A Punkin' Treat!
Tim Armstrong's label Hellcat Records has introduced us to many great bands, and here with Time Again this is no exception. This is straight up street punk from LA written straight from the preaching bible of Rancid. Fast and aggressive, but catchy and musical, with deep lyrical content whilst still boasting attitude - this is what music should be all about!
The opener, 'Junkies' is a short-sharp blast of punk bordering on hardcore, as is 'Criminals'. What sets them apart from other great bands from this genre is the quality of songs. 'Broken Bodies' is ballsy, with singer Daniel Dart's raspy vocals giving that extra gritty edge, but it's with the catchy-as-hell anthem of 'Cold Concrete' that you have to tip your flat cap to them. Just one listen and you'll be hooked! With lyrics like "They said you got no rights, you're a punk // Mohawk, tattoos, kid you're fucked // you can make your phonecall // but make it in handcuffs!" it says it all. Just behind this is the magical 'The Stories Are True' which features the Godfather of Punk Tim Armstrong, who appears on just about every Hellcat release! It's a slower number in the vein of Rancid or Lars Frederiksen & The Bastards – it's brilliantly simple and memorable.
'Kenny' and 'Life On The Run' will also get in you head and refuse to leave, as you realise that Time Again are masters of the mid-tempo street/punk tune. 'Fountain And Formosa' is another Rancid sounding number which then leads us nicely to final song, 'Streetwalker' which tells the tales and hardship of being a hooker, and also deserves a special mention for the rattlesnake rattle at the beginning!
Time Again aren't totally original, but what they are is right at the top of this genre. Anyone who likes even a couple of Rancid tunes will enjoy Time Again. There are a whole crop of great bands in this genre including Left Alone, Dead Pets, Last Action Zeros, The Briggs, US Bombs, Rancid, Lars Frederiksen, The Casualties, to name but a few, but there is no doubt for me that this is the best punk album of the year. Miss it and miss a great punkin' treat!