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Epitaph Records -- Millencolin

The raw rock revival brought to the airwaves by the Strokes and the White Stripes, followed by the infectious dance-pop put forth by the Rapture and the Killers, meant that it was only time until the sounds were successfully merged to fit the new era of music. Temper Temper from Milwaukee, WI, provide the fatal thrust into the heart of acts who are trying to be the next Death From Above 1979 or Bloc Party, by way of a captivating debut. Utilizing the talents of Jim Diamond (the Von Bondies, the White Stripes) does not hurt the endeavor either.

The band makes no attempt to hide the noise they are trying to pin, with “Trust Me” ripping through via a loud, spontaneous twirl of the keyboard element before settling on it as a backbone supporting a dirty drumbeat and hyperactive guitars. This self-titled effort is primed for all forms of pretentious interpretation (yes, they have a song featured on "The O.C."); however, vocalist Pat Fuller paves that dreaded path with a singing style akin to Glen Danzig that remains shadowy even when his supporting cast explodes into dance-rock bliss ("Heart Like a Fist").

Although creativity runs rampant on the record, its initial punch is rather monotonous, with the impression that Temper Temper is merely bastardizing the same tempo repeatedly. Not until you dig deep into the hidden rusty guitar hook in “Trainwreck Flare” or the humbled, yet big rock sound streaming from “Bleed For Me Comrade” can you feel the real talent. Once the songs become more familiar, concealed aspects of the band pop unexpectedly making nearly every song as favorable as the upbeat “Terror Tongue & Cheek,” which is prepped for radio play adjacent to the aforementioned stars.

Temper Temper are not going to convert those already dreading rock’s latest restoration, but with a cunning album that stimulates a new twist on the genre, there is certainly no reason to write them off effortlessly either. Given the opportunity to tackle their faults and expand the garage rock / synth-pop sound I foresee a lucrative future for the quintet.






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    Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, July 5, 2005 at 5:11 PM (EDT)

    It's the same band. Just do some reading, and it's pretty easy to find out.

    Posted by Anonymous on Sunday, July 3, 2005 at 4:49 PM (EDT)

    im not sure if its the same rapture, but there used to be a band on gravity records called the rapture that was good.....can anyone confirm this.....anchors?

    Posted by Anonymous on Sunday, July 3, 2005 at 12:54 PM (EDT)

    Jim diamond is really cool...he produced my favorite New Bomb Turks record.

    Anyway, rockers and rollers - get your asses in gear and get something by the Radio Beats. They are a perfect blend of the Devil Dogs and Teengenerate. I can pay them no higher compliment than that.

    -Ken

    Posted by crazytoledo on 2005-07-02 19:28:15

    they should have called theirselves

    temper squared or temper2 (2 sup;pose to be up higher for squared sign)

    Posted by steveman on 2005-07-01 19:11:23
    My Score:

    This album just bores me... They are alright live, but the cd pretty much sucks.

    Posted by Anonymous on Friday, July 1, 2005 at 12:47 PM (EDT)
    My Score:

    I would like this band more if the members weren't in some of the best bands Milwaukee ever produced. It's sad that they're doing this now.

    Posted by Anonymous on Friday, July 1, 2005 at 9:03 AM (EDT)

    this band has already been around for like 4 years and have always had the same sound so I doubt they're trying to ride anybody's wave, they're just a bit late in getting out a proper album and that's probably too bad for them.

    Posted by Anonymous on Friday, July 1, 2005 at 7:35 AM (EDT)

    I wish Revelation would get their act together.

    Posted by Jesse on 2005-07-01 07:09:51

    "I wish I could read a rockn'roll review that didn't mention the White Stripes or the Strokes like they invented the fucking genre. I mean seriously, when the hype machine was in full force 4 fucking years ago I could let it slide, but everybody STILL does it to this day. It's gone well beyond rediculous and everytime I read those two band names I question the reviewers compitence as a music fan. You still probably compare everyband that comes out of sweden to the Hives and that just makes me sad."

    Well, if you actually read his review, you'll note that he was referring to their popularity and the fact that they were trend riders.

    Posted by Anonymous on Friday, July 1, 2005 at 2:30 AM (EDT)

    I wish I could read a rockn'roll review that didn't mention the White Stripes or the Strokes like they invented the fucking genre. I mean seriously, when the hype machine was in full force 4 fucking years ago I could let it slide, but everybody STILL does it to this day. It's gone well beyond rediculous and everytime I read those two band names I question the reviewers compitence as a music fan. You still probably compare everyband that comes out of sweden to the Hives and that just makes me sad.

    Posted by stevejonestherealbones on 2005-07-01 00:48:03

    no offense kirby but i dont want to read all kinds of words and shit

    - jones the bones

    - stevejones8770@yahoo.com

    Posted by crazytoledo on 2005-07-01 00:44:49

    Terrible Band Name

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