I hate emo!
So once again I am lucky enough to get my hands on another top street punk album from Wilmington's finest, Left Alone. Sitting somewhere between Rancid and The Briggs, Left Alone have the catchiness and quality of the aforementioned bands whilst the addition of keyboards, which as strange as it sounds, works well.
First song, 'The Sinner' is an upbeat mid-tempo affair, but it's the next song 'City to City' which shows the bands strength with heavy keyboards and a jolly beat it's about as close to Rancid as you can get whilst still remaining original. There are no surprises that this album is released on Hellcat Records, and also that Tim Armstrong guests on this track. In the usual winning formula of a gentle verse but a catchy sing-a-long chorus, 'Every Night' is another memorable tune. We have the country-jig of 'Done Wrong' which is a little acoustic number, The Clash mixed with some country rock'n'roll. You can't help but like it! And just to show that it can still get a little more widespread with the style we have a punk song in Spanish, with guest vocals from Patricia Day from Horrorpops. I don't understand a word of it, but it's addictive enough to make me want to learn!
'Waiting For You' again has a country influence to it as it's almost a ballad with slide-guitar too, then we jump straight back into the gritty punk rock with 'Drunk Again', before we have the brilliance of 'New York City', which like 'City to City' has keyboards and chugging guitars, whilst they sing about the city they love. 'She's The One' may have a 30 second intro that sounds like it might be an instrumental from the 60's, but it turns into a jolly mid-tempo number. 'Wash Away' and 'Bastard Son' are little more of the same but with more drunken tales of misfortune.
Album title track 'Dead American Radio' is another instantly likeable track which points a cynical finger at the radio stations, but ultimately produces another good strong song. 'No one Likes Us' is a simple song, which basically repeats the title with '...we don't care!!' added to the end. Last song 'I Hate Emo' is one of those funny joke songs, that, let's admit it actually has a good serious message! It's another country jig of a song a bit like gipsy punks Gogol Bordello. The lyrics go, "I hate emo // They look like girls // and smell like caca!" You have to admit, it makes a fine argument!
So whilst the other street punk bands stick tightly to a tried and tested formula – with great success, it must be said – Left Alone aren't afraid to take a few risks with some musical cross-genre-dressing, and it's this touch of individualism that sets them apart from their contemporaries. It may be a little too experimental for some punk fans, but this is some good stuff. There are many decent street punk albums that have been released this year, and this one is right up there with the likes of The Briggs and Time Again.
MySpace: www.myspace.com/5131575
Website: www.leftalone.net