Archives: January 2011
The Sky We Scrape
Photo by Katie Hovland
Matt Skiba – Demos
Asian Man Records – Release Date: 8/10/10
Demos, as one might plausibly surmise, is not a traditional solo album in that it was self-recorded by Alkaline Trio singer/guitarist Matt Skiba on his own laptop. What this recording lacks in terms of studio polish is more than made up for by the insight it provides fans as to how Skiba’s song ideas originate. At its highest points, Demos sounds like a behind-the-scenes preview of what could someday become future Alkaline Trio hits. “You Didn’t Feel a Thing” opens the disc with a familiar Skiba guitar lead and somber mood, and features sparse keyboard accents. “Haven’t You?” is an acoustic ballad that’s not a unlike “Sorry About That”, the final song on Alkaline Trio’s debut album, Goddamnit. “S.O.S.” is an upbeat rock song that boasts heavily distorted guitar and soaring backing vocals. It might not be the best song on Demos, but it’s certainly the most fun and the one that demands the most repeated listens. The remaining tracks either display somewhat of an electronic influence or exceedingly dark lyrical undertones, and simply aren’t as memorable as the aforementioned songs. Ultimately, the overall appeal and quality of songwriting found on Demos doesn’t match Skiba’s previous solo output, (a 2002 split with Kevin Seconds). Therefore, this is strictly recommended for diehard Alkaline Trio fans in search of a fix before the band’s next studio album is released.
Bad Religion – The Dissent of Man
Epitaph – Release Date: 9/28/10
Not only did Bad Religion turn 30 this year, they also released their 15th studio album, entitled The Dissent of Man. Easily their best effort since The Process of Belief, this record blends varying genres, bristles with pointed lyrics and radiates a glossy production job. The band wastes little time getting warmed up, as the second track, “Only Rain”, showcases virtually all of their finest attributes. It opens with an intricate guitar lead, flaunts intelligent words, delivers powerhouse drumming and of course incorporates three-part vocal harmonies. The song sounds like classic Bad Religion, but still manages to seem inspired after all these years. Track three, “The Resist Stance”, retains somewhat of a ‘90s alternative vibe and sounds as though it could have plausibly been included on Stranger than Fiction. It’s built around a hypnotic and memorable guitar solo that translates even better in concert. “The Devil in Stitches” is the first single and by far the band’s catchiest song since “Los Angeles is Burning”. Its driving rhythm and sunny chorus are custom-built for commercial rock radio and why it wasn’t a huge smash is plainly unexplainable. “Pride and the Pallor”, “Wrong Way Kids” and “Someone to Believe” are additional melodic entries that are worthy of praise. The residual songs favor more classic rock and folk-like influences, and aren’t as striking as the abovementioned tunes. The Dissent of Man isn’t going to convert many new Bad Religion fans, but it’s significantly better than their last two albums. Those who’ve ever enjoyed the band in the past owe it to themselves to give this a spin.
The Smoking Popes
The Smoking Popes by Katie Hovland
Street Dogs Interview, 2008
The Street Dogs are a rare example of a tried-and-true, 21st century punk rock band. Their songs are assertive, outspoken and inspired. They’re also consummate professionals onstage, routinely delivering lengthy, crowd-pleasing performances that are on par with or surpass the best live bands in independent rock. On their latest album, State of Grace, the band has successfully restyled their sound and become a tighter, more focused group than ever before. It’s undeniably one of the best punk records of 2008 and one that even passing fans of the genre must hear. This interview was done with Street Dogs’ singer Mike McColgan prior to their recent show at Reggie’s Rock Club on 10/4/08. Continue Reading…
Alkaline Trio Interview, 2009
The vast majority of readers on this website need no introduction to Alkaline Trio. To put it simply, they are a large part of the legendary lineage of great Chicago punk bands that have broken through the underground and achieved widespread acclaim. Singer/bassist Dan Andriano was kind enough to grant this interview and openly discussed everything from the band’s major label debut, Agony and Irony, to the newfound uncertainty that lies in Alk3’s future. Continue Reading…
Fat Music Vol. 7: Harder, Fatter + Louder!
Fat Wreck Chords compilation, featuring 22 songs and photos from JIC’s Katie Hovland. Release date: 11/23/10
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