Hippos of Doom "Road Trip EP" Review

Do you remember when pop punk didn't suck? Remember when it was just fun to jump up and down to songs about girls, parties, and pranks? I know, I know, it's been a long time but there was the moment when we didn't hide our Blink 182, MxPx, and The Offspring CDs under our beds. We enjoyed them because they wrote about life for those of us who didn't grow up on the streets but still needed to rebel. It was nice to know that sometimes being goofy is the best rebellion to a world that takes everything so damn seriously.

Enter Hippos of Doom. Yes that is right. These are the hippos with guns that you see in your dreams after a night of binge pizza eating. Okay, maybe that's just me but you gotta love the name. The Hippos bring their melodious, fun, at times poignant brand of punk to you, for free on their debut EP Road Trip. If all goes well you can get the free EP here on Indie Vision music.

The Hippos of Doom come from the West Coast and blend fast guitars, thundering drums, and angsty vocals. This EP is a fun little jaunt down memory lane that transports you back to Warp Tour '99. This short EP, brought to you courtesy of Thumperpunk Records, does not boast a song longer than 2:45 and is guaranteed to get you tappin' your foot and playing drums on your steering wheel.

The Hippos are unabashedly Christian but it doesn't really feel oppressive on the album. Wool Brigrade and Judge Not are the two strongest tracks on the record and they are the most “Christian.” They are open, honest, but not disingenuous. It doesn't feel forced. It doesn't sound like some of the old Tooth&Nail alum that would say, “Crap, we got to put a Jesus song on this record or we won't make it to Creation Fest!”

Over all, I would say this EP is beyond worth the minimal space it will take up on your hard drive and it is 15 minutes well spent. I only hope that the full length comes out soon!

Happy listening!

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The Old-Timers: Soli Deo Gloria Review

The Old-Timers- Soli Deo Gloria

            Fourteen songs, twenty-four and a half minutes. I haven’t picked up a punk record in a while that had an average of less then two minutes per song. The Old Timers’ disc Soli Deo Gloria is a powerhouse of hardcore punk reminiscent of Minor Threat, and The Business. This angst-ridden album reminds me why I got into punk in the first place.

            The crunchy guitars and fast drums are a great companion to the screaming Scottish tinged vocals. The lyrics leave no one safe. The Old-Timers are mad at self-righteous religious folks, poverty, the government, and culture at large. Unlike most bands that just bitch and complain The Old-Timers offer a solution and that solution is Jesus Christ.

            Now stop right there. I know what a lot of you punks are thinking. Yes, listening to a lot of Christian Punk is like getting stuck behind the school bus on your morning commute, “Oh, for cryin’ out loud! Can’t we just be done with this?” I assure you, this is not the case for Soli Deo Gloria. Not often does a Christian punk (dang near, Oi!) band actually have the chops to be able to pull off a record that can be enjoyed by more than just pastor’s kids looking for a way to piss off mom and dad.

            The album’s “Intro” drives it right home that this will be a fast paced, circle pit, punch in the face record. On top of that it leaves nothing to the imagination as far as the lyrics go: “We’re the Old-Timers pressing on/longing for the day we go home/ Holy, Holy, Holy, worshiping the Ancient of Days.”

            This bleeds well into the pro-Jesus, anti-religion track “Adoni’s Agape” which then transitions perfectly into “This City” which leaves nobody unscathed. For the rest of the album they pick apart everything from how we rebel, to how positive thinking isn't enough, and of course how we all need a little more circle pit in our daily lives.

             This band believes that Jesus is the answer to all of societies problems just as much as Bad Religion thinks He is the cause. It is no preaches no more about Jesus then the Dropkick Murphys preach about the plight of the working man. It rails hard against religious hypocrisy and governmental and social negligence. There is no lack of confidence in this band. They take full control of the medium and the message. There is no doubt that they are true punkers but more importantly true Christ followers.

            I give Soli Deo Gloria a solid 8 out of 10. This is a great introduction to these South African punk rockers. You can pick it up at their label, ThumperPunk Records.  

The O.C. Supertones- For the Glory Review

The O.C. Supertones- For The Glory

            When you buy an O.C. Supertones CD you don’t need to look much past the case to know what you’re getting yourself into. A quick look at the pictures of the band let you know that you’re buying a fun ska album and a cursory look at the track list let’s you know the O.C. Supertones love Jesus. The band has been on hiatus since 2005 and this record is the product of a 2010 reunion tour that showed that people are still picking up what they are putting down.

            With For the Glory the Supertones bring their fun flavor of West Coast Ska/surf/punk that they've been rocking since the mid 1990s. I know, most of you are probably thinking, “Ska? Really?” And the answer is yes, really! This is a great follow up to 2004’s Revenge of the O.C. Supertones, which was their last record of all new/original music.

            The album starts out with the fun, upstroke and horn heavy “All the Way Alive.” This first song leaves no question that this album is a fun dance party for Sunday School rejects. They even poke fun at themselves with the opening line “…I’m so old school that I’m fresh again…”

            They keep the tempo up with the title track “For the Glory” and “Hey, hey, hey” before they dip into the little acoustic reggae number, “Far More Beautiful.” “Down to the River,” “Warmth of the Sun” and the closing “The Wise and the Fool” are all fairly low key and acoustic which makes the album drag a little in places, but it shows a nice maturity for these old Rude Boys.

            I have to say my favorite track is “It’s a Good Day to Be from California.” It’s a bit of a biographical song and it really has the West Coast feel that makes you just want to cruise around town with the top down and the music blaring.

            The focus stays on Jesus throughout all the songs but it doesn't feel super heavy. The Supertones are well known for their love of God and people. They are unabashed about their faith but it doesn't feel pushy. It’s just honest, fun, ska, about what they care most about which is God, family, and friends.

            I know a lot of people that are sensitive about religion would say that this record is for Christian’s only. I disagree. If you’re looking for a fun ska record that will have you dancing around your kitchen then here you go.  

           

            Over all I give this album a 7 out of 10. On another note, if the band shows up in your town, go see them. Their live show is always a solid 10 out of 10!

Album Review: Toil by Flatfoot 56

Flatfoot 56’s new record Toil is exactly what you’d want as the fourth record of a respectable Celtic punk band. If you’ve been following the band since day one, or at least the first album, I suspect you’ll be happy with the musical evolution and lyrical growth of our Windy City brothers.

What’s the first thing you want to hear when you put on a Celtic punk record? Yah, that’s right, bagpipes. “Brother, Brother” starts the record off in perfect Flatfoot style. It’s a bagpipe introed, hardcore tune that is about a drug addict friend and the path he’s chosen. It even has a little hardcore vocal visit from the younger Banwinkle brother. This is the first time since Knuckles Up that the boys started an anthem, call to arms type song and not a short intro song. While the intros on Jungle of the Midwest Sea and Black Thorn were good I’m glad they went back to their roots on this one.

The new single “I Believe it” is a strong song that reminds us what we like about the Flatfoot boys. It’s nice to see a bunch of fun loving, rough and tumble guys who are nice, thoughtful, and okay to bring around your grandmother.

The rest of the album will get you air drumming in your car or cubicle.

The songwriting maturity of Toil is showcased in the title track. “Toil” is a slow building, rebellious, passionate song that is written by and for those of us who work night and day and night to feed those people that go home early.
“6 10” is a fun little story about talking to somebody a lot bigger than you and squeaks out a fun little moral (“why are little people always so bold?”) and “Winter in Chicago” is so catchy you’ll hear it in your dreams. And for all you fans of the Flatfoot live show you’ll get your feet stompin’ on the last track with the crowd favorite “I’ll Fly Away” which has been on their set list for years.
Tobin and Co. are coming out with some great little tunes that strike a chord. If you’re a long time fan like me not only will this CD make you listen to it over and over again but it will remind you why you love their other stuff too.

The rest of the album is solid and worth a listen then a relisten. The band passed around the mic for vocals, there is plenty of crunchy guitars, mandolin, and bagpipes. If you aren’t up and dancin’ then your feet are broken. If listening doesn’t make you want to start a circle pit in the breakroom at work then I suggest you check your pulse!
Start with an anthem and end with a hymn. There was nothing missing from this record except the sweat and comradery from one of their circle pits!

Keep it up boys!

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