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Pericles

Fuck Your Etiquette (2005)
Chung-Ho

Reviewer Rating:

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

Published on July 13th 2007

No matter how old that I get (not that I’m pushing retirement by any standards), I retain the same appreciation I’ve had since I was 14 for catchy punk rock. It’s been ingrained in me longer than that, even: I still remember hearing Green Day’s “Basket Case” for the first time at the age of eight, and annoying the hell out of my parents by singing the words I could remember all over the house.

Some of that is to say a band doesn’t really have to be all that innovative, or even overly talented, to be enjoyable. Allston, Massachusetts’ Pericles are benefactors of this viewpoint, because while nothing on Fuck Your Etiquette is remotely new or revolutionary, it’s enjoyable to listen to the band play some great punk rock, and at times, turn up the intensity for a more hardcore approach.

Either way, they keep it fast-paced, and they keep it hard-hitting. As soon as the distorted riffing for “Ol’ Amercian Booger” kicks in, it’s plenty clear that it’s going to be, if nothing else, a very bumpy ride. Pulling out all the stops in the record's first two minutes, Pericles mix some smooth guitar solos as a melodic undercurrent to the pummeling riffing that’s at the forefront, before slowing quickly down to a more mellowed groove. The quick transition is a smooth one though, and it helps to introduce the raspy vocals in a more reserved manner than they’ll appear on the rest of the album.

And they waste little time introducing that harsher side of their music.

“The Gringo Has Come” keeps a much more simple, abrasive rhythm, and the raspy vocals become much more intense, much more in your face. The way they approached constructing this album was an interesting one, as many of the songs seem to reveal additional facets of the music that previous tracks did not. It’s almost like they’re hiding specific facets of their recording to be released at very specific times. “The Gringo Has Come” was one example of that, and “Me Nombre Es Pericles!” is another. An all-out vocal assault, the intensity brought on this track is something that was previously kept to a minimum, but it’s quite obvious by this point that they’re done holding back. “Guardian Cowboy” continues the flow with some of the best guitar playing on the album; the fluid and melodic progressions carry another quick and vigorous offering with a versatility they had yet to bring out.

Yes, you’ve probably heard it before. But if you’ve liked it once, you’ll like it again.

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Anonymous (July 26, 2007)

Not really my style...but they got potential...

Anonymous (July 25, 2007)

very nice

Anonymous (July 22, 2007)

Alright i guess..nothing new...

Anonymous (July 21, 2007)

sounds good

ime (July 21, 2007)

grrrr they left out the "hearts you" at the end of the first comment =P AGAIN: BUY THEIR ALBUM! or check at their myspace http://myspace.com/gopericles

ime (July 20, 2007)

p.s. but their album on itunes now!!!

ime (July 20, 2007)

theyre originally from the dominican republic and have released an album prior to this one in spanish =) pericles' tunes tend to be fast and up beat yet they also have a more melodic side to them thats just as inviting and well recieved by fans as their hardcore edge. the band's live performances are definitely worth witnessing, each group member has an undescribable energy to them thats wrapped around a sense of humor and dipped in exciting, jump-around-feel-good fuel. pericles manages to capture the beauty in simplicity, theyre not overwhelming, theyre just good ol fashion punk =)

garfio, cachapz, palero n paulligan: ime

Anonymous (July 17, 2007)

sound good...a little repeatable at times but hey this aint supposed to be mathcore or whatever...

Anonymous (July 17, 2007)

I think this has potential...as long as they dont fall in the sophmore slump category with another release...so many bands start out with a good or killer debut..only to fuck it up on the next...

Anonymous (July 16, 2007)

they are a band that started in the dominican republic but now are based in allston. this release is pretty good i cant wait till they put something new out.

Anonymous (July 16, 2007)

I thought they were from allston...

Anonymous (July 16, 2007)

i thought they were from the dominican?

Anonymous (July 15, 2007)

definetly been done before..but doesnt mean its not good...

jt (July 15, 2007)

a good, local, allston punk band

Anonymous (July 15, 2007)

This is a decent release IMO....fuck yellowcard

Anonymous (July 15, 2007)

Ive heard better...but ive also heard worse...

Anonymous (July 14, 2007)

Pericles are fucking awesome. You're right though that some tracks are skippable, but the good ones are GOOOOOOD. Go see them live in an Allston basement, you'll be pleasently suprised

Anonymous (July 14, 2007)

Just go to Yellowcard's Myspace page, all the songs are streaming, your ears will thank you later!

Anonymous (July 14, 2007)

After yellowcards last cd i cant even bring myself to hear this one...

nate_derby (July 14, 2007)

After reading all these Yellowcard posts, I am so excited for Paper Walls to come out so I can promptly wipe my ass with it.

Strike that, I won't even give them the satisfaction of taking my money.

Anonymous (July 13, 2007)

Ive heard some tracks from them but they try to hard..some songs have potential but most are just plain skippable..

Anonymous (July 13, 2007)

this shit is way up there with dillinger four!!

Anonymous (July 13, 2007)

this band sucks and so does yellowcard

Anonymous (July 13, 2007)

Wow, the cover is something else. A band that choose not to use profanity to catch your attention, but rather uses hooks and melody and throws in some violin, is Yellowcard. They are poppy-rock-punk and have put thier heart into their newest release Paper Walls.