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On the opening night of the 6th edition of The Fest back in October, there was a lot of talk and excitement surrounding the O Pioneers!!! / Bomb the Music Industry! show. The buzz didn’t disappear at the door. Once the show got underway it was clear that both bands had won themselves a considerable number of fans over the last year as a quick glance around the room showed nearly everyone singing along and having a grand old time. What’s remarkable is that both bands have been able to accomplish so much in a relatively short period of time and have done so largely on their own while being accessible and consistent in both touring and recording. It was no surprise then to see both bands teaming up for a split EP. It’s also no surprise that both parties came out with some great songs, making for an excellent release.

Bomb the Music Industry!’s contribution is a collection of political jams recorded prior to the Get Warmer sessions. The songs may not be lyrically upbeat, but only BTMI! can rally against American foreign policy in such a dance-ready fashion. Sing-along opportunities are plentiful, especially on opener "Save the War" and the ska-heavy "I’m Terrorfied." The band also covers Regina Spektor’s "Ghost of a Corporate Future." While it lacks the lyrical punch of the BTMI! originals, it’s interesting to hear their interpretation of it. Despite it being the weakest of the BTMI! songs, the three originals they present more than make up for it. BTMI! is one of the most exciting bands in punk rock today. While Get Warmer may be their masterpiece so far, you should be sure to not skip over this mini-collection of songs.

I was a little hard on O Pioneers!!! and their contribution to their split 7-inch with By the End of Tonight. They more than make up for it this time around. Vocalist/guitarist Eric Solomon has a ton of passion behind that scruffy voice and he gives himself the opportunity to let it all out on their four songs. The band’s first is "Punknews Is Stoked," which takes aim at some of the witty banter featured in the comments section of these very pages. OP’s songs aren’t as politically driven as BTMI!’s, at least in the traditional sense. Rather, they take aim at personal politics and people who hurt their relationships by making poor decisions. Despite having no bass player, they still found like a full band, albeit one that is comfortable in leaving things rough around the edges. That’s part of the band’s charm, though. The third track, "You Know That Part in Superman 3...," is as good as anything else the band’s written and the best on this album, with plenty of opportunities to shout along. "Bad Scene, Aaron’s Fault" is another standout song with the band allowing more melody to come through than we are used to hearing. Bomb the Music Industry! Is a tough act to follow, but O Pioneers!!! have no problem creating just as strong a side of their own.

There’s a reason these two bands have become as popular as they have, at least as far as independent punk bands go. This release is a must have for fans of either band’s work and serves as a great introduction to those unfamiliar with them.



People who liked this also liked:
Descendents - Milo Goes To CollegeBomb the Music Industry! - Goodbye Cool World!Alkaline Trio - GoddamnitThe Lawrence Arms - Oh! Calcutta!Against Me! - As The Eternal CowboyBomb the Music Industry! - Get WarmerThe Clash - London CallingJawbreaker - 24 Hour Revenge TherapyNOFX - Punk In DrublicOperation Ivy - Operation Ivy [reissue]



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    Posted by diy_or_fucking_die on 2008-01-31 17:57:40

    goodbye cool world is my favorite bomb the music industry! cd, but this split definately impressed me. i'm glad jeff decided to rerecord this is a singalong for the split. o pioneers! are a fucking great band. all of their songs on this cd are amazing.

    Posted by Jesus_H_Christ on 2008-01-28 13:17:16
    My Score:

    Regina Spektor is punk as fuck.

    Posted by cherrycolarain on 2008-01-27 13:58:19
    My Score:

    I love Get Warmer, specially the title-track. That song is truly genius.

    Posted by skamanifesto on 2008-01-26 21:44:00

    and p.s. - people tend to bitch about Party Foul as a closer to Get Warmer, but I really love it. I think it concludes the album quite well.

    Posted by skamanifesto on 2008-01-26 21:41:52

    i really have a hard time picking a favorite album by BTMI. i really think i listen to them all equally. And i have to say that the best tracks of Get Warmer are in fact 'Never Trust A Man...' and 'Get Warmer'

    Posted by KlashedKi on 2008-01-26 14:38:55
    My Score:

    O Pioneers!!! seriously don't get enough credit even on this site and need to start playing some California dates, specifically Fresno. They fucking rock and got me to start reading O Pioneers!

    Also the Regina cover has the most badass (and probably only) noise to ska breakdown I HAVE EVER HEARD. Quite frankly it is probably one of the best covers I have ever heard and Terrorfied sounds like Cool World material which is an auto A.

    Also your all wrong, the best tracks on Get Warmer are Depression is No Fun and Unlimited Breadsticks.

    Posted by names on 2008-01-26 14:26:17

    compeletely agree with the person below me (and the person three people below me). I love Album Minus Band and To Leave or Die In Long Island (and, to a point, Goodbye Cool World is enjoyable, too). But To Leave is probably his best. As already stated, it had more variety, more passion. It was more light-hearted and happy; it was how music should be.

    You'll probably write me off cause you're thinking I'm one of those guys that hate newer shit from bands, but thats not the case.

    Oh, and nuances don't make a record. And anyone to insecure and naive to believe that little 'nuances' make a record...well I'll leave it at that (this is in no way an attack or insult on away, just a strong-willed opinion).

    Posted by tylerdurden8136 on 2008-01-26 13:45:18

    If you're a casual fan of BTMI, you'd probably think that Get Warmer is better, but once you really get into them, you see that TLODILI is one of the best ska cd's in recent memory, just for its brevity.

    Agreed 100%. Sure, Get Warmer has two of the best songs Jeff's ever written (Bike Test 1 2 3, I Don't Love You Anymore) but half of the remaining songs just lack the heart and crazyness of the first three BTMI! albums. If anything, I think what Jeff was trying to do with Get Warmer he had already done with Goodbye Cool World, and he did it a hell of a lot better then.

    Posted by volcanoloserkid on 2008-01-26 09:22:24
    My Score:

    Regina Spektor is dope. So is Jeff Rosenstock. End of discussion.

    Posted by TeaEssAre on 2008-01-26 00:03:06

    Their masterpiece was to Leave Or Die In Long Island

    It's short, all of the songs are good, and has a variety of different types of songs, yet it created their "sound." If you're a casual fan of BTMI, you'd probably think that Get Warmer is better, but once you really get into them, you see that TLODILI is one of the best ska cd's in recent memory, just for its brevity. With Get Warmer, he was trying to put out THE best. TLODLI (sorry for the acronym) just came so naturally.

    Posted by brown on 2008-01-25 21:58:03

    Punch is not the same as quality.

    I dunno man, maybe it's 'cause the original is one of my favourite songs, or maybe because i don't think it's possible to really encapsulate the kind of quirkyness attributed to a Spektor song in a cover. But I always found the lyrics to that song to be particularly moving.

    Or maybe I'm just missing the point. I'm tired but that song still rules.

    Posted by baseball on 2008-01-25 21:57:57
    My Score:

    really good split

    BTMI's side is great and O Pioneers!! is by far the best i've heard from them

    Posted by maverick on 2008-01-25 20:09:14

    Get Warmer truly is Jeff's best work thus far -- just listen to it on headphones. You'll hear so many nuances buried deep within the songs that you never even knew were there.

    I'm still kicking myself for leaving it off of my Best of '07 list.

    -Scott

    Posted by KingKRool on 2008-01-25 19:25:20

    Bomb the Music Industry's Regina Spektor cover is what got me into them and my favorite of the bunch.

    Posted by ffwoodycock on 2008-01-25 19:24:59
    My Score:

    yes, Get Warmer is their masterpiece.

    also, i believe there's going to be a repress of the split

    Posted by tylerdurden8136 on 2008-01-25 18:36:05

    While Get Warmer may be their masterpiece so far...

    You're kidding, right? Get Warmer is the most forgettable album Jeff has ever put out.

    Posted by skamanifesto on 2008-01-25 17:35:07

    I've been looking all over for this on vinyl and it seems like its totally sold out. shame.

    Posted by telegraphrocks on 2008-01-25 16:38:28
    My Score:

    Score's for both front and back artwork.

    Cut the score in half, and that's for the bands.

    Posted by WreckThePlaceFantastic on 2008-01-25 16:25:35
    My Score:

    The Bomb the Music Industry! side of this is awesome. Save The War is in my top 5 favorite songs by them. O Pioneers!!!, while not one of my favorites, put out decent songs for this record.

    Score is for over all, maybe higher if I was more of a O Pioneers!!! fan

    Posted by ben_conoley on 2008-01-25 14:53:40

    ghost of corporate future lacks lyrical punch?

    You're crazy.

    Punch is not the same as quality.

    Posted by Dante3000 on 2008-01-25 14:22:55

    Ben you Canadian son of a moose it's a 10". I don't know what that literally translates to in meters but I believe it's casually referred to as 1 "Dante Penis" in metrics (you should know that).

    The show at the fest was great. This split? Eh, a little so so. I was expecting more Against Me! covers from O' Pioneers!!! and more Reel Big Fish from BTMI!.
    -Dante

    Posted by maverick on 2008-01-25 14:22:43

    "I'm Terrorfied!!!" is such a fantastic fucking song. I wish I were talented enough to write that.

    -Scott

    Posted by MattRamone on 2008-01-25 14:02:28

    I was hoping for some better lyrics on "Punknews is Stoked." Maybe a chorus of "Shut up, Dante" or a metered version of Colin's rants about Scott. And would it really have so difficult to get Tom Gabel to sing "I hate Jews" as background vocals?

    Posted by Holy_Balls on 2008-01-25 14:02:24

    I've seen many flyers with O Pioneeers!!! name on it back in the day at local shows, yet I never seen them live. Or heard a single song by them.

    Posted by brown on 2008-01-25 13:37:27

    ghost of corporate future lacks lyrical punch?

    You're crazy.

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