Author: UberAdmin

Bad Cop/Bad Cop – ‘The Ride’ (Fat Wreck Chords)

Bad Cop/Bad Cop – ‘The Ride’ (Fat Wreck Chords)

Posted by | Jun 19, 2020 | ,

The last album that Californian pop punk quartet Bad Cop/Bad Cop released was aptly named ‘Warriors’, back in 2017. Recorded following the election of Trump and a car crash of a tour that ended prematurely due to drug problems, it was an angry record to say the least. However, not only do Linh Le (vocals/bass), Stacey Dee (vocals/guitar), Jennie Cotterill (vocals/guitar) and Myra Gallarza (drums) have each other’s backs, their record label does too. Dee was sent to rehab and by all accounts has emerged stronger on the other side. It’s clear that this second chance for the band has resulted in a more measured and thankful approach – an attitude that Lesley M declares comes across clearly in the lyrics and feel of ‘The Ride’.

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Protest The Hero – ‘Palimpsest’ (Spinefarm Records)

Protest The Hero – ‘Palimpsest’ (Spinefarm Records)

Posted by | Jun 19, 2020 | ,

The rather clichéd notion that turmoil creates the best art is certainly contestable, but it seems to have fuelled Canada’s prog geniuses Protest The Hero for their fifth album.  Mired by endless hurdles, not least frontman Rody Walker blowing out his voice right before the band were due to hit the studio, the current existence of ‘Palimpsest’ is surprising.  More impressive though, according to Jonni D, is its staggering quality…

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The Speedways – ‘Radio Sounds’ (Snap!/Hurrah Musica)

The Speedways – ‘Radio Sounds’ (Snap!/Hurrah Musica)

Posted by | Jun 19, 2020 | ,

It’s not hard to categorise London’s The Speedways – they’re power pop: pure, simple and proud of it. And why not? ‘Radio Sounds’ is the band’s second album, following up the acclaimed debut ‘Just Another Regular Summer’. But whereas that album was largely a one-man effort from vocalist and songwriter Matt Julian, this one sees the involvement of the whole live band to take things up a notch. The Speedways are actually one of a handful of bands Jim R did manage to catch live this year, when they supported the mighty Giuda, and very impressive they were too. So is the album going to impress our man as much as their live act did?

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Cro-Mags – ‘In The Beginning’ (Arising Empire/Mission Two Entertainment)

Cro-Mags – ‘In The Beginning’ (Arising Empire/Mission Two Entertainment)

Posted by | Jun 18, 2020 | ,

With the first full-length release from Cro-Mags in nearly 20 years Harley Flanagan is focussed on nothing but a new start. An acrimonious court battle against his ex-drummer and vocalist over the rights to the band name ended in his favour in 2019. As a result there were temporarily two Cro-Mags leading to confusion for fans. Yet, since the legal acquisition of the name took force, Flanagan’s band, featuring musicians who have all previously been in Cro-Mags, have wasted no time, releasing an EP (‘Don’t Give In’) and single (‘From The Grave’) in 2019, the latter their final Victory Records release. The line-up includes drummer Garry Sullivan as well as guitarists Gabby Abularach (Voodoocult), who has contributed to Korn and Santana releases, and Rocky George (ex-Suicidal Tendencies). With a handful of songs written and experience of working together they simply entered the studio and thrashed out the details.

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