Against All Authority - Restoration of Chaos and Order

Alright I obviously don't want to review albums that have been out for a long time. I have a hard time deciding what is past the line of review. But I figured that the cut off date would be the exact opposite season from we are in now. -AAA-'s album just makes that mark so I figured I'd go ahead and review it since Ska albums that may be worth mentioning aren't exactly released everyday.

The Restoration of Chaos and Order did not surprise me in the sounds that were presented in it. In just about every small release I have heard from them on compilations and splits since their last major release seemed to be headed this way. There is more punk and grit and less of that melodic reggae and ska sound we heard way back on the classic All Fall Down. Not to say its absent or that it ruins the album; but more of that could of helped I think. It was that sound that kept them from falling in a crowd while it wasn't 100% original you can pick an -AAA- song out of a crowd easily. Well now that may not be as easy, in some cases. The great well thought out politics are still there and the ska makes appearances so don't worry it is still an Against All Authority album.

You also have to wonder why they didn't have as many moments for their horn player. The trumpet lines were never awe inspiring or anything and they get a lot of criticism because of it. But it helped keep things moving and helped keep things broken up. There are many times on this album that could of used a smooth horn line; and when the finally bring it in a song its only one time and then its gone never to be heard again. You have to wonder what Alan does on stage.

The album starts out with the title track The Restoration of Chaos and Order; which is based on a Bush speech flub that plays before the track. The song is well thought out and very catchy. Just a straight ahead punk song with some good hooks and some moments for the crowd to sing along with. The lyrics and vocals are still just as gritty as they have ever been and it still works well for them. The next track (Sweet Televised Destruction) is just as good and is the first inclusion of that ole' ska feel; moving back and forth to just plain hardcore moments with pure anger and energy to the smooth feeling they are good at giving with the Ska beat with that jump in the lyrics that are much more melodic. At almost 2 mins into the song the trumpet makes its first appearance with a more reggae feel for a nice bridge and ending section.
The third track is my least favorite. All Ages Show Tonight, is a song about two punks at a show falling in love. Its just not very good, their isn't much catch to the song and in some times the tonality just goes off. Besides the fact that it is kinda a cheesy idea for a song; especially when you are expecting that political grit. But then again they don't have to do that all the time and the change is welcome it just wasn't done well.
One of the best songs on the album hails back to that whole feel of their first album. Track 5, Radio Waves; has a great ska verse with a simple trumpet line accenting everything just like they are known for it is just uber catchy. The chorus is simple as it isn't the main point of the song, like most of their songs.
The next song Silence is Golden but Duck Tape is Silver has more of a depressing tone it unlike the previous songs which were more upbeat but still serious. It is the last of the standard ska/reggae tracks for the next few tracks as well, but no horn. It is still a very solid song.
The next songs may have a few tinges of a Ska feel but not really enough to say they are a Ska song of any type and no horn still. These are on their punk side. They are very brash and very energetic. They push forward without any hints of stopping, just like you would expect. The only song I'm not a huge fan of is I Just Wanna Start a Circle pit. The song is about the reasons, feelings, ideals etc of being in a circle pit. It’s a fun song and very hard and energetic but like the Punk Rock love song, misses its mark.
The Production of Self Destruction bring us back into the Ska though only slightly. It moves quickly between the two beats in the verses and the chorus is still a hard rockin punk one. At about 2 mins again it slows down to their classic sing along reggae bridge and then moves right back into the hard rockin chorus. Once again no horn, and it had many chances for one. The album on a smart move ends with something that sums up old and new sounds. Best Enemy has the simple horn part, the more thrashing ska guitar (while still keeping it move smooth, not too fast , you feel the beat like you should) and the gritty chorus and bridges that have the tonality of this entire album. It’s a great song to end the album with because it leaves you with that imprint of their general sound in your mind.

Overall it is a great album. I could of used more horn, it isn't big deal and if it was another band it wouldn't of mattered. But that kind of sound is what I always enjoyed from -AAA-. Lyrics are still good and well thought out, the energy is still there and they still have the mastery of that Ska beat without rushing it or losing the feel of the beat like many Ska-Punk bands do.

A-

Plea for Peace: Volume 2

"A Punk Rock Compilation Benefiting PFP"

That is the tag for this new Compilation through Asian Man Records for the Plea for Peace Foundation. It probably perfectly describes this 2 CD set as well. On the back it states "100% of the profits from this CD set will go to the Plea For Peace Foundation". With that statement and a 6 buck price tag at my local store it was a must for me and I'd tell anyone to check it out just because of that. But I'll go ahead and give it a review of how I felt about the music choices.

The first CD starts off with Chuck Ragan - For Broken Ears. It is a simple acoustic song; and I like that. I found it a good way to start off the album and the general idea of the song sets the mood for the rest of the compilation. The only complain I have for the track is the harmonica mixing. It just gets into bad areas of volume and such and sticks way too much out from the rest of the song.
After that we begin into the other tracks which are some good examples of todays punk scene. There are some good things and some bad things about that. The good things are: the songs are driving, the songs stick to that rebellion feeling, and most of them get you in a thinking mood. The bad things are: Some of the songs like some punk are over simplified and have the same lyrics being repeated far too much, and some of the songs just aren't well written (but not many). I think the only song I can not listen to on this CD is Cave In -Dead Already (Live). This hardcore/metal song is just well...awful. Its basically the same beat, same riffs, and same non distinguishable lyrics for yes 4 and a half mins; and when they do change it up it really drags. The Anti-Flag track after it isn't that great either; they just aren't the same band anymore. It has its moments but I've heard better from them.

I do enjoy the mix between the 2 cds between Punk and the very popular amongst the kiddies Folk stuff. It not only just brings in some good songs that really reflect what PFP is going for but it breaks up the album so the distorted and driving punk doesn't wear on your ears through 52 tracks. One thing I was kinda shocked to see was little to no Ska. I guess Mike was trying to stick to the albums tag line; or I feel to be more correct he didn't want this to be another Asian Man comp. Which is understandable; there are plenty of good Ska comps out anyway. There are a few Ska tracks though. If you want you can count the RX Bandits track but it isn't Ska it is one of their progressive songs. Then there is the No Torso track Fight the Blue Horizon. I love this band and this track. Their MMBT sound is catchy and well written. There is also a Big D track and actually the one Big D track I have ever really enjoyed. The stripped down Try Out Your Voice, is actually pretty cool and is in good tone with the comp.

The second CD is just like the first one. I wouldn't say it is any worse or any better. I do know I'm not a fan of the first two tracks (The Filthy Thieving Bastards track is just not so good and the Toys that Kill track is catchy but repetitive). I'm also not a fan of the Country Rock style (yep thats what I'm calling it) track by Drag the River. Its just not good to my ears; boring, bland and kind of annoying after a while. But there are plenty of good tracks to make up for those. The Briefs, Faint and Fading Out, Andrew Jackson Jihad, and no matter how much I don't wanna say it the NOFX track...just to name a few. I like how the CD ends with an Acoustic track by Mike Park. It keeps the consistency for the whole project and its a fun little song.

Ok so I got a request to just review the Jawbreaker track so I'm going to. If you don't care, skip this paragraph. Now I don't listen to a lot of Jawbreaker so I'm not gonna compare it to anything. But here is my dry review of the song itself. First thing you may notice is it is not the best quality or mix; but it is live so you gotta forgive it a little. It is a pretty mellow song but still drives a little and has some good playing in it; even more of a melodic song at times then your average punk band. The drumming is pretty good; he keeps the song on its toes and that is good. It is not just hi hat, snare and bass with a few fills. Only two real complaints from me would be the sound of the voice..it just doesn't do it for me sometimes and the solo at the end of the song while different and cool wear thin before the song ends. But I feel that if you are Jawbreaker fan you'll enjoy this song and it is a good addition to the album.

So there is the review of the PFP compilation. It is probably one of the best compilations I have heard in a long time. If not for a few songs that just really drug me down it is a solid listen through all 52 tracks and the fact that it is for charity and only cost 6 bucks it is damn near perfect.

Go buy it

(thats right no grade thats my final say)