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The Bronx

The Bronx (2008)
2008
White Drugs

The Bronx - The Bronx (2008) (Cover Artwork)

Review by: the_other_scott
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Published on December 2nd 2008

It's difficult to categorize a band like the Bronx. They’ve got the throat-curling screams, bombastic rhythm section and chugging guitars of a hardcore band, but it isn’t that simple. Hardcore bands can’t write songs like this. Matt Caughthran’s scream is as melodic as it is assaulting. The rhythm section of drummer Jorma Vik and bassist Brad Magers proves that a straight line isn’t always the best way to get from point A to point B. And finally, the chops of guitarists Joby Ford and Ken Horne show up more in their songwriting then in solos or breakdowns.

But what can be said about the Bronx that hasn’t been said before? The L.A.-based band has consistently lived up to expectations and managed to put together a unique sound that has allowed them to tour with bands as diverse as yhe Hives, Lifetime, Thursday, Circle Jerks, Mastadon and the Riverboat Gamblers while fitting in, no matter what the bill is.

Armed with a new bass player (Brad Magers) and a second guitarist (Ken Horne), the Bronx continue a logical progression of albums past with swelling, groove-filled garage punk on The Bronx (III). Only this time, they’ve been listening to Appetite for Destruction. Think Black Flag meets Agent Orange meets Refused meets Hot Snakes meets Queens of the Stone Age meets Guns N' Roses. Yeah, I hate reviews that describe music that way, too.

On opener “Knifeman,” Caughthran screams (bellows? sings?) “We used to be gifted and persistent / but now we’re bored, reminiscent / we used to laugh at our misery, spoon-fed our desire / We’ve lost our fire.” I don’t believe it. What follows is an album both as melodic (“Spanish Transit,” “Past Lives”) and passionate (“Ship High in Transit,” “Young Blood”) as anything they’ve done in the past. But when Caughthran screams on the last track “Digital Leash,” “Change anything and I’ll fucking walk!”, I kind of do believe it. You can tell they had to dig deep to make an album this great. It makes you wonder why every band can’t put this much effort, passion and rock and roll into their music.

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Posted by hayman on 2009-02-10 23:19:32
My Score:

This is one kickass album.

Posted by givemeamuseumandillfillit on 2008-12-05 10:30:23

I'm not really a fan of this record except from the odd song or three, but that's how all their full lengths has been for me.

However, this is on white drugs? Fuuuucckkk are they going to make bank or what?

Posted by lookingforcorpses on 2008-12-03 23:18:07

OTLevel- I agree with that, but don't think the Dropkicks are a good example of that. Pennywise or Bad Religion, yes.
Great record.

Posted by HOISTDATRAG on 2008-12-03 21:06:49
My Score:

only one problem, but it really bothers me:
(II) experimented with so many rhythms and was a real departure from their first album and EP, but (III) just kind of reuses the same three rhythms that made the second album so much different, without much experimentation. With that said, the guitar work is great. and to me i'm right.

Posted by nocigar on 2008-12-03 17:59:58
My Score:

It's good. I really don't see the greatness of it that everyone is drooling over, but I haven't listened to it a lot. Listened to "Pleasure Seeker" the most and even though it's a good song, I really don't understand all the rant. Oh well, I'll keep trying.

Posted by epoch on 2008-12-03 16:19:20

Just like every album, this one gets better the more you listen to it. Hell, I still listen to I and II and enjoy them more each time.

That said, I is still the best record.

Posted by polaris on 2008-12-03 08:10:28

It's pretty good but it's no Bronx I.

Posted by binaural111 on 2008-12-03 01:39:48
My Score:

LOVE it

Posted by ChadReligion on 2008-12-03 00:45:40

nterested. Knifeman is a great song live. Loved the last two records and will this come out on vinyl?

Posted by otlevel7 on 2008-12-03 00:40:33

typo. aw fuck it.

Posted by otlevel7 on 2008-12-03 00:39:37
My Score:

i love this band more and more with every release. i don't remember how i got into these guys but i've been hooked ever since Bronx I. one of the aspects of this band i like so much is they are not going to surprise me with each album...something that can't be said about a lot of bands that appear on this site. if you want to hear the same album made over and over again go listen to the Dropkick Murphys.

it may be the new-ness of it but Bronx III is my favorite album so far. wonderfully crafted cd, from word one.

highly recommended...and for those of you who haven't heard I or II (or haven't given them a spin in a while) give them a[nother] try.

Posted by DarthNader on 2008-12-02 23:32:18

for me
I>II>III
so far.
I think II was underrated. Shitty Future, Three Dead Sisters and White Guilt were all better than any particular song on III, even though III holds up a bit better as a whole.
I is fuckin killer though.

Posted by StormShadow on 2008-12-02 21:49:20
My Score:

I never heard (I) and couldn't really get into (II), but I'm absolutely loving (III). So much intensity, such great riffs, the drumming is awesome, there's TONS to love about this album.

Posted by mikexdude on 2008-12-02 21:40:30
My Score:

Yeah, I'm thinking this is going to grow on me.

Score is for the review.

Posted by Cos on 2008-12-02 21:08:45

Good riff rock, not nearly as weird as the last one, but still a lot of fun. I like the album and still love the band, but something in me thinks that they can write these songs in their sleep. This is their "settling in to our sound" record.

Posted by crackpotdemagogue on 2008-12-02 20:10:06

fuck this band, fuck this review and fuck off etc.

only joking. good review of an ok band. i've never been too down with the bronx, but i have always kept an open mind with regards their material as they are associates of the explosion and the tarantulas brand. not heard any of this release yet, although i shall endevour to give it a listen if i get the chance.

Posted by chrisafi on 2008-12-02 19:48:10

Jury is still completely out on this one for me, currently I'm thinking it's their worst record of the three, but only just, but I don't know, I can feel it growing.....

Posted by twstdbydsn on 2008-12-02 19:22:18

I think this album is fantastic, so no complaints from me.

RE: this review has been posted for like six hours and not a single negative comment about the band, album, or review. can everybody else read this or is it just showing up on my computer?

Posted by DarthNader on 2008-12-02 18:42:54

im truly dissapointed by this.

sorry scott

Posted by the_other_scott on 2008-12-02 18:23:45

this review has been posted for like six hours and not a single negative comment about the band, album, or review. can everybody else read this or is it just showing up on my computer?

Posted by gritty on 2008-12-02 15:48:09

Well I dug Bats, and the first Bronx LP. Wasn't too impressed with II, but Bronx meets GNR? You have me interested. Appetite for Destruction is bar none the greatest hard rock n roll record put to tape, so I will buy this record on the way home and hope I hear what you do. Is this bad boy produced by Gilby?

Posted by wentz_equals_death on 2008-12-02 14:59:15
My Score:

yes, pleasure seekers is one of my favorite songs ever

Posted by branden on 2008-12-02 14:15:52

my number one album of the year. i was disappointed with it initially; then i got "pleasure seekers" stuck in my head and the whole rest of the album just clicked. don't care much for "spanish handshake" or "ship high in transit" but 9 killer songs and two good ones does it for me. still like I the best, but this and II are about equal in my book.

Posted by ddb43 on 2008-12-02 14:01:28

Great album! On my top ten ROTY list for sure. Knifeman is sick!

Posted by homemadebullshit on 2008-12-02 13:22:40

I really like this cd, it is one of my favorites of the year.

Posted by twstdbydsn on 2008-12-02 13:16:27

RE: Now, I just wish they would put some of that effort and passion into naming their albums.

Oh well, these guys are good.

I could care less what they name the album, the music is the reason to buy it in the first place.
Can't wait for The Bronx IV, V, VI, VII, VIII, VIIII, and X.

Posted by theonetruebill on 2008-12-02 13:04:53
My Score:

I have a feeling that with time this is going to be my favorite Bronx album. It has the energy of the first one and the songwriting chops of the second. Woah.

Posted by nocigar on 2008-12-02 13:02:21
My Score:

It makes you wonder why every band can’t put this much effort, passion and rock and roll into their music.

Now, I just wish they would put some of that effort and passion into naming their albums.

Oh well, these guys are good.

Posted by the_other_scott on 2008-12-02 12:28:01

yes, definitley a huge RFTC influence as always. I also hear a lot of QOTSA when I listen to them.

Posted by inagreendase on 2008-12-02 11:47:34
My Score:

Something holds me back from giving any of their albums the full 4 stars. I can't really tell what. But I've always liked them and this is no exception.

The opening riff in "Knifeman" sounds suspiciously like the one from Rocket from the Crypt's "Bring Us Bullets." Probably not a coincidence.

Also, this is probably just a bizarre coincidence itself, but it's sort of odd they have songs named "Young Blood" and "Past Lives" on the same album. At this time.

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