The Lawrence Arms
Oh! Calcutta!
Fat Wreck Chords (2006)
Oh! Calcutta! - A Simpsons reference or a slightly more cultured allusion to the 1969 Broadway erotica musical of the same name? Oh! Calcutta! is the fifth full-length from The Lawrence Arms, who have also released a 7", B-sides album, several splits, and more compilation contributions than you could care to name. This latest release is an interesting one for the three-piece from Chicago. Kicking off with the bouncy "The Devil's Takin' Names," we're ushered into the record with menacing bass noise, quickly followed by a dual vocal attack, rushing into a typical Lawrence Arms chorus, which like much of their past material, will leave listeners scratching their head as to how they know the sing-along parts after one listen. We do get a break from tradition with the uncharacteristic vocals in the breakdown from guitarist Chris McCaughan that sounds almost country-esque in a sun baked and whisky-drenched throaty rasp. One thing that's evident from first listen to Oh! Calcutta! is the slight rhythmic variation by the band compared to their past releases. Typically favoring palm-muted "punk" chord progressions that have seen the band earn some criticism for repetitiveness, the first few tracks of Oh! Calcutta! show some attempts to … Read more
The Loved Ones
Keep Your Heart
Fat Wreck Chords (2006)
It's 2:11am on Friday morning and I'm sitting in my room in my boxers eating Frito Scoops and realizing that … Read more
Ultra Dolphins
Why Are You Laugh
Robotic Empire (2006)
Prior to receiving this album, I was only aware of Ultra Dolphins by name. I'd seen their name plastered on … Read more
Rise and Fall
Into Oblivion
Deathwish Inc./Reflections (2006)
On last year's Hellmouth Rise and Fall showed obvious signs of influence from metallic hardcore acts Integrity, Leeway, and Ringworm. … Read more
