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Teenage Bottlerocket

They Came from the Shadows
2009
Fat Wreck Chords

Teenage Bottlerocket - They Came from the Shadows (Cover Artwork)


Review by: DirtyVibes
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Fat Wreck Chords (Logo)

Published on September 18th 2009

Teenage Bottlerocket’s 2008 release, Warning Device, was ranked as Punknews’ 9th best record of 2008, so 2009’s They Came from the Shadows probably has some big shoes to fill, right? Right.

Well, their first album on Fat Wreck Chords is a powerful pop-punk answer to their 2008 release. With a playtime of just under 32 minutes and only two tracks running over three minutes, the album flies by but still leaves you wanting more.

Starting with “Skate or Die,” a skate anthem that feels just out of a game of Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater, kicks the album off well. The following track, “Don’t Want to Go” tells the story about a guy avoiding going somewhere out out of fear of seeing a girl that just broke his heart. “Bigger Than KISS” is an ambitious and fast-paced track where Teenage Bottlerocket call out some big names and declare, “We’re gonna go down in history as the world’s greatest rock and roll band.

One of the best tracks on the record, “Not OK” is nothing but fun and a big fuck you to a bad ex-girlfriend, continuing on the theme of a bad breakup started early on in the album. “Without You” and “Be With You” are hard and catchy, and by catchy I mean that they won’t leave your head for days. “Be with You,” arguably the best track on the album, starts and ends too quickly.

While a few tracks leave more to be desired, they’re over before you know it, as the best songs come roaring in.

Teenage Bottlerocket’s latest effort is a tremendous pop-punk record, one of the best this year so far. It’s not far off from making another appearance on Punknews’ Best-of list. The world’s greatest rock and roll band? Not yet, but maybe, if they keep it up.



People who liked this also liked:
Dear Landlord - Dream HomesGaslight Anthem - The '59 SoundAgainst Me! - As The Eternal CowboyBanner Pilot - CollapserDillinger Four - C I V I L W A ROff With Their Heads - From The BottomGaslight Anthem - Sink or SwimTeenage Bottlerocket - Warning DevicePropagandhi - Supporting CasteAmerican Steel - Dear Friends and Gentle Hearts



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    Posted by jesuswasacommunist on 2009-11-08 08:07:15
    My Score:

    I don't like how the reviewer treats TBR's declaration “We’re gonna go down in history as the world’s greatest rock and roll band" like they are being serious.

    Posted by punker001 on 2009-10-02 23:58:08
    My Score:

    Love this album, they're best for sure. Skate or Die and Bigger than Kiss are the best songs they've ever written. So much fun. ' Detroit Couldn't rock itself out of a paper bag ' my favorite lyric ever haha

    Posted by Phantom_Maggot on 2009-09-25 01:43:09

    I put on Total today and I was truly impressed by how far this band has come with their song writing, especially Ray, while still maintaining their sound. I still love Total and Warning Device, but this album just confirms how truly awesome this band is.

    Posted by paulrulzdood on 2009-09-23 09:30:14
    My Score:

    after listening to this about 10 times over the past week, i can confidently say this is my second favorite punk album of the year (first would be the new NOFX)

    Posted by scruffy on 2009-09-21 23:35:07

    This is the first album of theirs I've enjoyed, despite everyone around me being fans for years. This just feels like the first one with the variation and complexity that their amazing technical talent should be exhibiting. Congratulations, TB, you've finally won me over.

    Posted by jones181 on 2009-09-21 22:26:10
    My Score:

    still didn't reiceve my copy yet fuck you fat mike!

    Posted by 655321 on 2009-09-21 21:40:46
    My Score:

    Finally got my copy today. This is their best release so far. Its actually really nice to hear some diversity in their songs.

    Posted by telegraphrocks on 2009-09-21 16:28:50
    My Score:

    Finally listened to this at work today... pretty solid, probably my favorite thing they've done.

    Posted by paulrulzdood on 2009-09-21 12:30:25
    My Score:

    same formula as "warning device" and that is a good thing. they stuck to what they know best and made it better. tighter. catchier. more slick. everything that made "warning device" a fun record but stepped up. a fantastic followup and great FAT debut.

    Posted by ashtraymonument on 2009-09-21 02:12:38

    yeah!

    Posted by misterspike on 2009-09-20 20:36:26

    Agreed at post below. And I'm a huge KISS fan.

    "Ace Frehley / Can play guitar but he ain't no fuckin' Kerry King"

    Posted by william_david on 2009-09-20 19:14:02
    My Score:

    Agreed. Another great album. I think "Bigger Than Kiss" is my new favorite Bottlerocket song.

    Posted by ehx82 on 2009-09-20 17:11:32
    My Score:

    So so so so so so good.

    Favorite so far:
    Fatso Goes Nutzoid
    Insecure about the size of my body
    Don't want to be on top of anybody
    In second grade the kids all started to tease me
    Mom and Dad were mad that I wasn't that happy
    I will never look like you
    It doesn't matter what I do
    I see those people on TV
    They never seem to look like me
    Insecure about the size of my body
    Don't want to be on top of anybody
    I never seem to feel that pretty
    The kids say fat and they're never kidding
    I lie and say it doesn't bother me at all
    I will never look like you
    It doesn't matter what I do
    I swallow pills and I try to run
    To tell the truth its not that fun
    Insecure

    Posted by lostandclowned on 2009-09-20 15:48:16

    I think this is their best album so far.

    Posted by friokir on 2009-09-20 11:33:32

    not feeling the review, but this album is a real suprise, riffing and more than just 1-2-3-4 beats? they really branched out on this one.

    Posted by 120db on 2009-09-20 10:46:09
    My Score:

    This is a solid album.

    Posted by mattramone on 2009-09-20 09:56:32
    My Score:

    Man this is a fun LP to get drunk to.

    Posted by screeching_bottlerocket on 2009-09-20 09:47:19

    i love this record. definitely their best album to date. total was always a favorite of mine. warning device was awesome, but i felt it was missing something. this album is just perfect pop punk. definitely at least in my top 3 albums of the year.

    still waiting on my colored vinyl/ t-shirt pack that i pre-ordered, dammit!

    Posted by essenceoftong on 2009-09-20 08:57:46
    My Score:

    album of the year for me, if you dont bounce along with a big shit eating grin on your face to this there's something wrong with your ears

    todayo!

    Posted by oldpunkerforever on 2009-09-20 07:47:47
    My Score:

    its good, but certainly not 5 stars good, calm down people-oldpunker-

    Posted by ozmanx on 2009-09-20 04:53:40
    My Score:

    I've been listening to "Todayo" nonstop, probably my fave song of theirs now.

    Posted by Damo on 2009-09-20 03:44:06
    My Score:

    Great record. Think the review is too short when talking about the actual record but I suppose I should have submitted my own shunt I?

    Posted by onegirlarmy on 2009-09-20 02:45:10
    My Score:

    Give it a one through listen and don't care for it. Didn't care that much for Warning Device either.

    Total is still their best IMO and they haven't been able to top it since.

    Posted by thornsoflife on 2009-09-20 01:46:57
    My Score:

    skate or die is my favorite song of 09 so far.
    seriously.

    Posted by itsAgiftANDaCURSE on 2009-09-19 23:54:57
    My Score:

    Fucking fantastic record!!!

    Posted by misterspike on 2009-09-19 23:30:54
    My Score:

    Love this album.

    Posted by Preston on 2009-09-19 22:38:41

    Waiting for this to come in the mail.

    Posted by Chadreligion on 2009-09-19 22:19:39

    Skate or Die is OK, but really, Nerf Herder is better than this band, and I can't fucking stand them either.

    Posted by mattp330 on 2009-09-19 22:04:45

    i preordered this. i didn't think id get it on tuesday, but i kind of expected it by today (sat.) bummed

    Posted by mikexdude on 2009-09-19 21:43:49

    I'm thirding or whatever the whole "fun" thing. Fucking great record for what it is.

    Posted by deadxlast on 2009-09-19 21:13:50
    My Score:

    Another totally bitchin' record. Warning Device was my favorite by them but I might like this better.

    Posted by Brendan27 on 2009-09-19 20:25:14
    My Score:

    Easily their best album to date, they finally have their "own" sound.

    Why is Forbidden Planet not mentioned in the review??? The chorus is some serious pop in that song,

    I think what does it for me with this album is the hint of Lillingtons present throughout it.

    Posted by kylewagoner on 2009-09-19 20:07:18
    My Score:

    I'm going to have one hell of a time picking a best album of the year when the year's over. Propagandhi are tough to beat, but this one kills, and American Steel were fucking awesome...Cobra Skulls were pretty solid, and...fuck it. Anyway, "Bigger Than KISS," "Do What?", "Skate or Die," and "Fatso Goes Nutzoid" are my favorites at this point. Fuckin' great album.

    Posted by telegraphrocks on 2009-09-19 19:42:07
    My Score:

    I've gotten so many awesome albums in the last two weeks, that I haven't even had the time or desire to check this one out yet.

    Score's for eating pizza, then get laid 10 minutes later.

    Posted by jesuswasacommunist on 2009-09-19 19:39:04
    My Score:

    Fatso Goes Nutzoid was definitely inspired by Endless Vacation.

    Posted by xIxKilledxJesusx on 2009-09-19 19:27:10
    My Score:

    very good album,. IMO their best.. even though Bigger Than KISS is by far the worst song theyve ever written

    Posted by facetofacereunion08 on 2009-09-19 18:24:44

    warning device > total

    havent heard this yet but dont love skate or die

    Posted by 14theroad on 2009-09-19 18:12:59

    This record is awesome.

    Posted by JayTee on 2009-09-19 18:01:56
    My Score:

    "Detroit!..... Couldn't rock itself out of a paper baaag!"

    Posted by JerryCola on 2009-09-19 17:57:13

    I enjoy this release far more than Warning Device, solid stuff.

    Plus I'll also say that it definitely got me back into TBR after going through quite a few months of not really caring to listen any of their stuff.

    Posted by velvetbrass on 2009-09-19 17:55:12
    My Score:

    Fun record. I like these guys a lot.

    Posted by HankMurphy on 2009-09-19 17:49:12

    this stream sounds great. but im listening to partners in 818 instead.

    Posted by Bryne on 2009-09-19 17:49:07
    My Score:

    So much fun. "Without You" is ace.

    Posted by ffwoodycooks on 2009-09-19 17:39:50
    My Score:

    pretty alright

    Posted by Tom_Delonge on 2009-09-19 17:30:11

    It's a circular narrative in many ways where it kind of sums up the human race in a time capsule.