This album rules! Its probably my favorite ska/punk album. This is AAA's first amd better album which features snotty political/social punk lyric backed up with some great bass lines and some skanking horns. This album has 22 songs, 18 of which rule, the last 4 are a dissapointment, but the rest rule. Favorite songs include "Lifestyle of Rebelliun", " No Reason", and "Destroy What Destroys You", but as I said all of the first 18 rule. If u like punk with horns with snotty political lyrics run to the store and pick this album up. I give it a 10!
Against All Authority All Fall Down
This album is AAA's second realease and I must admit I was a little dissapointed. Its still a great album, but its just not as fast and the horns only blast during the choruses. On the plus side the lyrics still fucking rule! The bass to still rules, but this time the guitar gets a little monotonous. I really have no favorite songs on this album, they all are very good but none stand out. If you liked the first album you'll want to buy this album too, but to me this album just didn't live up to my expectations. I give it an 8.
Hopeless Records
Po Box 7495
Van Nuys, Ca 91409-7495
Anti-Flag is a pretty good political punk band from Pittsburg. Some of their songs are poppy, some snotty, and some near the end of the album have a slow heavy feel to them. Most of the poppy and snotty songs are very good, but the heavyish songs really suck. Most of the political lyrics are ok, but nothing spectacular. Plus I really don't like their views on rich people in the songs "Kill The Rich" and "Your Daddy Was A Rich Man, Now Your Dads Fucking Dead". On the other hand songs like " Drink Drank Punk", " Red White And Brainwashed", and "Punk By The Book" rule and have a perfect relationship between the vocals and the instrumental. I give them a 6.5.
Assorted JelleybeansSelf Titled
Kung Fu Records
PO Box 3061
Seal Beach, Ca 90740
If you like ska/punk and you don't have this album pick it up right now! These guys have a poppy ska/punk sound with no horns, but a lot of pick it ups, yells, and other cool sounds. They blend poppy vocals with ska and punk guitars and some often cool bass lines. They sing about everything from pot to punk elitists to just being yourself. Favorite songs include "Assorted Jellybeans", "No Time", and "Braindead". I can't really say anymore about these guys other than go pick up their cd right now. I give them a 9.5.
If you've never heard the Aquabats before all I can say is that they're insane, but the sound great. They have a general ska beat with some pretty original horns. Their lyrics are very weird, they sing about things like cats with two heads, martians, and midget pirates. The vocals sound great and complement the style of music nicely, most of the choruses sound good to. Most of the songs are good, but 3 or 4 flat out suck. On this CD the good stuff totally outweighs the bad though, and is well worth a listen. Favorite songs include "Super Rad", "Idiot Box", and "Theme Song".
Also catch these guys live if you can, because they put on a hell of a show. I give them a 7.5.
Avail is an ok punk/hardcore band that combinds melodic hardcore with slowed down heartfelt punk. The fast songs a pretty good, and I love the heartfelt lyrics. The only problem is that one minute its really fast and rocking along, then Bam! it suddenly mellows out and sounds weak. The slow parts and songs I really don't like, but the fast parts with heartfelt lyrics are pretty good. If you want to try out something different that combines mellodic hardcore, with slowed down punk pats with heartfelt lyrics give these guys a listen. I seriously recomend listening to more than 1 or 2 songs before buying because one song can be really different from the next. I give them a 5.