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Review |
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This four piece from Oakland, California have been
around as a band since 1995, they released their
debut album through New Disorder Records back in
1998 they then went on to release to albums though
Lookout Records and are now signed to Fat Wreck
Chords who are releasing their brand new album ‘Dear
Friends And Gentle Hearts’.
From listening to the new album by American Steel
they have just become my favourite Fat Wreck Chords
band, their new album ‘Dear Friends And
Gentle Hearts’ reminds me so much of Alkaline
Trio and The Gaslight Anthem and is so a big jump
around happy party album that is simply fantastic.
‘Dear Friends And Gentle Hearts’
is a top album running from start to finish, it
is crammed with 12 killer tracks, the tracks are
punk rock in length running for 2 to 3 minutes
each and they all have a big infectious sound
that is going to leave you singing along at the
top of your lungs.
Lead vocalist Rory Henderson sounds like he has
been to the Matt Skiba school of vocals as his
vocals are as clear, sharp and infectious of those
of Matt, in fact it both vocalists were singing
together on the same track then I am sure most
people would find it hard to pick out which vocalist
is singing which bit.
The album opens with ‘Emergency House Party’
and from that opening catchy guitar riff you know
that American Steel are here to have a good time
and to also help their fans have a good time,
as soon as Matt’s vocals come in you will
understand the Matt Skiba comparison as his vocals
here sound so much like Matt’s vocals from
back in the early days of Alkaline Trio.
‘Tear The Place Apart’ features some
great basslines which give you the feeling that
the song is going to turn into a ska number but
that sadly never happens, but instead the song
goes on a near 3minute melodic journey which happens
to be very much fun and exciting, the song is
so infectious within the first listen you will
be tapping your feet again and by the third or
fourth listen you will have clearly nailed the
lyrics and be singing along word for word.
‘Safe And Sound’ is the most interesting
song on the album as it reminds me far too much
of ‘Burn’ by Alkaline Trio, especially
when the melodic chorus comes in, it sounds so
similar to the chorus of ‘Burn’ even
though the lyrics are so different, it just features
the same groove and infectious style, what helps
make ‘Safe And Sound’ stand out from
‘Burn’ a little bit is the group band
vocals of “Woahh, Woahh”.
The new American steel album is the perfect soundtrack
to the summer, it’s so upbeat and infectious
that you could listen to it on repeat for a whole
24 hours and still not get bored of it, if you
are planning to have pool or BBQ party this year
then make sure you have a copy of ‘Dear
Friends And Gentle Hearts’ spinning in your
record player as it is sure going to be a winner
with everyone.
The only thing that I can see being against American
Steel, is that they do sound too much like Alkaline
Trio and they are slowly morphing into an Alkaline
Trio wannabe band if they like it or not and I
am sure there will be many people who don’t
like them because of this, but at the same time
you can’t hide the fact that American Steel
make fantastic music even if it is not original.
5/5
Review by Trigger |
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| Band
Members |
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Rory Henderson (Vocals, Guitar)
Ryan Massey (Guitar, Vocals)
John Peck (Bass, Vocals)
Scott Healy (Drums) |
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| Track
Listing |
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1. Emergency House Party
2. Tear The Place Apart
3. Safe And Sound
4. Your Ass Aint Laughing Now
5. The Blood Gets Everywhere
6. From Here To Hell
7. Dear Friends And Gentle Hearts
8. Lights Out
9. Bergamot
10. Where You Want To Be
11. Finally Alone
12. Meals & Entertainment |
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| Band
Related Links |
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| Review
Score Code |
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- Top Cheese
- Brilliant
- Pretty damn good
- Ok I guess
-
What Was That? |
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