ROCKIST	HOME | REVIEWS | INTERVIEWS | BANDS ON TOUR | LINKS
Actionslacks Never Never Shake Baby EP This EP contains a couple songs that were recorded during the sessions for The Scenes Out of Sight. It also includes an alternate version of Shining Jewels, re-mixed and embellished with a new guitar part by TSOoS producer J. Robbins. I think the band made the right call in leaving these songs of the near-perfect TSOoS as their inclusion likely would have only weighed it down. It is, however, the last two tracks on this EP that make it essential. The live version of I Hope This Makes It Easier for You, while not a great recording, is a bit more gnarly than the album version, which fits this song well as sing/guitarist Tim Scanlin tries to make it easier for his lover to break up with him as he subtly tells her about all the girls hes been fooling around with. (Check out ex-Samiam/Mr. T Experience member Aaron Rubin on bass on this song.) The highlight of this record, however, is their cover of the 80s tune She Talks in Stereo. Scanlins slinking around the mic and the increased punch the Slacks give this song make it much better than the original. (www.slacksaction.com; Post-Parlo Records www.postparlo.com)	The Also-Rans The Resignation EP This Boston five piece churns out the poppy rock that will be a nice surprise to fans of Superchunk. The vocals and lyrics of Chris Kelly (ex-My Own Sweet) are top notch. My only problem with this release lie in the back-up vocals, which seem unnecessary (and at times intrusive) given the strength of Kellys vocals. Another fine release from SINCAudio (Scott Sinclair, who has also done the Hot Water Music cover art), complete with beautiful layout and artwork. (www.also-rans.com; SINCAudio www.sincstudio.com/audio)
Anniversary Your Majesty This album was actually a pretty pleasant surprise to me. Their previous releases didnt really do anything for me, but this time out, I think that theyve managed to take their obvious love of 1960s pop and fashion it into something that sounds fresh, catchy, and totally unexpected. (www.anniversaryrock.com; Vagrant Records)	Audio Learning Center Friendships Often Fade Away Friendships Often Fade Away marks the return to music for Christopher Brady, the singer for Pond, whose Rock Collection remains one of the great under-appreciated albums of the late 1990s and whose live show was even better. On Friendships Often Fade Away, Brady teams up with Steven Birch (ex-Sprinkler) and Pond producer Adam Kasper to create a pretty solid, thoughtful pop record. The record seems to be an exercise in exploring different rhythms and sounds, using Bradys pensive lyrics and high-pitched vocals as the base. While the album lacks the dynamics of Ponds tunes, the variety on the record makes this an album to check out, if youre not afraid of the poppiness that ALC embraces. (www.audiolearningcenter.com; Vagrant www.vagrant.com)
Bad Religion The Process of Belief Thank God theyre back! The reigning kings of intelligent melodic punk have returned, this time with original guitarist Brett Gurewitz to save punk from being silly and dumb. (Theres nothing wrong with either of those qualities occasionally, but how about focused and thoughtful once in a while?) Bad Religion has been inspiring young punks minds for 15 plus years and this album represents their best hope to help rejuvenate the nations jaded youth. Sohows the album? Well, lets just say that I had to go back and listen to all their other albums to confirm my gut feeling that this was indeed their best album yet. Yesye of little faith...IT IS THEIR BEST ALBUM YET. Dont get me wrong. I loved The New America (as I loved Suffer and No Substance), but The Process of Belief showcases the band at their tightest and most fiery. Then men of Bad Religion are playing better than they ever have right now. The return of Gurewitz seems to have re-energized the band. Singer Greg Graffins melodies are top notch, as are the backup vocals. And this kid, Brooks Wacherman (ex-Infectious Grooves) hits the drums as hard and as fast as anyone in punk in 2002. The albums strength lies in its diversity and pacing, in addition to the fact that you could stand about eleven of the thirteen songs on this album up against Infected and 20th Century Digital Boy. Am I impressed? Hell yeah. Am I surprised? Not at all. (www.badreligion.com; Epitaph Records www.epitaph.com)	Casket Lottery Survival is for Cowards The cryptically-titled third album from Casket Lottery is a pretty thick cake of tightly wound rock with math-y H/C undertones. The guitars weave and clash, the bass lines are innovative, and the drumming is impressive. Their efforts create walls of sound that build up and break apart in a well-thought-out, complex manner. (111 NE Wildplum Drive, Lees Summit, MO 64086 www.thecasketlottery.com; Second Nature PO Box 11543 Kansas City, MO 64138 www.secondnaturerecordings.com) Cub Country High Uinta High Jeremy Chatelain (Jets to Brazil, ex-Handsome) trades in his bass for a turn up front once more with this collection of poppy country tunes recalling the range life. This is a fun record which makes for great background music while you throw a couple more patties on the grill and kick back on the porch in your favorite chair. (Jade Tree Records www.jadetree.com) COME BACK SOON FOR LOTS MORE REVIEWS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .