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Beltones

Cheap Trinkets (2001)
TKO Records

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Contributed by: Jack
(others by this writer | submit your own)

Published on February 26th 2002

I've heard a great deal of complaint regarding lack of variety in today's punk rock. These complaints usually pertain to "street" punk, "77" punk, or what have you. Indeed this subgenre apparently requires certain formulae (roaring guitars with catchy riffs, oi like chants, etc). Many bands subscribe to rules of composition and content, and as a result, their songs are hardly distinguishable. The Beltones are not one of these bands. The follow-up to their "On Deaf Ears" EP, "Cheap Trinkets" could not have come too soon. The Beltones are apart from the rest for a couple of reasons. The first is the smooth esoplasy of varying musical styles; the Beltones possess a wide variety of influences-from rockabilly to the Pogues-and the convergance of such varying styles while maintaining a strong punk feel is no easy task. But the Beltones do it really well, and such talent recalls the brillaince of a band like the Swingin' Utters. Another reason this band stands apart from the rest is the emotional depth of the songs. I'm not going to make absurd comparisons by calling the lyrics Dickinsonian or whatever, but singer Bill McFadden is a pretty adept song writer. His lyrics of alienation, pain, lost hope are a refreshing substitute to the "beer guzzling because my girl left me so I'm gonna go to the pub and get in a fight with my bros backing me up" b.s. that is so prevalent in punk today. Highlights of the album include "Ain't No Life", "Better Than a Kick in the Head", "Mr. Wrecking Ball", and "Garbage Picker". Go buy this album. Now.

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Anonymous (February 21, 2006)

The best thing that ever came out of Texas.

Anonymous (March 25, 2004)

great

devildog1507 (January 29, 2004)

Very very amazing band that hasnt got the publicity they would deserve

Anonymous (January 16, 2004)

Just bought it after reading the comments and I can truly say, that this is great stuff.

Anonymous (January 15, 2004)

this is fucking unbelievable great, also check out their first album "On deaf ears"

devildog1507 (November 13, 2003)

this shit is genius...they are underrated...why heaven knows

Analog_Boy (August 4, 2003)

The Beltones fucking rule. They are far too underrated. I have 'on deaf ears' . Its a sick alblum also. My favourite song on it is 'let the bombs fall' . Ok, check it out.

Anonymous (February 17, 2003)

i just got this album today from my radio station and it fucking rocks... i think they are awesome...

eric2guns (May 18, 2002)

If you haven't experienced the Beltones yet then you need to check out this album. It is considered Oi I guess, butI don't put it in the same ball park. Oi is mostly about violence and aggression, while Beltones are about the feelings that come with violence and aggression. Bill McFadden is an amazing lyricists. His lyrics are deep and meaningful and he has the most original singing voice of new punks. He sings with a hazy growl that is saturated in passion. The music rocks too. At first listen, some of the songs sound too similiar. This is one of those albums that you need to sit down with and dissect with your ears. Upon doing so,you will find that each song really is a unique composition. The beats come fast, the guitars are layered, and the vocals are powerful, yet quiet and buried in the mix. If you like hardcore punk or if you like emo, or if you like poppy punk, you will be able to find something amazing about this album. The best song is "Better than a kick in the head", a tune comparing a relationship to the hard punk lifestyle. Buy this album or their first Ep (On Deaf Ears) you will not regret it.