Yes, dooders and doodettes, it is time again for me to provide my uninformed, unsolicited, and oft-unsober thoughts on a full albums worth of music I've never heard. This week, the album is coming from a band I am mostly unfamiliar with, Polar Bear Club.
Here we see them putting on quite the live show.
Although the name of the group confuses me on whether this is some kind of supremacist gathering of bears or a stick fashioned to be used specifically for thwarting those Coca-Cola loving beasts, I have heard many good things about the music this band has put out. I am excited to dive into this one.
I can tell this is going to be cheery.
I am also excited to dive into a bottle of cheap whiskey. Rebel Yell is one of the best get-you-drunk-for-your-buck whiskeys out there. Cut that shit with some Dr. Pepper, and you have a drink that slides down better than any of the humor I've tried to throw your way thus far. So to avoid becoming any less funny, on to the review!
Album:
Alcohol:
Rebel Yell Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey and Dr. Pepper
"Blood Balloon" brings us in with static before the drums bring us into a powerful punk open before settling into a pop punk feel in the verse. Nice and hooky and I like what I'm hearing with the guitars. Settles into a slower, but driving chorus. Not quite what I was thinking with the blood and death themes, but I can't say that I'm disappointed. There are a lot of cool things going on here musically, and the vocals are nice and hooky. The pace changes are superbly done, and keep this song moving and interesting. Cool endding.
Moving out of "Blood Balloon" is "Graph Paper Glory Days". It keeps the energy high. Loving the driing bass in the verse, and that tone is gorgeous! Really cool movement here too. Nice hooky chorus. This is like pop-punk on steriods. So much going on, but still retaining all the bounce and fun of pop-punk. Cool tune.
Slowing only a little into "So I Buy". Nice subtle verse build into a chorus that is light and bouncy, but reatians a nice punch. This feels a little more straight forward musically than the preceding track, but still enjoyable. This bridge part finds the really cool movement already established. Drop out and nice punch back into the chorus. How have I not heard these guys yet? They even have my cat purring.
Slow intro that quickly picks up on "For Show". There is an almost rockabilly feel to this one. Not full on, but there-ish. This is, like, beautifully modernized 90s, and I LOVE it. Vocals showing a cool range with some near screaming there. Not saying htey've been soft, but it's nice to get that hint of an edgier sound. Good tune here as well. Rockabilly definitely wans't what I meant. but it's somehting... something awesome.
"Siouxsie Jeanne" comes in and slows the pace. Nice subtle guitars complimenting the voice nicely. Hint of a build... Vocals pick up, and settling into a slightly more pushing sound. The growth of this track is nice. Drops out and settles with a nice soft ending.
Growing out of it is "WLWYCD" that comes in subtle before awesomely punching you in the face with guitar, and exposing itself for the pace saving track it is. This album is beautifully laid out thus far. And this track is another nice one. Not sure I dig the "Why Live When You Can Die" line and message, but good track nonetheless. VERY nice drop out and build in the bridge. And beautiful transistion into the final chorus. Nice scream to close it.
"Chicago Spring" keeps the pace going. It's a bit more lowkey, but nice. Cool stop at the end of that first chorus. This song is feeling a bit static, but that's not to take away too much from it's enjoyablility. And into the bridge, we again get a good pacing change. God, that bass tone is sexy. To name this song for the low point of the album that is is thus far is a tribute to just how good this album has been.
Growing out of the static ending the previous track is the more urgent "When We Were College Kids". Here it's the held guitar chorus that allow the drums to push the pace giving a nice differential to what we've alrready heard on the disc. Same style, new tricks. Good tune.
Faux heavy intro leads into the driving "Twang". Another really cool track. And I've moved into buzz happy swaying music enjoymment mode. Whiskey makes me happy like that. Simple solo. Nice.
"Upstate Mosquito" comes in with a cool albeit subtle guitar. And the voicing is nice along with it. Maybe my favorite lyrics right there. Comes in after the intro much ore up beat, and I'm digign it. That chorus is excelelnt. Great pop-punk tune. I can feel the 90s revival happening right now. Faux enign into a nice lowkey chorus. Really cool. This has got to be my favorite moment thus far. Waiting for the kick in? Teaser... Coming? Yes? Maybe? I can feel it... Not yet... No, I don't think it's happening... That's okay... Lets wee where they pick up as feedbak-ish sounds ring out...
"Saw Blade" punches in, and in a snap, brings all the energy up to ten. The stop and trat verse opening is nice before settling into a nice driving second half. The lead licks that happen REALLY need to be ixed a little higher. They are so cool, but I want to hear them MORE. ORE! Nice drop out. And unresovld endign! Beautifull.
Final Thoughts:
One of the more complete albums I've heard. Such a cool aproach to a generally pop-punk style that gives me hope for the future of music. Dug it. A lot. It is imperative that you listen to this disc. ANd even MORE impearative that you own it!
Feel free to agree with me and all of my rightness in the comments. Also share my damn blog! Please?
-Badhorse
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