Teenage Bottlerocket

Teenage Bottlerocket: They Came from the ShadowsThey Came from the Shadows (2009)
Fat Wreck Chords

Reviewer Rating: 4

User Rating:

Contributed by: DirtyVibesDirtyVibes
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Published on September 18th 2009Teenage 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 pla.

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.

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Fine Print: The following comments are owned by whoever posted them. We are not respon sible for them in any way. Seriously.

jake83 (May 16, 2012)

Is it possible to get tired of this album? Yes, and there are a few fillers, but overall a decent fun record.

Dycelot (October 11, 2011)

one of my favorite bands lately. so much fun.

BillyMcChili (April 4, 2011)

Greatest album of the decade

devianter (November 10, 2010)

another powerchord band. kinda funny, though.

ecafkciD (July 27, 2010)

'Todayo' has to be one of the greatest songs I've ever heard. TBR never fails to impress. Be stag!

jesuswasacommunist (November 8, 2009)

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.

punker001 (October 2, 2009)

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

Phantom_Maggot (September 25, 2009)

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.

paulrulzdood (September 23, 2009)

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)

scruffy (September 21, 2009)

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.

jones181 (September 21, 2009)

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

655321 (September 21, 2009)

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

telegraphrocks (September 21, 2009)

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

paulrulzdood (September 21, 2009)

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.

ashtraymonument (September 21, 2009)

yeah!

misterspike (September 20, 2009)

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

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

william_david (September 20, 2009)

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

ehx82 (September 20, 2009)

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

lostandclowned (September 20, 2009)

I think this is their best album so far.

friokir (September 20, 2009)

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.

120db (September 20, 2009)

This is a solid album.

mattramone (September 20, 2009)

Man this is a fun LP to get drunk to.

screeching_bottlerocket (September 20, 2009)

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!

essenceoftong (September 20, 2009)

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!

oldpunkerforever (September 20, 2009)

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

ozmanx (September 20, 2009)

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

Damo (September 20, 2009)

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?

onegirlarmy (September 20, 2009)

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.

thornsoflife (September 20, 2009)

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

itsAgiftANDaCURSE (September 19, 2009)

Fucking fantastic record!!!

misterspike (September 19, 2009)

Love this album.

Preston (September 19, 2009)

Waiting for this to come in the mail.

Chadreligion (September 19, 2009)

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

mattp330 (September 19, 2009)

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

mikexdude (September 19, 2009)

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

deadxlast (September 19, 2009)

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

Brendan27 (September 19, 2009)

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.

kylewagoner (September 19, 2009)

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.

telegraphrocks (September 19, 2009)

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.

jesuswasacommunist (September 19, 2009)

Fatso Goes Nutzoid was definitely inspired by Endless Vacation.

xIxKilledxJesusx (September 19, 2009)

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

facetofacereunion08 (September 19, 2009)

warning device > total

havent heard this yet but dont love skate or die

14theroad (September 19, 2009)

This record is awesome.

JayTee (September 19, 2009)

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

JerryCola (September 19, 2009)

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.

velvetbrass (September 19, 2009)

Fun record. I like these guys a lot.

HankMurphy (September 19, 2009)

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

Bryne (September 19, 2009)

So much fun. "Without You" is ace.

ffwoodycooks (September 19, 2009)

pretty alright

Tom_Delonge (September 19, 2009)

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