Scream, Dracula, Scream

Day 15 of Albums You Must Hear Before You Die. Today I got another album from a band that I have never heard of. I’ve never heard a single song from the San Diego band, Rocket From The Crypt. The title of this album is Scream, Dracula Scream! Released in 1995, this was RFTC’s first major label recording. When I put on the first track, Middle, I was blown away with the energy and uptempo of the song. Surely, I thought, they can’t keep up with this throughout the record? Well, that’s exactly what they did. Scream, Dracula Scream! Keeps the pedal to the metal on all 14 songs. I can only imagine that being at one of their live shows would be a blast! The vocals of lead singer and guitarist Reis are aggressive, without screeching into my ears. The drummer, Sean Flynn, pounds away and gives the songs a serious back bone. Super talented drummer! Almost all of the band members lend backing vocals and the song Misbeaten shines because of it. (Maybe my favorite song by the way). Last but not least, they have horns beautifully blaring on all songs and I’m a sucker for that, really gives that 90’s Ska vibe. I really enjoyed all of the songs and had zero urges to skip any of them. Other songs that really need attention are Born In ’69, On a Rope, Come See Come Saw, and Fat Lip. Scream, Dracula Scream! Is filled to the brim with re-playability. If you want an album to pump you up, this will do the trick. It’s totally rad! One thing I like the most about this project, so far, is that some of the music is completely unknown to me, but becomes some of my favorites of the week. I must admit, I always get a little bummed and intimidated when I receive something totally unfamiliar, at first, but it can be so rewarding sometimes. Sure, I am excited to totally nerd out on albums that I know already like the back of my hand, and those albums will be fun to write about, but that’s not what this project is all about. It’s called Albums You Must Hear Before You Die, not re-listen to albums you’ve heard a gazillion times already and act like a Know It All… I’m having a blast! Please share your thoughts, opinions, and memories below. Even if that means shaming me for not knowing about this super dope band beforehand. Peace!

Thai album is so boring. The energy level is consistent and just palls. It is recorded and mixed in such a way that an individual track would pop when played on the radio as the best thing you heard that hour, but listening to the whole album is exhausting. I hate his whiny voice, which just seems like posturing. I hate the arrangements. there is no point. It generically 'rocks', but there is no real grit to it. I'm sure they put on a decent live show (and it seems like they do a lot of live gimmicks), but these songs bore and tire me. I give it a second star because it is energetic and decently recorded. Actually, I think Come See, Come Saw is just a a re-write of Know Your Product by the Saints. One star off for plagiarism of a far better song.

This wS a pretty underwhelming listen. Decent straight ahead rock and roll with a punk edge. Not sure why it should be on this list. I feel that the list should be reserved for albums that are either outstanding or influential and I don't think this either. 2.5 🌟

I had heard of RFTC but never listened. I didn’t realize the same guy formed this band and Drive Like Jehu. This is obviously up my alley. It’s got some ska vibes on a some songs, which is usually about the amount of ska I can handle. I would probably give it a 4.5 realistically. It is a little too long. I wish it was 11-12 songs rather than 14. I don’t know which songs I’d cut, though. I tend to prefer front halves of albums to back halves anyway, not sure why.

Sounds like the most generic 90’s punk rock ever, it’s very of it’s time. The singer has the typical snotty punk tone of a thousand punk rock singers before him. It’s basic and derivative and not special. I didn’t outright hate it, but I think a more impactful punk band should have their spot on the list.

one noted high school drop out punk rock band.

Why this atrocious mid-90s punk album could ever deserve a spot on this list is completely beyond me.

i mean it’s fine but i don’t know why it’s on this list

Well damn. This is a fine gem that I never knew about. It's like this album is perfectly situated at the crossroads of everything punk - what came before, and what came after. I was surprised to to get something that sounded so much like old school punk in the mid-90's (i.e. paralleling the development of pop-punk, without crossing over). And yet it also has those horns/sax to give it that ska feel without being a "college rock" album in the style of Reel Big Fish. And heck, there was even some noodling in there that spoke to the midwest emo/math rock sensiblities. Good listen.

I’m right on a 3. When this album hits, it hits pretty good – there are some genuinely energetic songs here that come together in complete harmony between the vocals, lyrics, and instrumentation, and I’d say that comprises about half the album. The other half tends to hit on just one or two of the three, but never quite hits that perfect balance on all 3; sometimes, it’ll reach it briefly during one of the other 7 songs, but it never sustains it for long enough to really click like the other 7 do. I’ll say this – it never falters on the instrumentation. I especially love the usage of the horns here, giving everything a sort of Ska vibe that I think is kinda underrated. The mixing is… a bit suspect at times, with the guitar especially overwhelming almost every other instrument here on most of the songs, but I never thought it was that big of a deal. I mean, ultimately, it’s a fine album, but it’s just kind of underwhelming for an album to really peak around Track 6 or 7 and then kinda just walk its way to the finish line, you know? I felt less engaged by the halfway mark, and it just sort of wore me down by the end. There’s solid stuff here, and I’d imagine someone will stay engaged the whole way through, but it just doesn’t feel like I needed to listen to this before I die. It’s a solid 3, and that’s really about it.

The expeditions into genre territory like ska and surf are the most fun and also the best parts of the record. However, I have no taste at all for the (grungy?) vocal style and that is constant over far too long a time. I'm intrigued by some of the music and my take sweetened after the first two tracks. Please, people, lose the butt rock "growl".

I screamed.

When this started, I thought, oh lord this is not what my frayed nerves need today. And I turned it off. Then I restarted and turned the volume down and it was much better. I completely missed this band at the time but I dig this punky, grungey (grungy?), alt-rock sound. (My spell check likes grungy but my eyes don't.) Reminds me of Faith No More, Soundgarden, Elvis Costello. Misbeaten sounds like The Beatles feat. Frankie Valli. I love On a Rope, Young Livers (yes!), Ball Lightning, Suit City, and Come See Come Saw. WOW! I love this!

In the middle of punk/ melodic hardcore revival of the mid nineties, these beasts popped up and showed us what concepts like punk or attitude really meant. Honestly, I still preferred 'Dookie' or 'SMASH' -and still do, but this one was a great companion, a well received and deserved fist in the face

No. 181/1001 Middle 2/5 Born in '69 3/5 On A Rope 2/5 Young Livers 3/5 Drop Out 2/5 Used 3/5 Ball Lightning 3/5 Fat Lip 2/5 Suit City 2/5 Heater Hands 3/5 Misbeaten 2/5 Come See, Come Saw 2/5 Salt Future 2/5 Burnt Alive 2/5 Average: 2,36 Not for me.

Competent snotty chanting and surprisingly early-00's for the release date. But it's basically obsolete by design.

I mean, it’s a serviceable post-punk, but so would be My Chemical Romance, or Ween, or hell….Devo. I am left severely-wanting in comparing this to what I’ve not seen on this list so far. Fair? Not really, but I have no direction that tells me I need to be fair.

Just lacks character. I don’t like this era of rock at all. Sounds like a garage jam band that wants to be edgy. Tried to find a redeeming song but couldn’t.

completely forgettable american drivel.

So they pumped up their obnoxious sound with horn and string arrangements to make it even more obnoxious? Has no business on this list. I could think of several dozen albums from the era that could take its place. Would normally be 2 stars but I'm feeling crabby today and the shitty font choice and graphic design on the cover are pissing me off. At least Photoshop that grey speck out near the scorpion's right pincer.

A thrill ride, like a rickety wooden rollercoaster hurtling at speed; driving rhythm section, stabbing horns, charismatic frontman; slick back you hair, rev up your motorcycle, pull on your leathers. Rock music like it should be done - get in, get out fast, look good whilst you do it.

Damn, what a fun album! Just packed with jams, I bet they would be a blast to see live

This is a pretty good straightforward rocker. Sort of hard to date by listening - at times it sounds like 90s, sometimes like 70s, sometimes 80s. It's pretty standard as far as the music goes. I don't really dig the vocals so much but they aren't terrible. Tempo is pretty much the same all the way through which isn't really my favorite thing. Lyrics are pretty bad. Overall not a horrible album but probably a one and done for me. 2.5/5 rounding up because I actually do like some of the songs and it was well-played.

Solid 90’s alt-rock record. I’m not a huge fan of horns in rock music, but it mostly works here.

Hi-Octane rock and roll energy, hollering and whooping, cracking riffs and pounding drums, with the salsa piccante of a horn section. The sound of a rock and roll gang. They do rather run out of puff by Ball Lightning - the album is "front-loaded", with Born in 69 and On A Rope the best tracks by far, and there are several songs towards the end that are a bit lumpy - but it's still a refreshing blast!

This one didn’t click with me. The overuse of horns made most of the tracks way too busy. Nothing stood out riff/hook wise either.

I'm pretty sure I've listened to a song or two from them before and liked them and got upset because this is such a lame band name and album cover. I realize that is a massively dumb reason to not be into a band but here it is. Can an album be described as so bad it’s good. Because this album is HILARIOUS. Why’s the singer sound like that? It’s too bad to be considered good, but way too annoying to be considered interesting. The lyrics are just abysmal, when “you want some cheese with all that whine” is a hook treated with genuine sincerity you know you’re in for a trash fire. And then the instruments are so loud and dumb, and some of the riffs are so annoying. There are occasional glimpses of SOMETHING interesting, but god it’s so dumb. I love this album it’s so funny. 1/5

Oh god American Garage Punk. really tried to give this a shot but I was cringing the entire time and had to turn it off as I hated so much.

I lived in San Diego for a spell and loved the local music scene. Every bar had a poster for these guys. The love is well deserved.

Perfect album. Rock at full blast. Long live the Swami.

Hell yeah! The epitome of '90s post-punk rock 'n' roll! And I mean that as a compliment. Fell in LOVE with this band with the release of Circa Now, and this was such a great follow up. This band gives some of the best live performances I've ever witnessed and this album really captures the power and energy those live sets deliver.

Had a great time with this one. Maybe it's the heavy diet of Less Than Jake I grew up on but there isn't much music can't be made better with horns

Puur genieten

Straight out of 1995. Good jams.

This was such a delightful surprise. Really enjoyed this one. Going to check out more from them for sure.

Perfect! I like this 'noise'!

I e heard of this band, but this is the first time I’m listening to them. I think I was expecting more psychobilly, but this is 90s rock with some horns in there. I dig these guys. Great album. I want to check out more of their stuff now.

this was cool ... just like its name?

Chaotic punk glory

This is my second time with this album, and it really connected with me this time. Reminds me a lot of Less Than Jake, whom I will always love. Very fun album to come back to. Favorite track: On a Rope

I absolutely love this album and band and the main mind behind it, John Reis. The riffs are powerful but also "groove" in the way old rock and roll does. The lyrics and vocal style is fun and hooky. And this is one of the first bands to ever show me that you could have horns in a rock band without it sounding like "ska" (the latter being a genre I've always dislike). Overall, critically, I might give this 4 stars, but it is 5 stars for me all the way.

Solid Stuff

I love it! Super rocky, a bit like an angry Eve 6. Listened to non-stop for days.

Didn't know those guys, that shit is dope

Molt guapo 5/5

I get the criticism about it feeling slightly held back, but this is still a super album. I really enjoyed Drop Out, Ball Lightning, Heater Hands, and Misbeaten. One of those where you maybe have to be in the right mood to listen. Hovering between a 4 and 5, but I was in the right mood to listen. Punk music should sound "loud", and this does.

A thrill ride, like a rickety wooden rollercoaster hurtling at speed; driving rhythm section, stabbing horns, charismatic frontman; slick back you hair, rev up your motorcycle, pull on your leathers. Rock music like it should be done - get in, get out fast, look good whilst you do it.

Lang geleden dat er nog een verrassing te boven kwam. Deed me ook wat denken dat The Hives hier wat mosterd haalden

Oooh cover me in spazjazz and tickle my arse. We have a winner. Can I be unmasked? Will we ever know?

Excellent.

A little one note tbh but between Born in 69 and On a Rope, they've made a classic

This album is fuckin’ FUN. Solid punk rock with some ska flavor sprinkled in to keep it interesting, I’d never heard of this band before and I’m glad I have now.

Fun, awesome punk rock. Really nice guitar riffs throughout and great instrumentals in general. I love the energy, it just goes and goes but without becoming same-y. I look forward to listening to more from this band soon.

This is NOT what I assumed from the name and album art! I love that so many different songs remind me of other bands I like, but never all at once? One song sounds like Morphine, one song sounds like Sponge, one song sounds like Arctic Monkeys, Rancid, etc. On a Rope is an all-time great.

Very uplifting and energetic but also artful if you stop to listen more carefully. The lyrics don't really matter. There is even a song involving lightning (can you guess which other song about lighting I am thinking of)?

Blast back from the 90’s forgot how much I loved these guys at the time. Ball lightening very foo fighters - on a rope -classic!

Summer of 69 and On a Rope don't get old. Love the horn section. It's a blast. Come see Come saw is basically Jumping Jack Flash, but hey the whole album is a gas gas gas.

Wow! I was not expecting a RFTC album to be on the list. I love the band as well as all things John "Speedo" Reis. I didn't know they got a lot of love outside of the punk scene. Anyway, this album is just rock n roll goodness. Very catchy, very fun. And those horns are just a cherry on top. You know when I was a young man I wondered if RFTC were a ska band. Ah, to be that naive again. This is probably a 4-4.5 max if I'm being honest but it gets a 5 for being so damn fun on this beautiful June day and for the overall career of the band.

Rocket From the Crypt should have been huge. A punk rock band that thought they were a Stax soul revue. Scream, Dracula, Scream may be their best. Their major label debut is a very impressive, creative endeavor.

excelente!! it was very moody and energetic

meh

There’s something about this that I really like and I can’t figure it out

Loved the singles from this at the time, but I never had the album. They were so different to everyone else at the time, the kind of rock and roll Primal Scream road tripped, but with a hint of ska. Loses a bit of momentum after the first three tracks, but still one-of-a-kind.

Class record

Absolute rock and roll bliss, incredible energy, felt like I wanted to run a marathon and punch something at the same time

How has it taken me 35 years to become a fan of these guys? Right up my alley!!

It's kinda retarded I had never listened to this before. Good stuff

By far the best album on the list so far. Fell off a bit for me at the very end, but very solid throughout. Plus if its good enough for Yo, Gabba Gabba! Its good enough for me.

Why did I love this

Best finding so far... Imo

Fun fact: these guys wrote a song for yo Gabba gabba. I knew a few songs from this album in advance - on a rope, dropout, and used. Listening to the whole thing, those songs are still the standouts, but the whole album has an energy that I love - specifically how the rhythm section drives it and is bolstered by the horns throughout. Bass clef represent! I love how the horns blend into the background at times, but add richness to the low tones. I’m probably being a star too generous, but I gotta respect when an album makes me move around and gets me amped!

Strange mix of rockabilly music and instrumentation with vocals that tended towards metal.

After some crappy albums I couldn't connect with, we get this one, which I absolutely adored. Such great energy! I feel like this album doesn't deserve to be on the list- but it is an absolute classic in my opinion "Used" was a really standout track.

I would have been 21 when this came out, but I've never heard of it. It's hard rock with some punk vibe. Wikipedia has "hardcore punk" as a genre. I don't know if I'd go that far. The vocalist has a screamy voice, so maybe that's it. It was fun, maybe not amazing. Could have used a couple of guitar solos in my opinion. I am putting it on this list to hear again.

One of the pleasant surprises from this list, never heard of the band in my life and expected it to be crap based on the cover art of what looks like Word Art next to a GettyImages photo of a scorpion. Don't judge an album by it's cover, i suppose Not far off giving this 5* but I'm not a massive fan of the vocals, and a bit of pacing would help. Really love the energy and spirit though, it's a riot for its running time. The inclusion of brass in some tracks give it a bit of a ska-feel and reminds me of something like Reel Big Fish.

Really liked it.

I’m honestly surprised this album slipped through the cracks for me back in the ’90s. It’s a perfect mix of punk, garage rock, and some excellent trumpet and saxophone work. Just to be clear, this isn’t ska—the core rhythm is driven by straightforward punk and rock beats, not the offbeat “skank” rhythm typical of ska. The horns here are more of a rock embellishment, adding flair without taking over. Overall, the album is raw, gritty, and energetic, but it’s also light and easy to digest. It has plenty of catchy hooks that stick with you.

Rocket from the crypt: Rips and roars, hoots and hollers, but in the end it seems a decent bit more noise than heat or light. Likably raffish and the commitment to brevity is wholly commendable. The nice-touch horns and here-and-there harmonies do not prove ultimately redemptive. “Young Livers” and “Used” are best cuts, and the second half of the record seems better than first. Though a little later and more polished, this sounds like an apotheosis of a certain wild, grit-centric style and rockabilly-inflected strain of indie rock circa late-’80s to mid-’90s reminiscent of Dash Riprock and Fetchin Bones among other lesser known practitioners and maybe Superchunk and Smithereens among the more polished and popular. Rounding up because one misses those days and was inspired to go down some rabbit holes.

top album...

RFTC was a criminally underrated band, deserving the same attention that was given to other Punk bands of the early 90's like Green Day, The Offspring, and Rancid. This album, however, was the beginning of their slide towards total obscurity. "Circa Now!" would have been a much better choice for this list. The move to a major label for this record did them no favors. They became lost in mess of Ska-Punk bands (even though they themselves were not Ska-Punk, but simply a Punk band with horns) whose greatest achievements were features in Tony Hawk video games. A half-star is taken away because the name of the band is a confusion-inducing reference to Cleveland's Proto-Punk band, Rocket From The Tombs.

If I was still 16, still heavily into the punk scene and still taking most of my cues about ✨good tastes✨ from the older hardcore kids and record store clerks and the back of Alternative Press, I would’ve stumbled upon this moderately popular album and never shut the fuck up about how it’s an underrated masterpiece that should be appreciated on the level of Punk in Drublic or …And Out Come the Wolves. Hell, I probably would’ve even had less tact and said it’s better than Enema or Dookie. And honestly, it’s shocking that I didn’t come into contact with Rocket From The Crypt earlier, given the Angels and Airwaves *and* Drive Like Jehu connections, but then again, I was the kind of girl who said dumb shit like, “No Doubt is better than Op Ivy.” Because I lacked tact, because I was 16, and because I never really understood the appeal of ska. There’s a ton to love about Scream, Dracula, Scream!, even if it’s not really on the level of a ✨true✨ punk classic. First off, the drums are goddamn flawless, and have such a nuanced feel to them; what sounds like just a basic bass-snare 1-2 with hard cymbal hits actually has some really smart yet not-distracting fills, and the drums overall are really balanced in the mix. The same actually goes for the guitar playing, which crams in a lot of chords without feeling like it’s constantly shifting, and it feels less punk and more classic rock. It helps a ton that this is really well-produced, and I picked up a lot of the details after multiple listens. Mix that in with the light-touch of a horn section to ska it up just a smidge, and the gritty vocal energy, and there’s a lot to love about this record, and Rocket From the Crypt in general. There are a few glaring issues, though. For one, Scream, Dracula, Scream! goes on for wayyyy too long. 14 tracks is a lot for punk album that isn’t a pure hardcore, in-and-out-in-17-minutes thing. It would benefit a ton from a trimming. Nothing massive, just like, a song here and there. The two worst tracks I think are towards the backend, “Misbeaten” and “Salt Future,” but I also think there’s a good amount of “decent, not special” songs like “Young Lives,” “Burnt Alive,” and “Fat Lip” that could be considered for the cut. But even with a bit off the sides and a straightened neckline, I don’t know if I’d say this is a masterpiece. Rocket From The Crypt can write very good songs, and have some clear hooks throughout this record, but none of them ever reach that truly transcendent level of so many pop-punk hits. Especially when those hooks are eclectically buried outside of a chorus, and are something more a riff tangent, bass line, or horn line. And while the production *is* great, it’s also very ‘90s, pushing the red and chaotically overwhelming your ears. Even though I ended up overall enjoying Scream, Dracula, Scream!, it’s still one of those records where I can envision a better version of what could be: more refined, more essential, more impactful, more hard-hitting. That doesn’t mean it’s lacking any of those things, just that they’re at a strong 7, a light 8, racking up points but never delivering a KO. And sure, a TKO counts, but it’s not as bombastic as it could be, y’know? Rocket From the Crypt crosses the finish line with a positive score from me, but I’m also very much the target audience here. I can look past its flaws. I’m not 16, though, so even though I like it, I get that’s a ✨me✨ thing specifically; I won’t sit here and argue it’s an underrated masterpiece. It’s pretty great for what it is, and I’m glad that *I* personally heard it before I die, but there’s so many other punk-esque albums from this era that are more deserving of a spot that I can’t in good faith say it belongs in the pantheon of essential punk records. But if this type of stuff is typically your jam, you’ll definitely be receptive to this.

I have heard two songs from this album from Rocket from the Crypt before. What I did not know before is that frontman John Reis founded this band and Drive Like Jehu at the same time. I already enjoyed Yank Crime from the latter on this journey, though I did temper my expectations here from my understanding that these are two different kinds of punk bands. Where Drive Like Jehu was a post-hardcore outfit with visceral lyrics and complex rhythmic structures, Rocket from the Crypt is the more straightforward "party-vibe" punk band with angsty lyrics, popping guitar riffs, big hooks, and liberal use of horns. I can see why these guys toured with Rancid back in the day. Also like with Rancid, this album goes on longer than it should. I started feeling the length around "Misbeaten", track 10 of 14. That track and a couple of others would have been better left on the cutting room floor. Still, I had a pleasant time with Scream, Dracula, Scream! It's a nice party album to have on during the day and gets a solid recommendation.

fire

Enjoyed this a lot more than I expected to! Great, high energy songs. Some interesting riffs and some unique sounds on a few songs.

I've heard of this band but never listened. This was a very fun version of a genre that can very easily become super cringe worthy. I kind of wish that I'd discovered this at 15 because I would've been obsessed. As I am now this was borderline 3/4 but I will go with a 4 for generosity.

Super good! I just finished the book Sellout that looks into the rise of punk bands signing to major labels in the mid 90s to early 00s. Rocket doesn’t get their own chapter, but they do get name checked quite a bit. This might not have been a huge band, but they were very influential to the movement.

Bastante divertido. Buen disco para poner por las mañanas y agarrar buena y potente pila. Me gustaron sus arreglos trompetosos, le dan una onda padre.

this album is terrific. It’s got all you want from a punk rock record: the attitude, the raw guitar riffs, the high energy tempo. And they give you a bonus horn section https://open.substack.com/pub/richcain/p/project-1001-scream-dracula-scream?r=4ztyq&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web

Non male!

lepší, než jsem čekal, hudebně o něco předběhlo svou dobu, přitom referencuje starší punkové počiny, nepoužitý soundtrack pro Flatout 2

pre: I owned Circa: Now! at one point, back in the days where a CD purchase was a big deal and you sometimes bought blind. I wanted to like this band more than I actually did. The only song I remember liking at the time was Hippy Dippy Do, which is basically a novelty song. Looking forward to seeing if I like this album more I don't know when but I've definitely heard On A Rope before. This should be a 5 star album for me based on genre and content. There's just something about these guys that are slightly too try-hard. One too many guitar? Too many harmonies/bv for the genre? Some of the back half of this album has early QOTSA vibes, in particular You Think I Ain't Worth A Dollar... keeps popping into my head. It's definitely not as good though. I'm so puzzled by this album. It should be up my alley but it's not. Even weirder, there are definite similarities between this album and the s/t album by Dig which is one of my guilty pleasure albums. Shrug. The heart wants what it wants I guess 3.5, a mixture of neutral and I might listen to this again

Wow, I knew of them, but didn’t know them. I really liked this album. Will definitely have to listen to more of their catalog. Very nice, pre/early punk, I’m a fan.

These guys are great!

This ... isn't goth? I was not expecting a punk/hard rock band from that band name and album title. There's a horn section? Huh. Interesting. I guess "Born in 69" does sound like it could be part of the Buffy the Vampire Slayer soundtrack. I've never heard of this band in my life, which I've come to expect from Dimery's list. But for once I'm actually kind of surprised they didn't make a bigger splash in the US. It's very catchy and high energy, and I'm not quite sure why US audiences wouldn't be into them. Maybe it's just my own ignorance in not knowing them despite them supporting bands I did listen to, like Offspring and Rancid, but I have zero memory of these guys existing. At times this album sounds like a harder version of the ska bands that were popular at the time (Mighty Mighty Bosstones, Reel Big Fish, Save Ferris, even No Doubt). At other points they seem ahead of their time in that they sound a lot like the bands that became popular in the early 200s — Fall Out Boy, Pan!c at the Disco, My Chemical Romance, etc. There's also a bit of Elvis Costello, Tom Petty, and Pogues here. Maybe that's why they weren't bigger in the US — they're a little hard to categorize, and marketers might not have known what to do with them. Maybe if this album had come out a few years later it could've fit in better with bands like Lit, who they also remind me of. This is a fun album. The singer's voice sometimes teeters on the edge of grating, but there are enough harmonies and big melodic instrumentals to buffer it. It can be hard to make out the lyrics sometimes, so I can't comment too much on the songwriting without doing a deeper dive (lines like "It's all fine/why you crying/want some cheese with your whine" on Ball Lightning are a little cringe, but not the worst I've ever heard). But I don't think the lyrics are supposed to be the focus here. it's all about the high-octane music. And it definitely has that in spades. Wait, this is the same guy from Drive Like Jehu?? I haaaaated that album. This is so much better that it's honestly a little shocking that one dude is responsible for both. The album does start to lag in the middle. The songs blur together some with the same punk-beat drum part and heavy power chords in every song. The horn sections are more varied, but even they get a little samey since you come to expect one in each song. I'm not entirely convinced this album should be on this list, but at the same time I'm not that mad about it. It's a good album I wasn't aware of, and though they bear a resemblance to quite a few bands, there is something that feels different about them. They're kind of a pastiche of a lot of different styles, but it works. I don't know if this is an essential album that I needed to hear, but I'm glad I heard it. I'll give it a 4/5 but it's probably a 3.75.

W zasadzie to mi się całkiem podobało, ale jest jednak dosyć jednostajne. Na pewno na plus względem niektórych albumów na tej liście. Głos wokalisty nieco płaczliwy niestety co może męczyć pod koniec płyty. 4/5

Off the bat, the instrumentation on this is really interesting: a stereotypical rock band, but also a brass section and some other miscellaneous instruments that show up on individual songs. Even though their musical formula doesn't change much, I'm still slightly surprised every time the brass section pops up in a song, and I'm occasionally searching to find them, keeping me engaged in even some of the worse songs on the album. This would have been awesome to see live which, based on the Wikipedia excerpt, sounds like it's part of the reason it shows up on this list: the fame/excitement from their live performances and on-stage antics. I honestly really enjoyed the album, and wasn't really expecting much. Favorite Song(s): Born in '69, On a Rope, Salt Future

This is radical! This is what the punk resurgence that Green Day thinks they are should really sound like.

Hyvää punkkia. Sopivasti pop, muttei kuitenkaan ihan pop punk. On kyllä iskeviä kappaleita. Paehaat: On A Rope, Fat Lip, Born In 69

I should assume that I love punk rock when accompanied by a saxophone(?!)

Good rocky stuffs!