score:

This band fucks shit up like it's going out of style. I can't wait for the A Wilhelm Scream/Bullet Train To Vegas/The Letters Organize tour (if it ever happens, I mean).

-Scott

Posted by aubin on 2005-06-07 00:16:22

Nice review Brian; and yes, I agree that Nitro is on a roll lately.

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