Nuclear Family-S/T LP

When I first got my hands on their s/t ep I was truly taken back by all 3 well constructed catchy punk tunes. So when I heard they had put together a full length i had to get my hands on it and once again this band captures something special. Nuclear Family are based out of Albany NY a town that i have been to twice, both times it was wet and gloomy(in the summer)its a city that feels smaller then most and not very busy. It seem as though at one point Albany had the noise of a major cramped city but now it has stopped. The short time i was there it felt almost like it was deserted. The sound this group produces reflects their town perfectly.

The album delivers the same quality as the 7". No drastic changes are made and the band seems to stick with a formula but not so much that your going to hear the same song twice. Theres a good mix of gripping songs with heavy riffs and quick somewhat upbeat toe tappers. Like the 7" everything has a haunting sound thats perfect for the female vocals to float over.

So all though there is no break through in the bands sound or song structure this LP still makes for a great listen and i feel is the bands finest hour. Seems like not too many bands can hack the full length format but Nuclear Family shines which is what Lps are for in my opinion.

Tour press on Loud Punk.
http://loudpunk.com/wordpress/

Tenement-False Teeth EP

Pop punk played by hardcore nerds, hardcore nerds happen to make the best pop punk for some reason. 3 melodic tunes that makes me think of a dirtier Ergs! or a more intense more layered Screeching Weasel but this thing has enough going on to stand on its own merits. 2 shorter faster ones on the a-side that will probably have you wanting to hear them again before the b-side. Speaking of the b-side, you get one slower more melancholy song that reminds us of those cold nights you somehow manage to end up drinking beer in your car after a "talk" with you ex-girlfriend. Highly recommended for everyone.

Tenement play out of the Milwaukee area and the Midwestern charm is very apparent on this 7". Released on Rock Bottom records, 500 pressed.

http://www.myspace.com/tenementwi

Bloodtype-S/T EP

Super charged straight edge that you simply can not ignore. Bloodtype takes traditional straight edge hardcore turns up the volume and plays every note with the angst and speed needed to keep you going. Don't worry though they throw in some mosh parts too. So far Bloodtype has displayed all the qualities that make a great band, its nothing we haven't seen before but for fans of straight up no gimmick hardcore this EP is a must have.

Bloodtype hail from NJ and show no sign of stopping. Cowabunga records does it again, 500 pressed with 100 on color.

http://www.myspace.com/bloodtypexxx
http://www.cowabungarecords.com/store/

Regulations-To Be Me LP + 7"

Not that recent of an album but just one i slept on. This is the 3rd LP released by this band and it may not have impacted me like their first one did but it still makes for a great listen.

Regulations have always had a sense of urgency that really set them apart from other bands, catchy lyrics and riffs just aren't enough now n days but these guys really sink their teeth into it and their energy just makes everything that much better. "To Be Me" has a good mix of songs the band expands their sound with the more layered "Baghdad Beach Party", give you classic punk tracks like "Problem Solved" and experiment with "To Be Me"(personal favorite). Like i said above it didn't really slap me in the face like the 1st LP but its a good collection of songs and fans of this band will find themselves going back to hear more of this record.

The bonus 7" contains older tracks from a live radio session and is cool if you want to hear alternative takes of your favorites. "To Be Me" was released by Deranged records.

http://www.myspace.com/regulationshc
http://www.derangedrecords.com/

Born Bad-In The Dark 7"

Born Bad was a band that I never really payed too much attention to. I don't know what it was but i remember hearing them and just never felt the need to pick up their records right away. I saw them play twice(they were better the second time) and thought that i should probably pick up an e.p. but just never got around to it. It was nothing personal i wasn't violently against listening to them, they seemed like alright guys too. A couple of weeks ago my buddy got some records he bought wholesale and this was one of them, so I finally decided to get a Born Bad record, it was worth it.

"In The Dark" is the perfect record for this band Its got everything they have done in the past but this time around they throw in some extra feedback and instead of blazing through every song they slow things down even drag at times. The songs do not rely on atmosphere though the band plays them well and you can tell that they wanted you to feel the hate through the riffs as well as the lyrics.

Born Bad hasn't changed who they are or what they do though, thats the thing this is still a Born Bad record. Here is a band who has managed to find a sound that works for them and at the same time craft their best songs to date. What more could you ask for?

These Canadian homeboys are busy running their label HOME INVASION and have already released some of the better 7"s this year. Despite some rumors of Born Bad calling it quits i have reason to believe we may see at least one more release from them. "In The Dark" was released on Home Invasion records. 500 were pressed.

http://mysterypunk.com/