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The Fad

Kill Punk Rock Stars
2008
Bankshot!

The Fad - Kill Punk Rock Stars (Cover Artwork)

Review by: Cox_Attack
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Published on April 25th 2008

A band that has both substance and fun and pays homage to its influences while developing a sound completely of their own is hard to come by. Enter the Fad, a band that is as influenced by Gorilla Biscuits as they are Descendents and the Specials. On their latest release they have managed to do all this, and thus not only release an overall strong record, but one of the best to hit this year.

The album starts with a somewhat slow ska song with a catchy hardcore chorus. It's one of a few songs that features horns and it's hard to not want to dance to it while singing along to the chorus. We then move right in to "Vinyl Paradise" that shows the Fad at one of their strongest points. The title song, "Kill Punk Rock Stars" is one of my favorites and is a strict hardcore punk song while the next, "Leaving Cleaveland," might be the best song to be released this year. It shows the Fad crafting a song that perfectly blends pop-punk, ska and hardcore and has possibly one of my favorite choruses ever written.

Each song is really distinct while still staying true to their sound, from the awesome ska-punk of "Ska-Boom" to the hardcore sing-along anthem of "Beer 2 Minors," to the dancey "Remote Control." Each song is very memorable. The vocals and strong lyrics help a lot, too. Oh also, everyone in the band has some serious chops and the music is awesome.

Seriously, if you like punk, hardcore, ska or whatever there is definitely something on this album for you. It's one of the best releases this year. Definitely a worthy album to have in anyones collection.

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Posted by meesta3k on 2008-04-29 18:40:40

I love this album dearly. Definitely one of the best releases of the ska-punk variety in a long time. And I'm not saying that because I did the album's keyboards.

Posted by shark-e on 2008-04-28 20:17:34
My Score:

See, I just switched the album names in my iTunes so that the old version of Vinyl Paradise plays.
So far that's been a good solution.
If you don't like the tracklisting the band picked, make your own!

Posted by scientistrock on 2008-04-28 19:53:58

yo felonious jive, if anything, d4 will "rape" in 2423.

I haven't heard this yet, but Jimmy Doyle made me the mayor of the drinks when the Fad came up to Boston with BTMI! That was a fun night, but don't tell the managers of the midway cafe!

Posted by Cox_Attack on 2008-04-28 19:17:09

iruineverything, yeah this review isn't that great. I'll agree with you. I kind of wrote it in a rush. My bad. I also do like the old version of Vinyl Paradise more. Still, it doesn't detract from the album that much.

Posted by Matthew330 on 2008-04-28 15:45:40
My Score:

Not digging this as much as the rest of you guys, I guess.

As someone mentioned before, the versions of Vinyl Paradise, etc are not as good as the ones previously released.

I was disappointed.

Posted by feloniousjive on 2008-04-28 15:42:48

I like that albums no longer "drop", they "hit". Whats next? My prediction for the future:

"The new Dillinger Four record will rape on August 3, 2008."

Posted by shark-e on 2008-04-28 14:23:19

No mention of Oil Spills? Come on!

Posted by blip on 2008-04-28 13:39:40

i thought the review did it justice.

at least it made me want to check this out.

Posted by Big_Guy on 2008-04-27 22:03:32

this is one of the best punk or ska releases in a long time

Posted by iruineverything on 2008-04-27 19:49:34

Great CD buttttt.....

1. This review is awful. Seriously one of the worst I've read on this site. Does no justice to this album.

2. The Fad put out a 3 song demo that had 'Vinyl Paradise', 'Bright Lights and Texaco Stations', and 'You're Only as Good as Your Drummer'. If you heard that original recording of Vinyl Paradise, you'd wipe your ass with the version on this CD.

Posted by Rastid on 2008-04-27 18:26:14
My Score:

album freaking shreds like a motherfucker. not a single bad song on it.

Posted by facetofacereunion08 on 2008-04-27 17:15:34

great disk

Posted by Cox_Attack on 2008-04-27 14:08:36
My Score:

Yeah Allon it's me. I know I couldn't believe this album had no review and I was hung over and bored so I wrote one up. The Fad more than deserve a good punknews review. Seriously great band.

Posted by blip on 2008-04-27 13:42:19
My Score:

sounds good. whenuponst i get a job, i will invest.

Posted by Xine on 2008-04-27 13:20:19
My Score:

This'll probably be my top album of 2008.

Got it from them at a show back in October and I still listen to it regularly. SO GOOD. Every song is great.

Posted by telegraphrocks on 2008-04-27 11:20:43
My Score:

Disregard my "what's 'b2m'?" question... it clearly says in the review "beer 2 minors".

Also, yes, "Leaving Cleveland" definitely IS one of the best songs this year.

Posted by telegraphrocks on 2008-04-27 11:18:49
My Score:

This album is soooooooooo fucking awesome! I think seeing them live would be a treat, so they should get the fuck in their van and come to (or close to) Chicago.

This will definitely be in my "Top of 2008" list, even though it leaked in 2007.

Oh, and what the fuck is "b2m"? Ala- "b2m, let's fuck shit up!".

UNRELATED: I'm getting sick of Chicago. How's Florida?

Posted by skaboom on 2008-04-27 11:03:39
My Score:

Ska-boom!

Posted by pricey123 on 2008-04-27 05:19:32

sounds cool, will check it out

Posted by allon on 2008-04-27 01:00:07
My Score:

ryan? is that you? 'bout time someone reviewed this haha

Posted by inagreendase on 2008-04-27 00:54:43
My Score:

Too inconsistent for me. "Vinyl Paradise" and "Ska-Boom!" are rad and the title track rips, but that's about it.