Punknews.org | Left Alone - Lonely Starts & Broken Hearts

Review Navigator

Features

Reviews

Left Alone

Lonely Starts & Broken Hearts
2005
Hellcat

Left Alone - Lonely Starts & Broken Hearts (Cover Artwork)

Review by: Anchors
See others by this writer

Left Alone (link)

Only registered users
can post comments

Published on September 16th 2005

I want a patent. I want a patent on using the term ‘broken heart’ anywhere near an album title, song title, or any of those song's lyrics. This is primarily to keep bands who could otherwise think of creative album or song concepts from falling into the deep, deep well of cliché. I think at this point, the term ‘broken heart’ has been used more in music than the word ‘the.’ It’s time to end the trend, but nobody gave any sort of notice to Hellcat Records’ Left Alone.

Despite the apparent creative shortcomings, Lonely Starts & Broken Hearts is a solid, albeit at times painfully mediocre, blast of punk rock. Dashes of Swingin’ Utters and Rancid can be found, alongside some quick splurges of ska parts here and there. It’s mid-tempo punk rock done as it’s been done so many times before, unfortunately offering little reprieve from the monotony.

The band has a relatively solid musical base, and while they’re not playing the most difficult of musical arrangements, at least it’s something. The band writes some genuinely fun tunes (“My 62,”), but for those who are seeking something more this is likely not the album for you. Things just become a tad too repetitive as the album wears on. The chords don’t differentiate much, only in tempo, and the same sneering vocal style doesn’t offer any of the missing variation there. Again, the tempo changes, depending on it being a traditional punk effort or one with some ska leanings, but it quickly becomes monotonous. The lyrics don’t fare much differently; simply put, they’re redundant.

I will give credit where it’s due, however: The band does seem to put a lot of emotion and passion into what they’re playing, and that much is apparent after repeated listens to the album. It’s just a shame how none of that emotional energy really ever becomes all that effective. The band's energies and passion simply cannot carry over into their songwriting process, and the album’s result, while gritty and raw, is just something that falls short. If you find yourself listening to any other Hellcat bands, I see no reason that you won’t enjoy the latest effort from Left Alone. But if you need more to break up monotony than a quick, heavy bassline every few songs, you’d be wise to look elsewhere.

Login to rate this album

Please login or register to post comments.

What are the benefits of having a Punknews.org account?

Share your opinion by posting comments on the stories that interest you
Rate music and bands and help shape the weekly top ten
Let Punknews.org use your ratings to help you find bands and albums you might like
Customize features on the site to get the news the way you want.

Posted by keylay on 2007-03-09 12:35:22
My Score:

garbage band garbage people

Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, April 6, 2006 at 6:24 AM (EDT)
My Score:

great album compare to the sh!t that out right now.
it's a little emo-ish sometimes but overall good.

Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, March 28, 2006 at 12:02 AM (EST)
My Score:

fuck i love this album

Posted by Anonymous on Sunday, March 26, 2006 at 8:10 PM (EST)

I think it's okay besides me and the drummer have a thing he lives by me and he is sexy but overall the lyrics do have a emo-ish sound no offense

Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, December 17, 2005 at 1:31 PM (EST)
My Score:

fucking brilliant

Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, December 17, 2005 at 1:30 PM (EST)

absoluty fucking great album

Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, October 19, 2005 at 3:52 AM (EDT)
My Score:

I disagree with comments said in the above review. I think left alone is great upcoming band I know some lyrics are
soft but like any band some song just dont apeal to some people. looking forward to seen this band play live.

Posted by tylerdurden8136 on 2005-10-12 23:05:01
My Score:

Just about every song on this cd had me moving like a mad man and just being at a live show all you HATERS will no exactly what i'm talking about.

i know exactly what you're talking about. if you see these guys live, you just can't help but love 'em. so much fucking energy and stage presence...i'd say their live show is better than the actual album.

Posted by Anonymous on Monday, October 10, 2005 at 9:58 PM (EDT)
My Score:

i have to disagree with most of you, while its nothing new, this is some pretty good music. and so what if they write song about being "broken-hearted", alot of bands do. if your reading these reviews,a tleast check the abnd out. and theya very energetic live band. good album.

Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, October 5, 2005 at 6:15 AM (EDT)
My Score:

The lyrics to the album might be emotional but look at the name of the band atleast there keeping it real. Just about every song on this cd had me moving like a mad man and just being at a live show all you HATERS will no exactly what i'm talking about. So keep rocken guys and i cant wait for there next album. See you in febuary. From your boy at W.P.B, FL. (DZ)

Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, October 5, 2005 at 6:14 AM (EDT)
My Score:

Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, September 22, 2005 at 3:32 PM (EDT)

No substance, Not even a good Rancid knock-off, No energy or passion in my eyes. This band reminds me of some local band that has its fans but just really isnt doing anything meaningful. Should of known better especially when the band is called "Left Alone".

Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, September 20, 2005 at 8:36 AM (EDT)
My Score:

Slightly harsh review. Yeah, they're not doing anything that Rancid, Swingin' Utters, Ann Beretta etc haven't done before but they do it pretty well.

Posted by alahanno on 2005-09-19 14:34:46
My Score:

i dont see whats wrong with this record other than maybe a little too much love lyrics. my whole life is the shit

Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, September 17, 2005 at 4:08 PM (EDT)

This shit is fucking stupid

Posted by wehavecomeforyourchildren on 2005-09-17 15:48:21

"Hellcat is Rancid's label for signing bands that sound like Rancid."

i think that's a buddyhead quote but i can't say for sure. truer words have never been spoken though.

Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, September 17, 2005 at 1:54 AM (EDT)

"Hearts and nautical stars?!

Score!"

I laughed.

Posted by Scruffy on 2005-09-16 19:40:20

Hearts and nautical stars?!

Score!

Posted by Anonymous on Friday, September 16, 2005 at 4:08 PM (EDT)
My Score:

I like the ska stuff on here. This band definitley has potential, but it's lacking energy in a lot of the songs

Posted by psychoos231 on 2005-09-16 15:48:00
My Score:

Thorp should have put this out instead

Posted by skankin_in_the_pit on 2005-09-16 14:44:28
My Score:

The only positive thing I can say about this album is a couple of the songs remind me a little of Capdown. I can't get through most of these songs without cringing from the lyrics.

Posted by gladimnotemo on 2005-09-16 14:01:04
My Score:

I wonder why Hellcat put this out. Most of their albums are top-notch, but this seems to be getting really terrible reviews.

Posted by notfeelingcreative on 2005-09-16 13:40:30
My Score:

Basic rancid influenced punk, I like it, nothing new or outstanding at all, but still not enitrely bad.

Posted by Anonymous on Friday, September 16, 2005 at 1:32 PM (EDT)
My Score:

I agree. It's not great. It has a few good tunes ("My 62", "Another Feeling"), but overall it's like, boring stale punk rock with emo-esque lyrics. (I'm not trashing emo, I'm just making comparison).

Features

Contests

Reviews

Left Alone