archives cd archives I cd archives II The Fight "Home Is Where The Hate Is" Fat Wreck Chords Whats just as good as being a punk band from the U.S.? Being one from the U.K. Despite the fights of where it all began, both areas produce high quality punks. With a sound reminiscent of early 80’s punk bands such as X-Ray Specs and the Avengers, The Fight, a band from Dudly, UK is one of the most recent acts to catch the ear of punk rockers all over. Call them what you want, but whatever you do, dont call them a "girl band." K8, the female lead singer says that "girl singers are pretty much crap." Despite her attitude, she delivers some pretty gutsy girl lyrics. On their first EP, "Home Is Where The Hate Is," the band explores topics such as wannabees and revolution with catchy hooks and punky beats. Their sound is a combination of elements from 80’s punk and poppy punk hits from current artists such as Sum 41. This cd is one you can listen to again and again and always find something new to like. I look forward to hearing more from The Fight. Rating: 3 Manda and the Marbles "More Seduction" Go Kart Records $$$$$ Manda and the Marbles is remarkable! There are many female fronted bands out there that miss the mark but this band hits the bullseye. Manda has a voice with the right combination of huskiness and girliness. With influences such as Joan Jett and The Go-Gos, Manda and the Marbles has a mix of rock and pop. The songs are catchy, fun to listen to, and pleasantly retro. Now when every band out there wants to be retro, Manda and the Marbles show that they could teach all these wannabe bands a thing or two about how to play their music. In a society that accepts female fronted bands as all look and no talent, Manda and the Marbles forces the toughest critics to stop dead in their presumptuous tracks. Manda and the Marbles is a band with abounding talent. More Seduction is an album that exudes this talent-making the music more than just drums, chords and vocals. It is a bubbling life-force. -Katie Kiedyk www.mandaandthemarbles.com Cool Grrrls Kick Ass! Various Artists Independently released by Coolgrrrls.com $$$$ I’d be lying if I claimed no bias in rating Cool Grrrls Kick Ass! Lying with my fingers crossed behind my back, my toes curled over each other for good measure, and my eyes trained on the floor so no one could behold their deceitful glint. With that said, let me also say that I never develop biases without good reason. And in this case, my Cool Grrrls Kick Ass bias boils down to the fact that the website that produced it means so much to me. For almost two years coolgrrrls.com has been my haven. A sanctuary that wraps me in a warm blanket any time I get down in the dumps about the state of the music industry. An internet palace where grrrls are always royalty, and their need to rock through life is celebrated. The website’s first ever compilation CD serves the same purpose. It has sixteen tracks from girl bands across the world, each one jamming louder and harder than the next. All it took was one spin on my stereo before I was convinced that this record is the definitive soundtrack to my life. Tirany kicks things off with So Long, a frisky independence anthem celebrating a girl’s need to do her own thing. Lava Baby isn’t far behind on Sex Junkie, a poppy tune with an irresistible chorus and enough "doo do do do doos" to fill my head for hours. And The Hissyfits, one of my old favorites, bust through the speakers with the grinding bass and haunting lyrics of Something Wrong 2001. But those tracks aren’t the only ones worth mentioning. Gore Gore Girls put the bad back into badass when they bang away on Hot Rod Breakdown. Manda and the Marbles revive the best aspects of 80’s rock with Dangerous. Riff Randells bring glory to the power chord on Lethal Lipgloss. And Dada Stunt Girl reminds us of the importance of feminism, urgently chanting, "Come on girls let’s liberate. Come on girls let’s educate…" on their fist-raising, heart-pounding groove, Femmenstruation Liberation. I could go on, but gushing anymore might remind you of that bias I previously mentioned. It might make you think that I’m only plugging this CD because I write for the site. And that’s not true. Coolgrrrls.com has and always will hold a special place in my heart, but my love for the webzine has nothing to do with my love for Cool Grrrls Kick Ass! The latter love was spawned in response to the hearty spirit and superior quality of the album’s music. If you don’t believe me, check it out yourself. You’ll see that this collective effort kicks ass, takes names, and knocks down walls, all in the the name of fun and good music. -Jenny Seay www.coolgrrrls.com/store Stavesacre "Stavesacre" Nitro Records $$$$ My first impression of Stavesacre upon listening to their newest release was that they sound like a cross between Tool and Soundgarden. They make it work. I have heard rave reviews of this band before and can now verify all of the good things I’ve heard. The music is a combination of soft whispers and louder screams. It keeps the listener anticipating what will come next, bringing rock to a new level. The lyrics are the kind that hit you over the head with realization that the band is feeling the same things as you. Their message is spoken in language that is relationship-universal. Stavesacre proves with this release that they are not just another band that fits into the So-Cal mold. The cd is described as a "unique blend of power and beauty." I can’t agree more. -Katie Kiedyk www.nitrorecords.com The Vandals "Internet Dating Superstuds" Kung Fu Records $$$$$ This cd is great! I love the Vandals. They are regular punk rock connoisseurs! They have survived every popular music turnover from grunge to retro. They prove with "Internet Dating Superstuds" that they can still do it the best. Their songs are catchy and crazy! Listening to the cd is just a lot of fun. You will laugh out loud at some of the songs such as "Disproportioned Head" and "Soccer Mom." If the heavy side of life has got you depressed and you feel like your head will explode if you hear one more whiney song about a broken heart-then you need to get yourself some "Internet Dating Superstuds." It is rare these days to find a cd that will pump you up and make you laugh-but The Vandals’ energetic music with attitudes to match is the perfect remedy for anything emo. I can’t say enough good things about these guys! They are awesome and I admire them for playing their music for so long with such ambition and heart. Not too mention-they are soo damn good at it! This cd is a must have for everyone! It’s been in my cd player since the day I got it! If you aren’t Vandals fan-you will be after listening to "Internet Dating Superstuds." -Katie Kiedyk www.kungfurecords.com CriBabi "Volume" Fidela Records $$$ Take one Japanese woman, formerly of "The Groopies" who wrote many songs for Japanese artists that just learned English, one English man formerly of the bands "The Beat" and "Fine Young Cannibals," add distance and a low budget and you would think you would wind up with a recipe for failure, however this is not the case-especially not when they people involved are the determined Yukari F and Andy Cox. The two formed the project "Cri Babi." Their music sounds like folky pop with a twist. Yukari’s English is perfect along with her smooth voice. Along with the cd you get an extra that gives you an inside glimpse into what the band worked with. Despite all of the obstacles, Cri Babi emerges as an unstoppable force-with an equation that equals success. -Katie Kiedyk www.fidela.com Rocketboys "Rock’N’Roll Dudes" Session Park Studio $$$ If you love the sounds of the B 52’s and the Beach Boys, the Rocketboys is a band that you have to listen to. This band brings me back to the days when rock and roll was captured in its purest essence. This is a band that anyone in your family could listen to. From your parents who were probably around during the days of original rock and roll, to someone looking for a new twist on an old yet far from exhausted trend. If you are sick of all of today’s music commercialism, The Rocketboys is a band you should definitely check out. -Katie Kiedyk www.rocketboys.de Avail "Front Porch Stories" Fat Wreck Chords $$$$$ Punk rock with substance seems to be lost these days...but not completely, thanks to a little band from Richmond, Virginia called Avail. Their sixth studio album, "Front Porch Stories," proves that the band that stuffs themselves into a nasty old van to drive to shows, is not just around to look pretty. They have an authentic sound unique only to Avail alone. Lead singer, Tim Barry’s gritty voice is unmatched. Also unmatched is Avail’s versatile sound which is not genre specific. This makes them even more great. Instead of aiming for a certain group of people who feel the need to label themselves, this band focuses on their original music which is the most important thing to them. Anyone who is interested in real music that is hard, fast, biting and amazing, Avail is the band for you. If you are all about the new hot thing. According to Beau Beau, the band's infamous tattooed go-go dancer, you are out of luck. "We'll never be the new hot thing, 'cause we're too old and fat for that," he says. "We'll never be cool." Cool-maybe not-but an awesome band that knows how to rock out-of course! -Katie Kiedyk www.fatwreck.com Mia Doi Todd "The Golden State" Columbus Records $$$ If you are looking for something new, fresh and original, look no further than Mia Doi Todd’s newest cd, "The Golden State." Being a literate, classically trained singer, Mia Doi Todd has a voice as clear as the blue sky and an intelligence for song writing that is just as sharp. This Yale grad has all of the little specifics of a good song down pat. Her music is entrancing and beautiful. -Katie Kiedyk www.miadoitodd.com Iron and Wine "The Creek Drank The Cradle" Sub Pop Records $$$$ When I first received the cd, I had no idea what to expect. There was no band or graphic on the cd that gave away the kind of music I should anticipate. I put the cd in and was pleasantly surprised. Iron and Wine has a soothing, folky feel reminiscent of an independent film’s soundtrack. The music brings me back to the lazy days of summer where the breeze is gently blowing. The deep, reflective lyrics are sung so softly that each song sounds like it could be a lullaby. This music is truly beautiful. There is no special effects to beef this music up. It is just a man and his guitar. The music is truly enjoyable. -Katie Kiedyk www.subpop.com The Vandals "Sweatin To The Oldies" DVD Kung Fu Records $$$$$ More material from the punk rock legends The Vandals means only one thing... more excellence! This 2 disc DVD is taken from a live concert. It has a bunch of extras including a commentary from the band about the line of people waiting outside for the concert. It is nothing less than hysterical. These guys are so awesome, from watching the DVD I felt like I had known them for years. One of the things I found interesting-included in the DVD is a section that shows all of the commercials that Vandals songs are featured in. I really enjoyed this and look forward to seeing more stuff from this band. I love it! -Katie Kiedyk www.kungfurecords.com