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Witches with Dicks

American Railroads [7 inch]
2007
Kiss of Death / Shock to the System

Witches with Dicks - American Railroads [7 inch] (Cover Artwork)

Review by: Ben_Conoley
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Published on August 24th 2007

Hey now, here's something I can get into. Take really gruff post-punk vocals and pair it with good and simple pop-punk arrangements and you get Witches With Dicks. Despite the band's unfortunate name (shouldn't it just be Wizards?), Witches with Dicks deserve to have their records added to the collections of anybody into bands such as Screeching Weasel and Dillinger Four.

American Railroads is the followup to the band's first full-length Manual. It's certainly a suitable followup and one that will leave any fan of their previous work happy. At first listen, Witches with Dicks might come off as an inferior Dillinger Four (but c'mon, even an inferior Dillinger Four can be pretty good), but after spending some time with American Railroads it becomes clear that while Witches with Dicks certainly aren't trailblazers as far as genre-defying records go, they are good at what they do and they manage to have a ton of fun in the process. Having the entire group take part in vocal duties adds a lot to the feeling that the band love creating music together and also provides some variety in vocal delivery. Their songs are short, hard and poppy enough to maintain any accessibility necessary to allow the listener to become hooked at first listen. Don't venture too far from your record player, though, because this one's over almost as soon as it gets started -- the first song, "Felix Havoc's Boots" is only ten seconds long, however, both "Next of Skin" and "Second Chance" break the minute mark.

Although Witches with Dicks don't take themselves too seriously, their subject matter isn't fluffy. They fall somewhere in between singing about breakups and singing about anarchy, stopping often for moments of reflection and self-criticism.

Those of you without a record player are out of luck: This one's only on vinyl.

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Posted by Scruffy on 2007-08-28 00:15:50

"Despite the band's unfortunate name (shouldn't it just be Wizards?)"

I thought it was more like female witches with dicks. You know, like hermaphrodites with powers.

Posted by PervyD on 2007-08-27 17:24:50
My Score:

"Despite the band's unfortunate name (shouldn't it just be Wizards?)"

Laughed my ass off on that one. Score is for the line.

Posted by Anonymous on Monday, August 27, 2007 at 12:24 AM (EDT)
My Score:

I'm soooo disapointed these guys are breaking up. I just got this record yesterday. The songs are up to par with Manual, which is one of the best albums of the past few years. Can't wait to see them at the fest.

Posted by Anonymous on Sunday, August 26, 2007 at 2:09 AM (EDT)
My Score:

Kill Of Death rules. Tampa represent!

Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, August 25, 2007 at 10:39 AM (EDT)

yhse guys are sweet

Posted by kamikazepilot42 on 2007-08-25 00:38:08

I forgot about this band until I saw this review. I saw them live a while ago and was really impressed.

Posted by Anonymous on Friday, August 24, 2007 at 7:37 PM (EDT)

pro tip: witches with dicks are warlocks.

Posted by Anonymous on Friday, August 24, 2007 at 5:26 PM (EDT)
My Score:

this 7" is really good. i liked the lemon heads cover.
also, if that band with the monikers guitarist is true, my head will explode. where did you here about that?

Posted by skankin_in_the_pit on 2007-08-24 16:21:23

The D4 influence seems to be most prevalent, but there is definitely a lot Screeching Weasel, 'Mats, and all the other great Midwestern bands thrown in there. I bet at least 90% of Witches with Dicks fans are into 'the weasel' so the dude below is fucking nuts.

Posted by Anonymous on Friday, August 24, 2007 at 3:54 PM (EDT)

I've heard rumor that even though these guys are officially breaking up after the Fest, there is a new band in the works -one that may include the guitarist (that doesn't sing leads) from Monikers.

Posted by Anonymous on Friday, August 24, 2007 at 2:22 PM (EDT)

weasel sucks and sounds nothing like these rad dudes.

Posted by Anonymous on Friday, August 24, 2007 at 2:09 PM (EDT)

I'm not gay, I just happen to like the taste of dick in my mouth

Pete Wentz

Posted by Anonymous on Friday, August 24, 2007 at 1:20 PM (EDT)

To anyone out there who is lucky enough to go the fest this year, please go see this band for me. Those will be their last 3 shows as a band and I'm sure they will be awesome. Man I wish I could come up with $800 to make it to the fest. I think that Manual is better than this 7-inch, but this record is still quality.