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Bad Religion - New Maps of Hell (Deluxe)
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Plenty of punk bands have gone on to forge straits in alt-country. Influential acts like the Replacements, the Lemonheads and latter-day bands like the Weakerthans and Drag the River that feature members of prominent punk bands have shown that there’s more to country than tractors, nationalism, and being a redneck. Orange County’s Limbeck also began their careers with more of a punk approach in their split with fellow Orange County pop-punkers Home Grown. However, Limbeck made the transformation to alt-country much more quickly than their predecessors.

Limbeck’s latest offering is an appropriate extension of their past work in a mixture of pop hooks, country twangs, and basic rock and roll structures. This tried and true formula has worked for decades, and Limbeck appear to have carved out a nice little niche in the punk scene with their country-infused sound.

That said, this record seems to have less of the songs that will satisfy the punk crowd, as there aren’t really the “’91 Honda”s, “29 Times”s or “Watchin’ the Moon Rise Over Town”s that exploded with energy in the past. However, “Keeping Busy” is easily one of the best songs on the album with an upbeat rhythm and an implausibly catchy chorus. “Let’s Get Crazy” follows a similar path to success while working in some country guitar playing and a foot-tapping rhythm. The folksy “Your Story” trots to a clap-along beat, a steady, bobbing bassline, and twangy guitar playing.

The majority of the album’s music is simple yet breezy country rock with equally to-the-point lyrics about everyday life. More than a couple songs feature additional instruments like keyboard, tambourines, and trombones like in the standout rock song “Wake Up."

Limbeck is Limbeck, pure and simple. Their light-hearted brand of country is slightly less energetic here than previous offerings, but still proves an enjoyable listen -- great for long drives, lazy afternoons, or any time fun, easygoing music is deemed ideal.



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    Posted by Holy_Balls on 2007-09-07 04:50:19
    My Score:

    This CD is better than Let Me Come Home for sure.

    Posted by Swook on 2007-04-12 15:36:33

    Full album streaming on purevolume.com/limbeck

    Posted by muskawo_ on 2007-04-12 03:18:59
    My Score:

    This album hasnt sunk in enough yet for me, but Limbeck are one of my favourite bands and nice guys too, and awesome live.

    They really need more attention than they have been getting.

    Posted by I-type-poorly on 2007-04-10 21:25:40
    My Score:

    "Yeah, this is Limbeck... I think I'm just gonna take off. Thanks anyway."
    "Nooooooooooooo, Limbeck!"

    score's for Lembach

    Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, April 10, 2007 at 8:47 PM (EDT)

    Crow: "Did you guys hear? Limbeck is Staying!!!"
    Mike: "Limbeck is Staying?!?"

    -Ken

    Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, April 10, 2007 at 6:04 PM (EDT)
    My Score:

    eww....scrub it off

    Posted by allyeah on 2007-04-10 15:28:48

    Go see these guys play, it's a party every time.

    Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, April 10, 2007 at 1:23 PM (EDT)

    I just saw these guys last Saturday and they totally blew it.

    Posted by I-type-poorly on 2007-04-10 11:01:14

    They're still doing the country thing? Man... it was clever the first time, but now it just seems like they're milking it.

    Posted by homie on 2007-04-10 10:42:49
    My Score:

    "I Wrote This Down" has to be one of my favourite songs. A good band who manage to write a really great song every once in a while.

    Posted by DarrenMcLeod on 2007-04-10 02:19:24

    I've enjoyed past releases from Limbeck, but I haven't been able to get into this one at all. I'm not sure they successfully pulled off the more serious sound they were going for.

    Posted by GlassPipeMurder on 2007-04-10 01:05:57

    i didn't say they were they were particularly they're strongest, they're just some of the more energetic ones. i happen to think they're quite good though. Just saw Limbeck live tonight with Hot Rod Circuit and the Forecast and the new songs "Keeping Busy" and "Let's Get Crazy" sounded great. Spacey Casey played pedal steel.

    Posted by R3venge_Therapy on 2007-04-10 00:27:26

    I have all three of Limbeck's full lengths, so I obviously really like them, but I really don't think any of the tracks you mentioned from past albums are their strongest. If this sounds anything like the past two records (especially Hi, Everything's Great) I think I'll like it a lot.

    Posted by joshcbfl on 2007-04-10 00:22:11

    I'll have to check this out.

    Posted by inagreendase on 2007-04-10 00:21:25
    My Score:

    Does this remind anyone else of the New Amsterdams? Yeah, I know both bands have heavy alt-country influences but even the vocals sound an awful lot like Matt.

    It's weird. I like Limbeck's last album and the 'party' remake. I like NewAms. But I can't get into this at all, really.

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