Here’s To Feeling Good by Freshman 15 (Standby Records)

Based out of Atlanta, GA, Freshman 15 have endured lineup changes as well as participated in countless cross countries tours supporting their 2009 release Throw Up Your Hands For One Night Stands.  Now in 2012, the band returns with an all out vengeance, presenting a second collection of infectious tunes entitled Here’s To Feeling Good.  With many of the lyrics dealing with heartbreak combined with a musical sense of exhilaration and triumph, Freshman 15 is sure to connect with fans of all ages.

“Here it is, the sophomore attempt by us. Will this fail or be a success for us?” conveys lead vocalist Davey Fortner with a sense of urgency on the opening cut Secret Of The Oohs// Wizard Of Ahhs. The confessional continues: “Are you sure you’re ready for this? I’ll never be anything but honest with you.”

Mistake Ex-Girlfriend then explodes right into your face, an instant pop punk classic that would certainly serve as the perfect sonic antidote while pondering a hook up with that past ex-relationship.

“Everyone is searching for happiness anyway,” is the rallying call for Drink To That, another memorable track about triumphing over that meaningful liason gone wrong. Anywhere But Here is the Freshman 15 sequel to Our California Song, with a bright and glorious chorus that should inspire live sing-a-longs.

Getting Weird is a getting even with an ex-girlfriend song that many heartbroken dudes all across the world will claim as their own anthem of revenge. Harder Than Mine is a dynamic power ballad that shows a wondrously effective edge to the Freshman 15 sound. Close To Me follows with its vibrant melody and fist-pumping chorus.

Come Back For Me has a terrific gang vocal and is sure to be another Freshman 15 fan favorite. Incidentally, the song was co-written by ex-Freshman 15 member Rob Felicetti, now in Patent Pending.

Goodnight At Daylight will make you want to jump up and down and all around – especially when played loud! And then My Bad will want to make you launch headfirst into the nearest slam pit. The conclusions arrives with a colorful techno-style remix of Our California Song.

Here’s To Feeling Good meshes cathartic lyrics with rambunctious melodies, and it’s destined to catapult Freshman 15 to the next level. No dreaded sophomore slump here, as Freshman 15 really deliver the good with this one!

Freshman 15 is Davey Fortner on vocals and guitar, Davey Hoogerwerf on bass and vocals, Leo Teran on drums, and Mike Baker on guitar and vocals.  Fans of melodic punk acts such as Blink 182 and New Found Glory are to find a brand new favorite band when encountering the instantly memorable pop punk anthems presented by Freshman 15.  Be sure to catch the guys on tour with Bowling For Soup!  Highly recommended!!!

(Review by Kenneth Morton)

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The General Strike by Anti-Flag (Side One Dummy Records)

Political antics is something not estranged to Anti-Flag. The only difference is that Anti-Flag has never beaten around the bush at it. They try and stay as politically and as up to date as possible. They are the band that stands up and wants a challenging fight for the underclass and underdog. They sum up the scenes in real life that are happening politically around us. There are so many reasons to be scared from how the state of society is these days. Riots and shooting and robberies you would think we were in a war zone locally. This doesn’t even begin the argument of where freedom of speech lies that seems to want to be slammed down us to be quiet instead of fighting back at least verbally. It’s not just here in the states with the Occupy Movement but it’s all over the world stuff going on as well. Mayhem, protest and demonstrations have gotten out of hand. So political charged musicians like Anti-Flag have started to have their say too.

Right from the start of this CD it’s heavy in politics with a twenty second rage of attack on the judicial process that is happening in the United States. The other 11 tracks that follow this discuss openly stated views about social issues in the United States, economic protest and middle–east violence are all at a very out spoken in the lyrics. You need to retain a strong political mind listening on this cd. This marks the bands ninth release. Besides the great messages throughout the CD, the music is melodic punk with some innovative arrangements and with different instruments being over aggressive at times. So this aggressive message outcry for real listening and then doing something afterwards will either get you politically charged and involved or it will get you bouncing all over your room maybe even to tear up things and throw them around in a frenzy. Some of the best songs here are: Nothing Recedes Like Progress, The Ranks Of The Masses Rising, Broken Bones and The Neoliberal Anthem (which would make for a great video). 2012 is here and we are all living in it as this band tells it like it really is. The is a standout Cd just like Green Day’s hit American Idiot.

(Review by Jonathan D. Wright)

Symptoms by Useless ID (Fat Wreck Records)

Useless ID incorporates good melodies on top of killer songwriting & a great voice. Their past two albums were amazingly solid. I respect that over the years, these dudes have stuck to their indie roots & kept the underground. It’s 2012 and the band has mature from being on Kung Fu records to a more medium upper records label Fat Wreck Records. For the last eighteen years, Israeli punks Useless ID have released albums. With the release of Symptoms, Useless ID appears to be in a position where they may get a leg up and break out finally with ease. This makes Useless ID’s seventh CD and it features twelve diamond hard and razor sharp songs. From opening assault of Live Or Die, Useless ID shows what they’re made of.  With an unshakable foundation drummer Jonathan Harpak, guitarists Guy Carmel and Ishay Berger sear sensibilities of listeners with a one-two wallop of pop melody punk brutality. From that strong beginning, the band seems to go out of its way to out-do themselves with each successive song.

Great stand out tracks are: Before It Kills, Erratic, Manic Depression and Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. Symptoms is a group effort release. Sometimes though Berger throws in these guitar lines so harsh and determined that it sounds as if the band has been influenced by hardcore music. It’s Jonathan Harpak who packs in a most incredible percussive turn that keeps everything in line and pulses you to keep you in touch to the massive beat. Beyond all that, singer/bassist Yotam Horin maintains phenomenal vocals as he crosses dark and worrisome imagery in his matured lyrics this time around. All of this makes for a very interesting progressive album for sure. This record has some of the best refined pop-punk melodies to come along in years. What a great ride this album is to listen too. Now go catch a wave and ride it surfboard or skate board.

(Review by Jonathan D. Wright)

I Hope I Don’t Get Left Outside by No Tide (Anchor Eighty Four Records)

Based out of Lincoln, Nebraska, there is a lot of passion and conviction to be found within the dynamic pop-punk compositions of No Tide. After presenting a well received independent full length entitled Streetlights over the summer last year, No Tide returns with an exhilarating five-song EP being released by the fledging Anchor Eighty Four Records.  Produced with skilled precision by Jay Maas of Defeater, I Hope I Don’t Get Left Outside will find a permanent home with all who like their melodic punk shaded with a decidedly rough yet heartfelt edge. Fans of Title Fight, The Story So Far, and even The Movielife are sure to be enraptured by what this promising band has to offer.

The disc kicks into hydrasonic gear with the massive sounds of Sleepwalk, starting off in a gorgeous mid-tempo range and then plunging headfirst into a ferocious tirade that should really win over the listeners.  Guy’s Like Us Won’t Last A Day There is a thrilling anthem that should inspire sing-alongs all across the country when performed live.

What You Should Know is a haunting instrumental interlude followed by the wondrously impassioned Step Down. And then closing out the recording way too soon is the soaring Edina Weather, featuring the title track lyrics, “I Hope I Don’t Get Left Outside” ringing out with a dire sense of urgency.

Just with the sheer passion and energy displayed tenfold on I Hope I Don’t Get Left Outside, it will be exciting to see what sonic territories No Tide rolls into next. What a treat it would be see a band like No Tide on Warped Tour, rousing up the punk rock masses with their spirited tunes! With Heart To Heart and now No Tide, Anchor Eighty Four Records has been uncovering some terrific talent to be on the look out for. Be sure to check into No Hope’s latest EP and catch them live when their sonic waves of pure exhilaration threaten to envelope your town.

(Review by Kenneth Morton)

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Less Rhythm More Booze by Authority Zero (Suburban Noize Records)

This live recording was done in Arizona at Club Red in Mesa, AZ on July 2nd 2011. On here you will find 16 songs and included as a Live DVD of the show as well. This album is for the fans to show them just how much fun Authority Zero has when they are able to perform for an audience. This is true ska punk but its done acoustic. Done acoustic your asking why…well, because there was a power problem for the show.

The show starts of with a new song called Liberatededucation. Other great songs done were Big Bad World and Break The Mold. At the very end of the set was a cool convergence of two great songs from 2002 – One More Minute and Over Seasons. Artistically one of the best performances this band has ever pulled off. A definite collection piece to have.

(Review by Jonathan D. Wright)

I’ll Sleep When I’m Dead by Vegas Is North (Self-released EP)

Based out of Fresno, CA area, Vegas Is North is a pop punk band who clearly possesses a knack for super infectious and highly memorable tunes. I’ll Sleep When I’m Dead is their second EP to date, featuring four energetic songs sure to gain the band a good deal of attention. Fans of acts such as Yellowcard and New Found Glory will feel they’ve hit the jackpot when encountering what Vegas Is North has to offer. They band has opened for the likes of Hawthorne Heights and Allstar Weekend, as well as has played all of the prestigious Sunset Strip haunts. Their studio recordings easily catch the energy they convey in a live setting and are well worth seeking out.

I’ll Sleep When I’m Dead kicks off with the lively sounds of Parking Lot Kings, an exhilarating track that has hit single potential written all over it. The wonderfully titled People Freak Me Out continues on with the big and glorious choruses, and is sure to inspire sweeping sing-alongs when performed live.

Rollin’ is a gigantic anthem about “getting out of this town,” – a vibrant tune that will make you want to take on the world – complete with empowering gang vocal. And then closing out the disc is the sweet rockin’ strains of Not Easy, a burst of exuberance that will leave the listener wanting to hear a whole lot more.

It’s safe to bet that we’ll be hearing a lot more from Vegas Is North within the New Year. The Vegas Is North power trio consists of Chris Mehrtash on vocals / guitar, Matt Stolling on bass, and Jamie Munro on drums. Looking forward to hearing new material from this band. It would be great to see them on a show like Warped Tour as well…

(Review by Kenneth Morton)

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DVD ANTHOLOGY by Less Than Jake (Sleep It Off Records)

The Cure did it with their DVD called Trilogy. I am a big supporter of bands performing their albums in their entirety, as it’s a unique experience from both the band’s and their fans to enjoy. Oh sure Less Than Jake throw in some extra footage and couple extra songs on this four disc set. But here is a true way to really get to see the band function and play these CD in order. Less Than Jake played all six of their full-length albums from front to back over the course of six days at three different venues in their home state of Florida. Then the performances were documented on film. It may have taken awhile, but the shows are now available on the band’s new DVD set, Anthology. Enjoy and see how ska is really done and done well on here live.

(Review by Jonathan D. Wright)

Domesplitter by Direct Hit! (Kind Of Like Records)

A little reference to background for how this CD came to be. The band cut a series of 5 EPs that they gave away for free. First on their own they gave them away and then later on gave them away through Death To False Hope Records. The ten tracks on Domesplitter were then culled from those releases, then voted on by fans and re-recorded in the studio by the band’s current roster.

“Fuck you! Get pumped!” is the band’s rallying cry right off the bat from the record. Once singer/guitarist Nick Woods shouts these four words seconds into the album you know you are getting yourself into fast fun. Lyrically speaking the songs are easy to follow which allows you to go slamming in the punk pop frenzy anywhere this band performs.

The subject matter if you listen closely ranges from such topics as love to zombie attacks, and everything in between.   So if your looking to get pumped up and fast soar around and you like the sounds of The Loved Ones and Dillinger Four then give this band from Milwaukee, WI a spin in your CD players and turn it up for your neighbors too just for the punk fun of it.

(Review by Jonathan D. Wright)

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Diggin’ Deep by Sassy!!! (Good Trouble Records)

Diggin’ Deep is 13 tracks of primal, guitar chuggin rock’n'roll with tough and sexy vocals. Sassy!!! (don’t forget the three !!!’s) is the Bay Area duo of drummer/singer Kitty Largewood (aka Christa DiBiase of Girlband) and guitarist/singer Trixie Delicious (aka Lynda Mandolyn of Fabulous Disaster). The ladies know how to rock in a non-self-conscious way, plowing through girl-group longing for love melodies splashed with a bit of Sweet and a dash of The Runaways. It is the dual and singular lead vocals that really attract the ears to Sassy!!!’s simple rocking formula.

Some of the more memorable moments on Diggin’ Deep are the bubblegum of So Bad it’s Good and the angry distorted guitars of You Can Have Him. Be Alright slows down the pace with echoed desert wind guitars and a lovely vocal duet.

(Review by Bret Miller)

THE ABSOLUTE WORST EP by MAN OVERBOARD (Rise Records)

Rise Records has been signing some pretty terrific post hardcore bands lately, and with the addition of Man Overboard from New Jersey, the label may now add a thoroughly impressive melodic pop/punk band to their roster of talent.

Man Overboard’s big debut release for Rise will be a 2-song 7’ inch cleverly titled The Absolute Worst EP. Don’t let the title fool you though, the duo of tunes contained within are as infectious as hell and just what the rock doctor ordered until the band’s debut full length arrives sometime this Fall.

Those into the East Coast music scene may already be familiar with the rollicking melodies of previous Man Overboard entries. Fortunately The Absolute Worst EP will satisfy both their prior fans as well as new converts hungry to slam it up in pits across the nation.

“Girls like you are the absolute worst,” the super catchy chorus rings out gleefully on the EP’s wondrous title track. This is a song that is guaranteed to be a big hit at live shows, and it surely demonstrates just how remarkably tight and creatively resourceful these musicians are.

And then there’s the B-side, the cleverly titled I Saw Behemoth and It Ruled, an “Electric” version of an previously released track that is pure pop punk excellence. Not sure what this band would be doing at a show featuring the Polish blackened death metal sensations known as Behemoth, but this rockin’ anthem about a relationship gone very wrong is ear candy for music aficionados from all walks of life.

For those wanting to hear the jangly musical commotion of Man Overboard in a live setting, the band will be touring across the country throughout March and April on the PMA Tour – joining the likes of Sense Fail, The Ghost Inside, and fellow Rise recording artists Transit. In the meantime, don’t be surprised to find The Absolute Worst EP stuck on repeat within the electronic entrails of your IPOD.

The Man Overboard lineup consists of Zac on vocals and guitar, Nik on vocals and bass, Justin on guitar, and Mike on drums. Fans of entities such as New Found Glory, Jimmy Eat World, and The Starting Line are sure to meet a new favorite when pursing the sonic delights of Man Overboard.

(Review by Kenneth Morton)

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