Punknews.orgPunknews.org Logo
Review Navigator

BackForward

Features

 

Contests

 




Reviews

Bad Religion - New Maps of Hell (Deluxe)
Register to Vote: Rock the Vote, powered by Credo Mobile

You could say Howards Alias' Beat Heart. Beat is a band's attempt to bring a foreign outfit's sound to fruition in said band's native land. And thus, you could potentially call Howards Alias "the United Kingdom's RX Bandits." While the band does make noticable usage of horns, it's much less ska-punk as it is prog-influenced punk/rock with horns, with that same RXB-styled semi-experimentalism and, although much less prominent here, socio-politico overtones. Their melodies, fluid and staccato stop-starts, and general flow is definitively similar as well, and yet, it's an interesting album that manages to move somewhat past these glaring details and showcase a lot of potential for fulfilling their own little niche.

The mid-tempo stomp of "Wrong Note" opens things up, and acts merely as a subtle pull-in before the melodic, upbeat and BHB's best track, "Rabbit In Headlights," swings through. It's a catchy, declarative number that could definitely make some rounds on the college rock charts if given the chance. "Exit on Left" puts forth some heavily strummed upstrokes to try and give some of the record the dub/reggae flavor that's likely to complement the band's sound well if implemented more. The record seems to really lose its steam as it marches on, and with 13 tracks spanning nearly an hour certainly drags. However, it has its moments; the near six-minute "Time for Bed" brings together some interesting composure as it winds down, a track that doesn't change much up to keep your interest enough but ends on a moderate bang.

Beat Heart. Beat is awfully long and lacking a bit in originality, but if it's the beginnings of a major overhaul, then I'm certainly looking forward to what comes next. Another record or two this band could be making some "editor's choice"-style lists; it's just doubtful this'll be the one that breaks them.

MP3s
Rabbit In Headlights
The Explanation






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 spoon_of_grimbo on 2007-01-15 09:21:06
    My Score:

    this is a great album, as was the one before it "the answer is never" which was a fucking masterpiece.

    AND THEY'VE REFORMED!!!!

    Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, November 10, 2005 at 4:05 AM (EST)
    My Score:

    Sadly enough they were the second best band the uk had to offer, behind the filaments who have also broken up this year.

    This album is one of the best albums I have ever heard.

    Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, November 2, 2005 at 7:18 PM (EST)

    Leave Brian alone!

    Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, November 2, 2005 at 1:39 PM (EST)

    Check out this band's first album, the Chameleon Script. Fucking amazing.

    Posted by davebrave4 on 2005-11-01 22:11:50

    This sounds like just what we need in a sea of trendy metalcore and emo bands.

    Even if they did bread up.

    Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, November 1, 2005 at 12:21 PM (EST)

    yes, it's really tough to go to their website and see that its right there on their front page.

    its just hard to take a review seriously when a bunch of poor assumptions are made about a band's history and future. lame.

    Posted by inagreendase on 2005-11-01 11:42:36

    Nice fact checking there.

    Fact-checking? I got this album in the mail for review a few weeks ago. I think it's sort of a given a band is still together when their new full-length is being publicized, and thus I shouldn't have to check whether or not the band in question broke up, especially when the press release makes no mention of it. On top of the bio on their label page saying nothing regarding it.

    Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, November 1, 2005 at 11:42 AM (EST)

    Wow this band suck, theyr'e playing ska punk like it's 1997 again, somebody forgot to tell them it's 2005.

    I'm glad they broke up, and as they put it the other week at a gig i was at "were breaking up because we suck" I agree!

    Ideas for new band

    Victory Styled tough guy hardcore
    a Metal tinged "emo" band.

    Now you'll be able to sell more records to kids.

    Posted by axx on 2005-11-01 05:55:42

    yeah nice, it looks like you really know what your are talking about.
    this is their 3rd and last albums..
    to say this album is "lacking a bit in originality" is pretty tough, since I can't really think of any band to compare them with. RXB a bit, but even then, the feeling is quite different.

    "Beat Heart, Beat" is pretty much an evolution from their second effort "The Answer is Never". Check it out too.

    Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, November 1, 2005 at 1:37 AM (EST)

    hahahah.

    They totally broke up this summer. Nice fact checking there.

    London bands to check out, freal, (who are still together):

    Captain Everything! (I'm interested if they'll sound the same post-Rich.)

    No Comply (I dont have any albums, but the live show is usually awesome) and

    Fireapple Red (seems like they've been on the cusp of being the next big thing for awhile. I bet this is the year.)

    Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, November 1, 2005 at 1:03 AM (EST)

    They broke up...

    © 1999-2006 Punknews.org • Terms of Use • Privacy • FAQ • About • ISSN 1710-5366 • RSS RSS Icon