Rancid - Indestructible
reviewed by: Maureen Benedict
It has been three years since Rancid released their second self-titled album. Now they are back with
their sixth album, Indestructible. The first single off it, called "Fall Back Down", is about wjem things
get tough you just keep going and you will making it through. The song "Arrested In Shanghai" is
about the desire to be yourself and "Memphis" is about touring and about how you forget everything
and just enjoy the time you are having. The songs "David Courtney", "Out Of Control", "Born Frustrated",
and "Otherside" are much harder compared to the rest of the album. "Back Against The Wall" has a
ska/reggae feel to it, while songs like "Stand Your Ground" and "Roadblock" sound like some of the
bands much older stuff. During the recording of the album, frontman Tim Armstrong's wife, Brody
Dalle, left himg and the song "Tropical London" was written about that. Rancid has come a long way
but they have always stayed true to punk rock. I gave this album 4 stars because they are one of the
truly amazing punk bands I have ever heard and each album they record is better than their last.
Diffuser - Making The Grade
review by: Maureen Benedict
Diffuser are back with their sophomore album, Making The Grade. The first single from the
album is "I Wonder" has recieved a lot of airplay in the past few months. The band has gained
new fans from doing amazing sets while on tour with Simple Plan and the Nokia Unwired Tour
with the All American Rejects and Hoobastank in cities across the US and Canada. The first
two songs on the album, "New High" and "Get It On" have very catchy lyrics and very upbeat
melodies. Making The Grade has to be one of the best albums I have heard all year. If you
have not heard of Diffuser before you are really missing out and I suggest you go pick up this
album.
Mest - self-titled
review by: Maureen Benedict
Chicago pop-punk band Mest returns with their fourth album which is self-titled. The new
album sounds much different, less poppy and more mature than their previous three albums.
Their first single "Jaded (These Years)", featuring Benji Madden of Good Charlotte, broke
Mest into the mainstream which gained them heavy rotation on radiostations across the
country, landed them a spot on this years Van's Warped Tour and even got them much
airplay on MTV2. Mest have come a long way in their career and people are finally starting
notice their talent. The second track on the album "Rooftops" is about how punk rock
music got them through the day and made them who they are now. "Chance Of A Lifetime"
is a very mellow song campared to the rest of the album. Things are going to get better
for Mest after this album and they are finally getting the recognition they have deserved.
This has to be their best work in their career and I highly recommend buying this album.
The Distillers - Coral Fang
review by: Maureen Benedict
Almost two years since the release of The Distillers' sophomore album Sing Sing Death
House, they release their new album Coral Fang. The bands guitar tech, Tony Bradley
joins the line-up replacing Casper Rose on guitar. Coral Fang is much different than the
bands past two albums and it seems like they are heading more towards hard rock than
punk rock now. On this album Brody sings a lot about death, blood, suicide and wombs.
Overall I still think it is a great album and is definately worth buying.