Labels: Lookout
Review by: Ian Cavell
Album #2 for these prolific Richmond punk-rock heroes and if you’re familiar with Ann Beretta you’ll know what to expect. Yes, its the sound of Avail and Rancid brawling in the playground while all their mates cheer them on. I’ve seen the word ‘rockabilly’ used by people when reviewing AB but that sounds dumb so we’ll just stick with infectious punk-rock ok? And there’s some great songs on here : the relaxed, laid back groove of ‘vengeance’, the rocking ‘like a riot’ and ‘love’s easy tears’ which is just so similar to that ska-punk sound that Rancid play its uncanny. Its just a shame they had to spoil a great song like ‘Burning Bridges’ by inviting Less Than Jake to play some horns over the top. It doesn’t add to the sound, it just wrecks it.
To be honest, I had a few doubts about this album and, ok, its far from a classic (if you want one of them wait a couple of weeks and get the new Alkaline Trio and Kid Dynamite full lengths) but its catchy, honest and enjoyable and you could definitely do a lot worse.