October 3, 2004

When this CD came through the post I was really looking forward to listening to it and got it in to the player as fast as I could. The reason for this is that I had heard a track on the Rock Against Bush compilation and been really impressed with what I had heard so was hotly anticipating this track. I have to say I was definitely not disappointed when this track kicked off – you are thrown straight in at the deep end with a heavy opening guitar riff showing that the bands Pop Punk days are now in the quite distant past. Sum 41 are no longer a Pop Punk band for the Under 14s to enjoy – they are a much more mature band these days producing some top notch material.

‘We’re All To Blame’ is by far the greatest Sum 41 track I have ever heard with its awesome metallic guitar riffs, strong drumming, blinding bass lines, and excitable vocals. Derek is definitely a talented vocalist and I think that it is on the bands heavier tracks that this talent really shines through so on this track his voice sounds totally amazing. This track has a superb chorus that will stick in your mind and you will be singing along to it as you walk about for the rest of the week. Never before have the band produced a song quite as exciting as this one – it is a truly energetic, catchy little number that is far heavier than their earlier material and they are sounding a hell of a lot better for it.

This single has been taken from their forthcoming album ‘Chuck,’ and if this is anything to go by then this album will definitely be the bands greatest album thus far and most certainly the heaviest. The band have definitely matured and come of age since they emerged on the scene with ‘Fat Lip’ a few years back and they have most certainly changed for the better with their newfound heavy material.

Rating:

Rich

UK based film graduate with a huge passion for music, sports and video games.

Ok, I was really looking forward to listening to this CD but the first time I listened to it I was really quite disappointed. Having been impressed with all of the bands previous material and the way that they have slowly but surely progressed I thought this would be a blinder and I would instantly be hooked! It really did take me a while to get into this CD but after a few weeks hard listening I am really in to this CD now and think it is a quality effort from a band that will surely go far.

You can definitely hear the early Saves The Day influence on this band, but they are individual enough to make them great in their own right and you can really appreciate that this band have slowly evolved into the superb band we see before us today. This CD has very professional artwork to go with a superb quality recording of excellent production that should see them go straight to the top of the scene. No longer are the band using their early Lego style designs – not only has their music matured but their professionalism in CD covers also. This is a mighty fine EP with 6 strong tracks that will most certainly put a smile on your face with their post hardcore greatness. Shuriken are a band who create fun music that is great to dance to and when listening to their CDs you can just imagine them being an extremely energetic and extravagant live band that send everyone home from their gigs with a huge smile on their face.

Opening track ‘The 18th Emergency’ is probably the highlight of the CD for me with its fun punk attitude, great lyrics, and fun vocal style. It has some truly amazing guitar riffs as well – the kind of guitar riffs that make you want to go out and purchase a guitar so you can play them yourself! The acoustic version of ‘Arch Nemesis’ was also a bit of a highlight for me as I had been very pleased with the track on their single, so hearing it again brought back great memories of this amazing track and summers gone by. It really is an awesome track and I like what the band have done with it on this EP. The fact it is acoustic definitely takes nothing away from the track – in fact I think it adds character to the song and makes it all the more enjoyable to listen to.

If you have heard previous material of the band and have been impressed then I strongly suggest that you check out this new CD as it is really something special. This band have come a long way since their early material and although I have loved everything that the band have done in the past, I love this EP a hell of a lot more and feel that the band have come on in leaps and bounds since their early recordings. This EP is definitely something to get excited about and is a vital CD for your collection – you can rest assured that this will be played many a time in the future. Do yourself a favour and buy this CD today – I promise you won’t be disappointed with what you hear!

Rating:

Rich

UK based film graduate with a huge passion for music, sports and video games.

Archives for October 3, 2004

Sum 41 – We’re All To Blame

Shuriken – Evacuate / Disintegrate