MaximumRockNRoll:
I gave this band a not-so-good review a while back and was accused by a friend of being too harsh. He had seen them live and thought they were good, and how could I be so mean to them, they're just kids? If this was the music he heard, I can understand why he felt that way. Where the first record was stiff, awkward, two chorded crap, this one shows a lot more skill at songwriting and playing their instruments. The style is JAWBREAKER meets SONIC YOUTH, but I like hardcore, too. This is a perfect example of why bands should get their acts together before submitting stuff for review. (DP)
Suburban Voice:
The first full-length from this young band and adding an emo-core and increasing melodicism to their hardcore punk sound. The vocals remain a raspy whine (but not whiny .. you follow?), pouring out the angst and it's backed up by a frazzled, burning energy. Hitting a nice groove for the last song, "Matilda, Who Told Lies and was Burned to Death." The booklet, instead of lyrics, includes a series of writings and artwork, one by aaron cometbus from 1992 that accurately predicted that government authorities would readily use force on non-violent protesters. There are still some growing pains here, but The Jocks continue their evolution as a band.
Hobby Broadcasting:
This starts off sounding like Gorilla Biscuits, then turns into more emocore, and later sounds more like plain, mid-tempo emo (of course they stick in the hardcore "Just Take This Pill" to try to keep reviewers honest.) It has a pretty nice booklet, but no lyrics. Too bad, because song titles like "Let's Form a Giant Army" and "Mathilda, Who Told Lies and Was Burned to Death" make me curious.
Shredding Paper:
Youngsters from the SF Bay Area, this is their second CD release, and their age (they are maybe at that ripe old age of 17 now) is starting to show; they actually sound like they are learning to write songs! And good ones at that. Kids that are pissed off at the world around them, songs full of solid punk angst and complete rage at the world around them, but the songs now have more melodic structure to them. They are twice as punk as I was at that stage in my life, and now are learning to express themselves in a more accessible way. If you like your punk raw, crude, and rude, then this is for you.
-Steve
Motion Sickness:
I like this release a lot, but I'm struggling for the comparisons. They're all over the place style-wise, sometimes within the same song. It's basically melodic emo-ish punk occasionally with strained, screaming vocals and has faster hardcore moments as well. The production is good, but by no means Epi-Fatish, which would probably only work against this band and their songs. I hear Econochrist, early jawbreaker, early Bad Religion, and maybe even Christ on a Crutch in their music. Hard to imagine, isn't it? I agree, but that is what I hear in these 11 songs. New Disorder has done this to me before with bands like the Enemies or The Cost, neither of whom I can compare easily, but still dig. Although I can't give solid, easy reference points, I give it an 8 out of 10 for both its originality and energy level.
Spank:
This San Francisco band is very underrated. They abound with an underlying youthful energy that reminds me of Bay Area cohorts, the Cost. On The Top Three..., the Jocks sputter through their songs with a discordant guitar buzz and thrown-together structure that act as a roadblock to the dual vocals. No one song stands out here; the tumbling rhythms intertwine with stressed guitars in an almost painstaking fashion. Solid as hell.
James Leste:
I think this album is the shit! every song on it is good.
these guys definetely know how to rock it!
James
chungo:
i would agree
chuck:
so good they make your eyes water. they are fun .buy it .
Todd:
This album is great. It is really different than the time machine ep in a good way. The backup singer adds a cool touch. Really good guitar
chloe:
YAY JOCKS buy it!!
yitzy:
ya gotta have this, its really great, woopie.