It’s been a good year for Red Scare Industries. And it’s about to get better.
In addition to solid releases from OC Hardcore punks Vultures United, pop-punkers the Menzingers, who are currently traveling the country with The Gaslight Anthem and later Anti-Flag, and a split from Smoke or Fire’s Joe McMahon and The Lawrence Arms’ Brendan Kelly, the label is gearing up to release The Brokedowns "Species Bender," The band's first proper LP since 2007’s “New Brains For Everybody.”
For fans of the label, “beard-punk,” or punk rock in general, this album is a must-have.
The four piece from Chicago, described in their press release as “a bunch of hypercritical, super smart a******* that want nothing more than to drive home how stupid all of the media-saturated global village b****** really, truly is” deliver thirteen punk-driven tracks in just twenty six minutes. Isn’t that what you want from punk rock?
With a sound that falls somewhere between Dillinger Four, Off With Their Heads and Leatherface, “Species Bender” is in many ways a public service announcement...with guitars (okay, I’ve always wanted to incorporate that into an article). But seriously, with most songs dealing with media saturation and celebrity-worship, it very much is a wake-up call.
Take the track “Apocalypse Seaside Heights” for example, a clever attack on the popular-yet-alarmingly scary MTV show “Jersey Shore.” Or “Celebrity Death Panel,” which deals with societies fixation with…well…the title explains it all.
However, not every song deals with the media. In fact, the two best tracks, “This Cult is a Bummer,” which contains lyrics like “I see a soft man stuck in a dull life cutting down scenery just ‘cause it feels right,” and “to watch all the others in flames that keeps you stuck in one place,” and “Done With Funk” concentrate on life and the subconscious fixation on death.
If you’re a fan of Dillinger Four, No Idea Records, or good, articulate punk rock, than The Brokedowns “Species Bender” is right up your alley. Red Scare Industries continues to release quality album after quality album and “Species Bender” is no different.
("Species Bender" is released on September 14th. For more info on The Brokedowns, click here)
Comments
Kris from the Brokedowns loves Jersey Shore. Just sayin'.
******* ****** ****** **************** ****
fag.
I totally buy Kombucha a couple times a week and I loves the 'Downs.
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