The Blisterz - Rebels Without Applause

The Blisterz - Rebels WithoutApplause
2011, Chickenstock Records

Albany, NY power-punk trio TheBlisterz look to unleash their blend of chaos, charisma and power chords in thekey of G on an unsuspecting world with their sophomore effort, RebelsWithout Applause. Davey Blister (vocals/guitar); Drew "Blood"Blister (bass) and Vinny Blister (drums) smash and bash their way throughfourteen dynamic punk-rockers on the follow-up to their 2007 debut, Who'sLaughing Now? With a penchant for three chord anthems and moderatesocio-political commentary, The Blisterz follow in the sonic footsteps of bandssuch as The Ramones and the New York Dolls.

Rebels Without Applause shows flashes of this musical charisma, but also spends afair amount of time muddling around without a message. "BOTB (We ShouldHave Listened To Our Friend Gus)" borrows a bit from The Ramones but is asolid start. "Friday Night Girls" is a classic band complaint aboutyoung bar-goes who only want to hear songs currently on top-40 radio. It's a catchynumber full of brash humor. "Your Girlfriend Wants Me" opens with achord progression that could have been lifted from "Baba O'Riley"(The Who). The song is a fun bit of trash-talking bravado. The Blisterz get ina catchy kiss-off song with real pop sensibility in the form of "Hear UCry"; this could be a breakout hit for the band, particularly if it werepicked for a movie or television soundtrack.

Kvetching is the word of the day on"Yellow Flag", a WTF song about the state of the world that is likelyto reverberate with anyone confused about the direction of the world. Likewise,"The DJ Let Us Down Again" could be a socio-political commentary, ormight just be what it sounds like. Either way, it's an enjoyable listen thatshows a bit more depth from The Blisterz than you might expect at first glance."Wrecking Ball" is a catchy-mid tempo number that's a lot of fun andwell-played. The Blisterz explore the ultimate workplace diversion on"Paper Jam", putting copy rooms to their proper (alternative) use. RebelsWithout Applause closes with "Over And Out", a somewhat weakending for a generally solid to above average effort.

The Blisterz have the same energyand ability to surprise that could be found in early Green Day recordings,although without the apparent, pervasive drug cloud. In spite of the uncutapproach to music, The Blisterz show a surprising pop sensibility andcomplexity on Rebels Without Applause. It's easy to imagine The Blisterzgrowing up beyond their three-chord punk anthems into a band of real substanceover time. For now, they're a fun diversion with great things afoot.

Rating: 3 Stars (Out of 5)

Learn more about The Blisterz at www.facebook.com/theblisterz or www.myspace.com/theblisterz.  Rebels Without Applause is availablefrom Amazon.com as a CDor Download.  The album is also available via iTunes.

The New Rochelles - It's New

The New Rochelles - It's New!
2011, Bright And Barrow Records

Long Beach, New York punk power trio brings their love for three chord pop punk to light on their album It's New!, due out on August 16, 2011.  Hailing from the same stomping grounds as The Ramones, The New Rochelles aim to mix the passion, energy and raw sound of punk with shiny pop hooks and refrains that get stuck in your noggin.  Building on the roots of New York style punk, The New Rochelles shred through songs with abandon on It's New, showing the sort of vibrant energy on the album that is generally reserved for the stage.

It's New opens with "Go Go New Ro!", a musical call to battle for the band that's aurally appealing but overly simplistic.  The band dives into "This My L.J.", a bouncy, high energy punk/pop blend that gets your feet moving.  "Did Something Bad" is of similar musical ilk.  The vocal harmonies here are impressive, and fill in ably in The New Rochelle's semi-frenetic arrangement.  "Watch For Skunkape" is a modern day horror story in song; entertaining and fun.    The New Rochelles go full throttle on "Quit Givin' Me The Stinkeye" while maintaining close coordination.  This high energy call out carries all of the energy of classic punk rock.

"Who Will (I Will)" displays a distinctive pop sensibility alongside a heavy rock arrangement that's relentless.  This is a pure marriage between pop and punk that should be a hit.  The New Rochelles get a bit more aggressive on "Static Shock", hanging loose with all the chutzpah punk rock requires.  Things stay pretty steady through the end, although "Tina's Got A Toothache" comes across as a bit inane.  "It's Really Hard To" is a great recovery, however, and a perfect close an energetic and well-intended effort.

The New Rochelles show a talent for writing great pop songs and wrappng them up in the vestiges of punk rock on It's New!  That's not to say everything on the album works perfectly well, but there are more than enough highs here to make the occasional low more than bearable.

Rating: 3.5 Stars (Out of 5)

Learn more about The New Rochelles at www.facebook.com/thenewrochelles or www.myspace.com/thenewrochelles.  It’s New drops on Tuesday, August 16, 2011.  Order your copy on Vinyl, or download from Bright And Barrow Records.

Kingfin - Get Involved [EP]

Kingfin - Get Involved [EP]
2010, Kingfin

UK rockers Kingfin draw their influences from bands such as The Clash, Nirvana and The Ramones, but with healthy doses of Radiohead and Pink Floyd thrown in as well. The band, who take their name from a bad guy in the game Super Mario Galaxy is starting to garner global attention, with radio placements in Canada, the US and back at home based on their debut EP, Get Involved.

Get Involved opens with "Hollywould Smile", a diatribe against television shopping and the ease at which such TV networks talk people out of their money. There's a modicum of anger here and the arrangement is suggestive of punk origins but more refined. "Dirty Little Secret" takes to task someone for their role in infidelity as the third wheel. It's a wakeup call delivered over a simple arrangement heavy on drums and bass with guitar providing angry accents. "Living Hell" is a slinky, blues-influenced rocker that's a lot of fun to listen to. This song probably works best on stage, but it will get your toes tapping no matter the setting. Get Involved closes with "Sweet Sixteen", an angry monologue about a teen girl with an over-sized sense of entitlement.

Kingfin seems to have some of the punk anger but little of the lash. The four songs offered on Get Involved are enjoyable on their face, but the aural treat becomes plain with repeated exposure. Some of this is certainly presentation, and it seems likely that these songs would fare better on stage with the flow of live energy than in the studio. Get Involved is enough to get you in the door as a listener. What Kingfin does next will tell whether listeners stick around.

Rating: 3 Stars (Out of 5)

Learn more about Kingfin at www.myspace.com/kingfin01.  Get Involved is available digitally from Amazon.com or iTunes.