The Thumbs were a punk band that lasted from 1995-2002, releasing records on various labels ranging from Soda Jerk to Adeline. Two of those guys are now in SickSickBirds, whose Chemical Train 7" EP is a cool four-song slab of upbeat pop-indie-punk, with male/female vocals, medium-paced tempos and some more thought-out guitar riffs than standard pop-punk usually allows for. Think halfway between the Pixies and Pink Razors and you've got a rough idea of what's going on here.

Like most 7"s consisting of four songs, SickSickBirds' best moments come at the very beginning and end. In "(Revolt with) Perfect Spelling," some jumpy, angular riffs introduce the whole record, and soon make way for a bouncy, shifting number. With closer "Gag Order," it's hard to resist at least mouthing along with the endearing refrain of "gag orders for everyone!," while the band gets a little more aggressive to finish things up.

Chemical Trains is far from remarkable, but it's definitely a solid little release that finds the band continuing to build upon their sound from last year's split with Vena Cava.

The Connects

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A Bullet Goes a Mile