Cobra Skulls

Cobra Skulls: Bringing the War HomeBringing the War Home (2011)
Fat Wreck Chords

Reviewer Rating: 4

User Rating:

Contributed by: DarrenMcLeodDarrenMcLeod
(others by this writer | submit your own)
Published on February 4th 2011After the ease with which Teenage Bottlerocket transitioned from Red Scare Industries to Fat Wreck Chords, there was little doubt in my mind that Cobra Skulls would have any trouble with the same label change. Bringing the War Home is the band's first release on Fat, and it's a concise five-song col.

After the ease with which Teenage Bottlerocket transitioned from Red Scare Industries to Fat Wreck Chords, there was little doubt in my mind that Cobra Skulls would have any trouble with the same label change. Bringing the War Home is the band's first release on Fat, and it's a concise five-song collection that flies by thanks to an upbeat tempo that rarely lets up.

The tempo of the EP is what sets it apart from the band's previous release, American Rubicon. Rubicon was a departure from the band's earlier work in that it slowed the tempos of Draw Muhammad and Sitting Army and experimented with the band's folk and rockabilly influences. While those influences are still present on Bringing the War Home, the slower tempos are not here as the band rarely takes its foot off the gas pedal. While that might get tedious over the course of a full-length, it suits this EP just fine.

One of the EP's early highlights is "ICE in the Night", an extremely catchy tune that laments the practices of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Meanwhile, closer "Life in Vain" stands out because while the other tracks are angry political tracks, the song is a heartfelt number with some huge hooks. But the showstopper on the disc has to be "Hot Sand", a passionate track full of tempo changes and sharp lyrics which provide the EP with its title: "So comfortable. Can't see a star-spangled coffin on TV, so parents won't care who's got the remote control to airborne drones. Kind of makes me feel like bringing the war home."

The EP is not without its weaknesses. Their cover of Bad Religion's "Give You Nothing", while a solid track, is a bit too straightforward for the Cobra Skulls' m.o. A friend provided an apt description, stating that it sounded "like something that would fit right in on a mid-'90s Punk-o-Rama compilation." And while the friend meant that as a compliment, to me it illustrates how the song feels slightly out of place on the EP.

Regardless, Bringing the War Home is another excellent addition to the Cobra Skulls' rock-solid discography, and is hopefully indicative of what their next full-length holds in store for the band.

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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.

LobsterCraw (December 8, 2011)

I love this album. Definitely as awesome as any of their previous releases, imo.

blood-guts-punkrock (August 14, 2011)

Nothing has beaten 'Sitting Army' just yet, waiting for the new release this year and we will see

Heathbar (February 7, 2011)

shned, it was too big for a 7" and 10" vinyl is more expensive than 12".

shned (February 7, 2011)

Why is it a one-sided 12 inch?

Heathbar (February 7, 2011)

This has already become one of my favorite EPs of all time alongside Dead to Me's "Little Brother" and Good Riddance's "The Phenomenon of Craving." Thanks, guys. Can't wait for the full length.

hayman (February 6, 2011)

Brilliant.

thebinks (February 6, 2011)

Ordered it on vinyl, this review gives me faith in my purchase. I think this band is evolving lyrically and musically, in a way that makes me incredibly excited for a Fat Wreck full length from these guys. I'm just bummed none of these songs made the setlist when I saw em in October, i imagine they're fun live.

Big_Guy (February 5, 2011)

how does this band get signed to Fat before The Menzingers?

jacknife737 (February 5, 2011)

Great EP: Life in Vain has become my favorite song from this band.

TheDancingMachine (February 5, 2011)

I used to like them when they put "cobra" in the titles. This is probably my favorite release by them though.

crackpotdemagogue (February 5, 2011)

Love the cover art. God Bless America!

MN_DrNick (February 5, 2011)

Good EP.

evildeadalive (February 4, 2011)

agree with everyone else it appears.. Life in Vain = best song, I Give You Nothing = most unnecassary

77punker (February 4, 2011)

Great EP...can't wait for the full length.....BR cover is a bit lame, but "Life in Vain" is a kick-ass party tune!!

kylewagoner (February 4, 2011)

I agree that the Bad Religion cover doesn't fit the EP. I love the whole EP anyway, though. So stoked to play with them on Sunday!

Banger (February 4, 2011)

Very good EP. No one has mentioned it yet, but I really like "Doomsday Parade," especially the horns at the end.

I'm looking forward to their next album.

fattony (February 4, 2011)

Loving this! Can't wait for the full-length.

misterspike (February 4, 2011)

Picked this up at their show with NOFX and the Souls last week. My car CD player thinks it's
gonna stay for awhile.

RedScare (February 4, 2011)

"Life In Vain" and "ICE in the Night" are my 2 faves as well. High five, Darren.

levi-dolphin (February 4, 2011)

Great EP!!! the only song that is "meh" is the BR cover. If it would have been a secret/hidden song (which no one does anymore) it would have been better.

these songs could be their best yet, but i cant say that for sure cause i love 95% of all their songs!!!

GO COBRA'S!!! and bring a little more spanish with the next one

miguel (February 4, 2011)

Anyone else notice a difference in Devin's voice? Sounds kinda scratchy and nasally instead of low(er) and clear. Doesn't sit well with me.

But the songs are all great. Life in Vain, that's the beeeeeeest.

paulrulzdood (February 4, 2011)

lol anarchypants beat me to it. i look forward to getting this ep.

Paul

tsiege (February 4, 2011)

The art work for this album is hands down some of the worst ive seen. i rather confuse Icons with the goosebumps then look at the abortive photoshopped piece of shit this album cover is.

DarrenMcLeod (February 4, 2011)

anarchypants -- I feel like such a fool for not realizing that.

anarchypants (February 4, 2011)

Yes the Bad Religion version was on Punk O Rama 2.

StraightToHell82 (February 4, 2011)

If this is any sign of what their upcoming full-length is going to be like, then I think we're all in for one great fucking treat! Possibly the real album of the year!

This thing is so fucking great.

[Technically, I give this a 10/10 score, but I don't want it on my profile's "favorite records" list, as it's just an EP].

timorous_me (February 4, 2011)

Not my favorite Cobra Skulls release, but still very good. "Life in Vain" is my favorite track. It reminds me of a Green Day song, but I can't figure out which one.