Millencolin “Machine 15”
Millencolin is a Swedish punk rock band in the Green Day pop mold. This is hard hitting, power chord riffing heaven. This is brash boisterous punk with harmonies that take center stage. The big single “Detox” is a sure fire hit if it gets airplay. The other songs run from typical hard rock pop of “Done Is Done” to the punkier elegance of “Broken World” So if your tastes run across the spectrum of mainstream popular rock, like Goo Goo Dolls or Foo Fighters, you’ll enjoy this. Another great pop single is “Come On” with it’s anthemic chorus and Kinks-like guitar progression. Some tunes get closer to the harder, edgier with “Who’s laughing Now” – which is either a put down to artists who don’t “sell out” or almost a statement to fans, who may consider this album too mainstream. With 15 tracks there is something to please almost everyone, and fans of the groups earlier “Kingwood” album, will not be disappointed. It’s Recommended if you like any of the above mentioned bands. Listen to it streaming on the Epitaph label site.
MIllencolin SiteMy Space | Itunes
Stratocruiser “Egg Shells”
North Carolina power-pop group Stratocruiser’s new album “Egg Shells” is full of crunchy rock riffs and sweet pop melody. It’s following in the heavy power pop footsteps of Aerosmith, Badfinger and especially Cheap Trick. Lead singer Clay Howard’s vocals recall a mix of Ian Hunter and Bon Jovi. Mike Nicholson’s guitar rings with Brydsian clarity and coupled with Matt Brown on drums and Jack Getz on bass, Stratocruiser has a monster of an album here. Starting with the mid-tempo “Try” it sets the tone with heavy riffs and harmonies that almost could pass for a Kiss rocker. Next on “Egg Shells” the bass turns up the psych-pop bass line and gives us a sweet guitar solo in break. There are a few Beatlesque melodies here, like “I Think So” which is very close to Gene Clark in it’s style. Straight ahead rockers like “Rolling Green Fields” give way to the full blown psyche-melodies of “Make it Work.” The heavy rock of “Cherry Flavored” recalls BTO, Thin Lizzy or Grand Funk. This is a great album, that will sound even better in the car with the windows down, played loud. No duds here and it’s on emusic too! So get this now and enjoy!
The Stratocruiser web site | My Space | E Music