CD Review: Flatfoot 56 – Black Thorn

Artist: Flatfoot 56
Title: Black Thorn
Album Length: 13 tracks
Release Date: 03.30.2010
Label: Old Shoe Records

This March, Chicago-based Oi! Punk band Flatfoot 56 is set to release their first full-length album under Old Shoe Records titled Black Thorn.

An intro entitled “The Escape” influences the tone of the album with an offer of departure from the folly of every day life. According to the Celts, the blackthorn tree approaches faith and strife. With a premonition of future challenges that are deemed to be improved following said combat, it is apparent that freedom is the message of this album.

While the phrase Oi! Punk, or Celtic Punk, may not particularly sound pleasing to the ear and bag pipes and red-bearded men in kilts may be the first thing that comes to mind, I ask you to close your eyes and envision with me. Think of Mel Gibson in all his glory with his blue painted army, feel the independence of this warrior and the beating of his heart as he fights for what he believes in and you might just have a taste of what is to come on this album.

Flawlessly introducing the album, the Celtic roots of the band shine through on the opening track “Black Thorn.” The clean and clear vocals of Tobin Bawinkel are laid over bagpipes and guitars which allow the listener to fully experience how effectively the band utilizes their sound.

There are plenty of selections on this album that rile you up with their fast and ceaseless delivery; however, it is the electric-paced pummeling found in tracks “Stampede” and fairytale-inspired “Smoke Blower” that truly set this album apart.

Another example of an offering that sets this album apart can be found in “Courage.” From the moment the guitars gush from your speakers you are taken away by this anthem-inspired ballad. While it is not as rattled as “Stampede” or as catchy as “Smoke Blower” the intensity still manages to drip from the lyrics.

While I wish this album was completely filled with hard-edge lyrics and driving instruments, there was sadly a few that belly-flopped. The uninteresting and repetitive sound of “We Grow Stronger” falls a bit short for me following the prodigious opening of the album. While at its worst, the song is still a good offering, unfortunately it never really managed to latch on to me.

Taking a shot at soft with more of a romantic flow in a few selections, Flatfoot 56 manages to hit and miss the mark on Black Thorn. While “You Won Me Over” doesn’t necessarily slow the album down, the monotone vocals and relentless instruments shine dull.

 Offering a taste of old-world charm and picturesque utopia “Shiny Eyes” manages to do everything that “You Won Me Over” could not. The smooth vocals are engaging and a nice departure from the emphatic tone of the compilation.

Black Thorn continues to feature the rare punk rock vibes and Celtic instruments that have become the staple of Flatfoot 56 over the years. However this album seems to climb over any offering before and truly showcases how powerful the band can be when they put their minds and bagpipes to it.

 

CD Review: Slow Club – Yeah, So

On Mar. 30, The English Duo, Slow Club, will be releasing their first full-length album, Yeah, So on Moshi-Moshi Records. With folk-rock and almost blue-grass musical arrangements, this selection of tracks showcases a unique take on a rock’n’roll duo.

The overall sound of Slow Club is characterized by a brilliant simplicity that focuses on basic rhythms and beats coupled by unusual love-filled lyrics.

The unconventional love story of “When I Go” makes a perfect introduction to the album. With bottle caps substituting as percussions, this track combines sweet lyrics and old-fashion acoustic guitar with a new-age message on friendship and love.

Filled with a wonderful selection of intoxicated tracks such as “Giving up on Love” and conversationally arranged “Because we’re Dead” this album rallies your heart and feet to spin in circles and sway your arms in the air to the beat of its whimsical tunes.

The overall declaration of the messiness of love shines bright on this album and takes on an electrifying tone in the song, “It Doesn’t Have to be Beautiful.” The fast-paced lyrics “because there’s nothing worse than somebody pretending away” fly off the tongues of the singing duo and take an honest look on how un-Hollywood real life relationships are.

Almost as perfectly coupled as the harmonizing vocals of singers Charles Watson and Rebecca Taylor, Yeah, So compliments its cutesy and upbeat numbers with a illuminating selection of melancholy tunes suited for any love affair.

Slowing down the arrangement of “I Was Unconscious, It Was a Dream” to a humble arrangement allows the listener to take in the innocence of what makes this group gleam.

A slow and soft acoustic guitar is all that accompanies the vocals until a loud electric guitar and sparingly used percussion breaks through the track. An overall favorite of mine from the album, “I Was Unconscious, It Was a Dream” takes an almost raw approach to the ballad and lures you into the bold lyrics.

Complete with a collection of five bonus track including “Christmas TV” which was used in the season 2 finale of NBC’s Chuck. Yeah, So finds an simplicity in the luster of the honest lyrics and basic instrumentations. The understated sound of this album would be a gem in any CD collection.

For a free download of their song “It Doesn’t Have to be Beautiful” visit  www.shadylittleroad.com - Your online source for music reviews