The Pietasters “Awesome Mix tape Vol. 6” Review

The Pietasters Awesome Mix Tape Vol. 6 CD / Vinyl Cover

Ska is one of my favorite genres of music. Something just speaks to me when you mix guitars, drums, bass, and, of course, horn sections. There are so many outstanding records under that banner, but some get to be above and beyond that, becoming essential records to listen to. One of those records is the 1999 release “Awesome Mix tape Vol. 6” by the Pietasters. By the time the record was released, it was their fourth studio record. The band had gone through some shifts and turns, and would put out what would become one of my favorites overall.

The record starts a little slow, but then builds up to a good pop sense, with catchy choruses, instruments flowing like water, and vocals that are a bit raspy but still catchy overall. Aside from the stellar performances here, you’ll find that the bass guitar work stands out a lot, especially if you’re a fan of the instrument. Listen closely and you’ll hear walking bass lines, and a lot of rhythm to offset the horn-heavy, even punk-rock style moments.

“Awesome Mix tape Vol. 6” is a record meant to be listened to as a whole, as it goes through some great transitional moments. The first three tracks tell a compelling story, with love, regret, and more. “Crying Over You” is a perfect companion to “Yesterday’s Over”, and “Can’t Stand It” is good overall. Released in 1999 on Hellcat Records and produced by Bad Religion’s Brett Gurewitz, you’ll find it hard to put down “Awesome Mix Tape Vol. 6”, as it is very much a soul record as much as it is a ska record. It’s not fast, easy to listen to, and is made better with a good libation.

Do yourself a favor and buy or stream “Awesome Mix Tap Vol. 6″” by clicking here.

Screeching Weasel “My Brain Hurts” (1991) Review

Screeching Weasel My Brain Hurts cd cover from 1991

Before punk broke out into the mainstream and before many bands got airplay on the radio, a few bands were playing pop-infused punk rock, and one of them, of course, was Screeching Weasel. The boys mixed pop influences with rock and roll, giving you frenetic-paced music without losing much to vocals. With the recording of “My Brain Hurts,” you get Screeching Weasel at their finest, before all the controversies clouded the band. There’s a snarl to the vocals you don’t get with modern releases, and the band played steadily through 14 songs and nearly 30 minutes of music.

“My Brain Hurts” sometimes feels like a Ramones album, and it is a credit to the band. Playing Ramones-esque music is not as easy as it seems, especially regarding sheer numbers and longevity regarding the tracks and themes. Screeching Weasel manages to channel The Ramones, the Clash, and others from the past to create a rocking record that doesn’t get enough attention amidst the heavyweights of pop punk.

Sure, it was 1991, and the term pop punk wasn’t just thrown around swiftly, but what else can I say about a record with such a sing-along attitude, 3-chords of progression, and that classic Ramones feeling? It’s a solid record from a band that has put in a lot of work to get to where they are, even if it is sometimes just bad. “My Brain Hurts” is a genre classic that holds up very well today, as in 1991. “Making You Cry”, “Guest List”, “Veronica Hates Me”, and much more greet you with a classic Weasel sound.

Pick up the original release of “My Brain Hurts” by clicking here, sucka!

Slick Shoes “Rusty” (1997) Review

Returning to 1997, we find the pop punk world exploding with various bands. The era was full of musical talent, and Slick Shoes was one of the many bands to come out. I was first introduced to the band with their raw self-titled EP, which showcased an introduction to the punk rock act. It was raw, unfinished, with a bit of static here and there. Then came a semi-sonic shift for the band in the form of their debut record for Tooth and Nail Records, “Rusty”.

“Rusty” came out in 1997 and immediately hit the ground running, largely thanks to the fact that people bought anything Tooth and Nail released. I bought everything on the label, no matter what it was, and found joy in every single release up to a certain point in my life. Slick Shoes plays skate punk, pop punk, and straightforward punk rock with fast, frenetic guitar work and excellent attention to drumming. They are influenced by the bands you would find in the punk rock bins, and somehow find a way to stand out.

The only hindrance the band had, if any, was that the singer was underage at the time of recording and touring, and the band was stuck at times in the Christian scene. That isn’t a detriment, but it happened, and well, they had several records out before they got mainstream success. They eventually tore with Face to Face, Mxpx, and many others. “Rusty” has 16 tracks, and is 37 minutes long, with each song complementing the others in a record that has no downtime, and little to no lackluster tracks. This is a gem of a record to which you owe your time.

Feel like streaming or even playing the record on vinyl? Click here to jump into “Rusty”.

Max Roach “Drums Unlimited” (1966) Review

Max Roach performing with his drum kit during a 1960s jazz session, highlighting the artistry behind the Drums Unlimited album.

Max Roach is a name synonymous with drums. He is a great drummer, and that’s about as simple as I can put it. Fly back to 1966, and we visit a record from Roach called “Drums Unlimited”. Sometimes referred to as a “manifesto” of sound, the recording is a story-driven device that is both subtle at times and bombastic in the way it moves through production. It is more than background music, and Roach commented on that at one point. To quote Roach, “I wanted to create a concept where drums could play themes and variations like any other instrument”, which is why “Drums Unlimited” is so important overall.

At first listen, the record seems to fit well with the jazz records of the 1960s. It has a coffee house feel, and the record walks through some upbeat moments, playfully drawing on the experimentation of jazz music. You get this at the starting line with the first track, which features a drum solo, and plays as a starting point to a somewhat rhythmic recording.

The record doesn’t just sit with solo work, as the band showcases talent with the second track, clocking in over 12 minutes, presenting a steak-house quality invitation to reason with instruments. The horn section has been noted as hard bop, and players Freddie Hubbard and James Spaulding bring forward a playful nature. There are waves of sound here, including stand-up bass, piano, and of course, what we all came here to listen to, drums.

Making up the rest of the cast on “Drums Unlimited” is interesting for those who generally follow jazz music. Otherwise, you’re not going to know who these players are. These guys include Freddie Hubbard, James Spaulding, Ronnie Mathews, Jymie Merritt, and Roland Alexander. These players, above all, bring together their talents to create a memorable jazzy record.

People generally like “Drums Unlimited”, and many have noted that the drum solos and breaks are good with swinging jazz pieces to complement it all. Major review sites talk about how creative this record is, and many find it to be an essential piece to their collection, so you’re in good company if you’re eyeing this one to add or stream.

At first glance, I thought this was just background music. However, upon listening to it a bit more, I realize that this is an excellent record for tuning into instruments. Whether you like drums or just want something jazzy to dance or drink to, you’ll love how “Drums Unlimited” plays to Max Roach’s and company’s strengths.

Feel like streaming or owning this jazz gem from Max Roach? Click here to get it on the cheap.

Talib Kweli “Quality” (2002) Review

Talib Kweli thinking and just sitting around

An hour and five minutes of hip-hop is what you get when you decide to put on the debut studio record from Talib Kweli. Starting things off on “Quality” is Dave Chappelle, keynote speaker, who tells a random story with a cool soothing beat. Then, we are treated to Kweli’s rhymes. Forget what you know about the popular hip hop you’ve heard in the present, because this isn’t mumbling, it isn’t street or gangster, it’s a bit more conscious. Talib has stories to tell, from various circles of his views, and other topics that you would expect from rap’s heaviest hitters.

“Quality” is just that, it’s clarity of sound, clear vocals, clean lines, and choruses that will have you floored at times. There’s a lot to unpack from this record, and something for everyone. Whether you’re a college student trying to just mellow out with background music or you’re a hip-hop head that wants to revisit some of the best in the business, you’ll find that “Quality” features something for everyone. It has a sensibility, an honesty in the lyrical development, and an optimism, as Pitchfork magazine put it. It’s a reflection of an artist who is not just about bravado but is also a storyteller with a focus on political affirmation, social studies, and street-wise knowledge. Production from Kanye West and others makes this a must-listen to record, twenty-something years after it was initially released.

In the mood to stream or perhaps spin a vinyl? Click here and pick up this gem.

The Distillers “Sing Sing Death House” (2002) Review

Hellcat Records has put out some of my favorite albums of all time. They have consistently floored me with the quality that they have put out, and it’s interesting to see the many different arrays of options that they put forward. In 2002, while I was graduating high school, they would release “Sing Sing Death House” by the Distillers, and I fell in love with one Brody Dalle. Everyone else who saw the punk rock beauty, including Tim Armstrong of Rancid fame, did, too. Eyes closed, however, The Distillers are more than a pretty-faced fronted band, they have a strong ethos in the punk rock world, and the record proved to be just one hell of a ride.

The second studio album from the band finds them with clever production, stronger bass-heavy rhythms, and vocals that were unmatched at the time. “Sing Sing Death House” starts the punk rock quest fast and heavy with “Sick of It All”, and doesn’t let up throughout the record. I love the bass guitar on this record, and the rest of the frenetic pace just complements it so well.

So many good songs come through with this release, including the opener, then of course “I Am A Revenant”, “Sing Sing Death House”, “City of Angels”, and much more. While under 30 minutes, the band could paint a portrait of punk rock ethos and much more, within good production value and breakneck speed. One heck of an album, that’s what you get with “Sing Sing Death House”.

Stream The Distillers or buy the vinyl all by clicking here, yeah, just one click.

5 Seconds of Summer “5 Seconds of Summer” (2014) Review

I’m late to many bands, and one of the bands that I just didn’t jump into was that of 5 Seconds of Summer. I didn’t know much about them, and to be fair, didn’t think I was missing a whole lot. Then comes this blog, and I start to write, and we are here looking at the 2004 “5 Seconds of Summer” record, and it comes at you with a very polished approach overall. The opening track alone has been polished to a shine, and catchy as all hell in a way that pop punk wishes it could be all the time. With the opening anthem, the band puts you on notice that they are sweethearts, not your average punkers.

This is where the rubber hits the road, though. You’re either going to love the sweet sounds that “5 Seconds of Summer” comes through with, or you’re going to balk at the simplicity and harmony. The guys are often likened to Blink-182, and rightfully so, their guitar work at times and melodies are much like the So Cal Punk act, but with a little more polish, to a fault.

I have a hard time getting my head around all of the offerings that “5 Seconds of Summer” has to offer. It is 16 pop punk tracks that lean heavily into pop, to the point where you will think that this is a boy band. I don’t hate the record, but I also don’t remember much of it hitting me hard. It kind of washes over you like a bar of soap. Yeah, it’s effective, yeah, it’s catchy as hell, but it’s going to divide you. Turn your brain off if you’re going to put on this 2014 record. It’s an evolutionary record that will either grow on you or cause you to shake your head in disbelief. Either way, 5 Seconds of Summer was on to something with this record.

Not into streaming? Get the vinyl by clicking here.