Reviews 12/21/06

O Pioneers!!!/Saw Doctors Split - Team Science Records
Maybe I'm just on a sugar high of sorts, since I got to see the O Pioneers!!! two days in a row this past weekend, but these guys are becoming one of my favorite bands. They bring more honest, folk-punk influenced screamy awesomeness to the table on this record, bringing to mind a early Hot Water Music and a young Against Me!, but that's lazy reviewing, because there really is more to this band than just that. They high energy and say what they mean. They're honest and hard working, without whoring themselves to the myspace generation. This set of songs sound better than those on "Black Mambas" and carry over the same themes. When you listen to the O Pioneers!!! you want to believe everything they say. Next time these boys come to town, give Eric a hug and some Ricolas.
The Saw Wheel side of this record has more in common with Billy Bragg or an acoustic Uncle Tupelo than Hot Water Music. This is straight up acoustic country punk. I honestly don't know anything about this band other than the fact that they write really good, honest songs. The name of this split really should have been "We're Really Nice Guys, Honestly," because I get the feeling that Saw Wheel is not unlike the O Pioneers!!! This band I think would feel just as at home at a coffee shop as they would a punk space, which would really broaden their audience. If this would have come out when I was 16, this side of the record would probably be the side my folks and I would agree on. Good stuff.

The Black Beauties - Catch a Beat - Full Breach Kicks
There isn't anything inherently offensive about these songs or even threatening, but something about this band doesn't really sit well with me. The song writting is good, the lyrics are pretty typical pop punk fair, but I just feel like I shouldn't like this. It sounds like a very polished, clean version of the Exploding Hearts, with a lot of 1950's rock structuring to the songs, but at the same time, it doesn't have the same pull or memorable hooks of either the Exploding Hearts or Bill Haley and the Comets. It's not bad, but at the same time, I'm not motivated to give it more than one or two spins. I guess what I'm saying is, I've heard it before and if you're looking for something predictable and fun, you might dig this. If you're looking for a message or something with depth, you might want to go back to your Propagandhi records.
They're on Full Breach Kicks, so chances are suburban Chicago's fashion punk gang, the Chi-Town 77's probably like this band a lot.

Beat Beat Beat - Living in the Future - Dirtnap
B3 sounds more like they're living in the past. The glorious glorious pop punk past. Borrowing sounds equally from the Clash, the Heartbreakers and Radio Birdman, they bring a lo-fi pop punk ruckus not unlike that which was brought by the Exploding Hearts. The difference is that where the Hearts were solid, technical musicians with phenominal pop hooks, Beat Beat Beat are a walking pissed off fireball. The production is is crunchy and raw, with that lovely late 70's delay on the vocals, which I think ultimately makes this record feel more timeless. Good stuff. another A+ from our pals at Dirtnap Records.