Punknews.org

|
Sign In | create an account

Stabbed in Back

A Portrait of Noise (2006)
Basement Records

Reviewer Rating:

Contributed by: Anchors
(others by this writer | submit your own)

Published on February 2nd 2007

Barring the name of the band, which admittedly conjures images of middle schoolers practicing mosh moves in their bedroom, Stabbed in Back have compiled an impressive four-song EP by way of Basement Records. The snotty punk rock is not unlike that which bands such as Rancid and the Unseen rose to prominence with, but it also balances the sing-along melodic hardcore qualities of a Crime in Stereo or No Trigger right along with it.

There’s not much variety to be found with the band or this release, but they actually don’t need it. With only four tracks and 11 minutes worth of music, the most important thing for the band to do is establish a memorable and engaging sound. A sound that will make people remember the name, and make them want nothing more than to hear a followup full-length.

And in that right, they’ve met with nothing but success. Each of the four tracks is just as rousing and full of energy as the last, with the gruff vocalist trudging over the rollicking riffs laid forth beneath him. “When Laughter Turns to Screams” combines some absolutely infectious gang vocals at the chorus with some great chord progressions that speed the song along in what seems like no time at all. Around every turn there’s a heavy but fluid riff and some full-sounding vocals to smack you in the face. “Hopeless Romantic” separates itself by losing the gang vocals and going for a more straightforward punk rock approach -- the terrific riffing and occasional slick solo leading the charge. As I mentioned before, they won’t be winning any awards for variety any time soon, but they do change it up enough to remain interesting throughout.

A great prelude to what could potentially be a great full-length too. The pieces are in place, the energy is there, all this solid blast of punk rock needs is more time to run as wild as the men playing it will allow.

Login to rate this album

People who liked this also liked:

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.

muckymuck (July 30, 2009)

cool photo

i want your dicks

Anonymous (February 15, 2007)

great!!!!

Anonymous (February 4, 2007)

Way to pick on a chick you pussy !

Scruffy (February 4, 2007)

If you want to talk crap about people talking crap, why don't YOU do it from somewhere other than behind a computer.
Only morons think what you said actually counts as a viable argument. Learn grammar.

Anonymous (February 4, 2007)

I think the ep is really good, I got it a few months ago in a contest I won. If all you people want to talk crap why dont you do it from somewhere other then behind a computer. If I wasnt a chick I F*ck all you up !

Phantom_Maggot (February 3, 2007)

Hmm...I think the old drummer from the Lillingtons is in this band...they're nothing very speical though...

feeeding5000 (February 2, 2007)

Oh, these guys have sponsors! Sponsors! Like a fucking foot ball team!
-feeeding5000

Icapped2pac (February 2, 2007)

*sung by Bobcat Goldthwait..... had to wait for the name to come to me

Icapped2pac (February 2, 2007)

The music had me for about 30 seconds but then came the puke vocals. Sounds like the vocalist needs to find a better style to suit him, because he came off sounding like a bad Kid Dynamite impression sung by .

And when you only have one song on your myspace page, it better be a fuckin banger.

Anonymous (February 2, 2007)

No, dude. Feeding is right. A 7" should last about as long as a beer. That is the rule.

-Ken

Anonymous (February 2, 2007)

"Stabbed in the Back"?

no...Stabbed In Back. Note the lack of grammar.

Anonymous (February 2, 2007)

so, a 4 song ep should be four minutes long ,or less, making each song 1 minute or less...

you're a dumbshit.

Anonymous (February 2, 2007)

This sounds really generic and poorly thought out. A streetpunk/melodic hardcore band? Called "Stabbed in the Back"? This is the band I would have started 4 years ago...when I was in middle school. Plus, a 4-track EP is supposed to be 4 minutes long (or fewer).
-feeeding5000