This band features members of Think I Care and Mental, and I like this better than their 7" because it rocks harder, it's more pissed off, and it's more sarcastic. The aptly titled "Can't Stop the Rock" opens up with some fucking all out blues-based rock riffs, complete with some leads, before plunging into a more rocked out form of straight hardcore punk fronted by relatively shrill vocal yells. How can you lose with song titles like "12FU", "We're Fuckin' R'N'R", or "Weak Ass Shit"? Come on, you can't buy attitude like that, kids. Another song is called "Hardcore", but it's actually really melodic and has some bright, open chords and lots of token rock 'n' roll riffs - some of which do indeed come off as sounding not too unlike a few of the cock rock bands that I've enjoyed in my day, so sue me, because I love it! "Gone" is even more melodic, and borders on being catchy as far as the music goes. Many of the songs are midpaced and walk an even line between rock and hardcore/punk, so a few are less than stellar, but there are some real winners scattered about. The recording is well mixed with everything loud and closely knit. The tones are slightly rugged but warm and natural, and I don't think I would change anything about it. It's clear enough to hear some subtleties, nothing overpowers, etc. The layout looks good. No complaints there. But the lyrics are where these cats truly shine, with plenty of sarcastic humor and pissed off attitude. Not only do they start out a song called "12FU" with the line "One, two, fuck you!" (pretty much any band that does that is cool on some level), but the perfectly titled "Weak Ass Shit" has lyrics as follows: "Whatever happened to raucous rock and roll? Quiet Riot, Poison, Cinderella, bands with fucking soul! We're bringing it back, we're trying to, if you don't like it, you can go fucking screw! Enough of this weak ass shit! I tried, but I can't take any more of it. This weak ass shit has got to go before it's all that the new kids know. Whatever happened to snotty punk? The Ramones, The Misfits before wrestling, not today's fucking junk! Whatever happened to good hardcore? The Circle Jerks and Slapshot, they don't make it like that no more..." Brilliant! You can't lose there. Hell, if you like this kind of thing it's worth it for "Weak Ass Shit" alone. I'm down.
[Manic Ride]
Running time - 25:07, Tracks: 10
[Notable tracks: Hardcore, Gone, Weak Ass Shit]
Manic Ride Records - http://www.manicriderecords.com
