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True Stories has been recently re-released by Rebel Alliance Recordings, so here's my review before the hype gets going.

Considering that this band used to be high flying globe-trotters in their Hellcat days, this CD demonstrates the fact that none of it has gone to their heads, but that they've learned a helluva lot along the way. This album is a brilliant, considerate, chilled-out narrative of day-to-day city life. It's way more consistent than their last album (from 2001!) with every song as memorable as the first. Live, this band play with the raw vivacity of a bunch of teens, but their music has so much more than that.

On the whole it's a dark, heavy, grimey piece of work but with joyful, summery inclinations (if that makes sense?), probably because every song is underlined with ska strokes. Whether it's the dirty grime intro track, the haunting guitars and "whoa"s of "N68," the jolly dub-infused "No Fear," the poppy sing-along of "That Girl" or the spooky techno-type feel of "Everyday Feeling," there's probably something here for you.

This is an awful review 'cos this CD is hard to categorize. Imagine if Sonic Boom Six had been playing loads of "Guitar Hero 3" and then covered some new King Blues tracks and Leila was off sick -- you might be close, at least?



People who liked this also liked:
88 Fingers Louie - Back On The StreetsLagwagon - TrashedStrung Out - Twisted by DesignMinor Threat - Complete DiscographyThe Clash - London CallingAFI - The Art Of DrowningThe Mighty Mighty Bosstones - Question the AnswersOperation Ivy - Operation IvyStrung Out - An American ParadoxRancid - Life Won't Wait



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    Posted by crackpotdemagogue on 2009-06-02 06:53:40

    i love mouthwash... awesome band. as for the review: have some more confidence in yourself and your writing, man!

    Posted by TahoeJeff on 2009-06-02 05:24:26

    I remember listening to this band's first CD on hellcat when it first came out. I couldn't get into it and subsequently forgot about this band. Last month, I saw them open for Sonic Boom 6, Mike Park and Classics of Love. I was surprised. 1. I was surprised that they were still around and 2. They were actually really enjoyable. A lot better than I remember.

    Posted by mikexdude on 2009-06-02 00:21:37

    "'cos"? Really?