Capsule reviews

The Briggs – “Back To Higher Ground” (SideOneDummy)
This is the first SideOneDummy full-length from the Briggs, following up their debut EP Leaving the Ways. They sound an awful lot like Rancid, the Dropkick Murphys, and Stiff Little Fingers. Anthemic, sing-along punk rock for fist pumping and stage diving. It’s not breaking any new ground, but they do what they do well, and it’s catchy as all hell. The last track, “Don’t Care”, is an epic tune that is probably the best thing the band’s done to date.
Watch the video for “Wasting Time.”

Moire – “Public Execution” (Mind Machine)
Moire = Metal. Brutal, double kick drum, machine gun guitar, guttural vocal metal. Pure and simple stuff, with no freaky samples, no keyboards, or any of that excess bullshit. The music’s fast, furious, and designed to make you punch your nearest neighbor in the face. Maybe do a little moshing in the living room. Or car moshing… car moshing’d be super sweet with this record. Local, Kansas City bred metal that sounds a hell of a lot better than the usual crap that’s spawned from Slipknot-listening douchebags in OP.

Kottak – “Therupy” (Escapi Music)
So, Kottak is fronted by the drummer from the Scorpions and the drums are done by Tommy Lee’s sister. Needless, to say, this is not a good thing. Don’t we remember what happened when Phil Collins went solo? Yeah… singing drummers equal bad. There’s a “Green Day meets Cheap Trick” blurb sticker on the cover that is the most blatant case of false advertising I’ve ever seen. Kottak sounds nothing like either band. In fact, they’re pretty banal, craptastic rock that would have been huge ten years ago. Basically, they really want to be punk, but come off sounding more like cheesy hair metal.
Listen to “The Song That Won’t Go Away.”

The International Playboys – “Cobra Blood Hangover” (Australian Cattle God)
The finest rock ‘n’ roll ever to venture forth from Missoula, Montana. The Playboys know how to bring the trash rock ‘n’ roll. As a matter of fact, they’d be right at home with any band on Gearhead or Dead City. I could go on and on about how much this album is amazing, but you can just spin it your own damn self and see. My take on this record is that any band who shouts “Guitar!” before a solo gets ripped can do no wrong. That’s about the greatest rock ‘n’ roll cliche ever, and it still never gets old.
Download “The Life and Times of Monty Carlo“.

Bright Light Fever – “The Evening Owl” (Stolen Transmission)
Oh, the kids’ll fucking love this. A Hot Hot Heat style backing band with Killers type vocals? Dear sweet lord, if this isn’t blowing up MySpace right now, I’ll eat this review. Anyhow, Bright Light Fever sounds like a ska band that went indie dance rock (see also: the Impossibles). Granted, that’s not exactly a bad thing. They’ve got a strong sense of melody, and the songs are enjoyable as all hell. You’ll love it until the Buzz starts playing it, then you’ll disavow any knowledge of ever having played it, unless it’s to dismissively state “Well, I liked them before they were big.”
Listen to tracks on their Purevolume page.