The Joykiller
“The Joykiller”
Epitaph
Dispelling the joke that all Epitaph bands sound like Bad Religion, former TSOL frontman Jack Grisham returns with his latest band The Joykiller. Manipulating a piano through a fuzzbox, The Joykiller create a sound all their own. Grisham’s lyrics are insane. He tells tales of sex, dead love and something about an evil god… I don’t know. Vocals sound something in the way of Jesus Lizard meets Bruce Dickinson. If you’re looking for pop-punk you won’t find it here. The Joykiller play a distorted version of rock, bit it definitely kicks ass. “Show me the system and I’ll show you the violence.”

Rancid
“Demos From The Pit”
Hate the new Rancid record? Miss the days of old, when Rancid played small shit holes that were barely sold out? This could be a small cure. “Demos From The Pit” contains Rancid’s first 7”, as well as a load of songs off their first record. Original versions of “Whirlwind,” “Trenches,” and “Rats In The Hallway” are really rad to listen to. The sound quality is pretty good for a bootleg. Matt Freeman provides most of the vocals and pumps his bass to the max. Kinda brings a tear to your eye. Unreleased songs include: “To Hell,” “Opposition,” “Inhalation,” and a tone more—23 songs in all. So you think they’ll play any of these songs between there new ska songs at the Roseland? Ha!

Green Day
“Insomniac”
Restless
Surprisingly enough, Green Day’s new record actually sounds complete, and not like a collection of singles. Not that Dookie was (sarcasm intended). “Insomniac” sounds like a well-produced version of “Kerplunk,” catchy punks songs about the stupid things in life. Tre Cool’s drumming is highlighted throughout the album, drum rolls aplenty, now if he could just grow up and change his name. I was quite disappointed to find out that the song “Jaded” was not a cover of the OpIvy song. Both MTV music award winning songs are included on the album, but alas J.A.R. is nowhere to be found.

Sugar Ray
"Lemonade and Brownies”
Atlantic
Sugar Ray breaks all barriers in weird music. Trying to classify them would be impossible. “Snug Harbor,” the opening track, includes a horn section, giving it a very jazzy feel. The listener is then thrust into the Dog Eat Dog-style “Rhyme Stealer.” “Mean Machine” is their big hit single, the song is a modified, up to date version of the classic “Hot Rod Lincoln.” The lyrics get hilarious after a while with songs like “Danzig Needs A Hug (need I say more?) and “Dance Party USA (an ode to Eric from the Real World).

Orange 9mm
“Driver”
Atlantic
Pounding hardcore from ex-Burn singer Chaka’s latest outfit. This stuff is fierce. Heavy guitar riffs compliment the rap-style vocals to a tee. The lyrics almost seem to be coming out freestyle, but the message seems to ring true. Too bad Orange 9mm is probably the only ones who can sit down and decipher them. Rhymes and riddles are thrown at the listener, wrapped tightly around a blanket of aggressive music. “Glistening” and “High Speed Charger” kick off the album with an amazing adrenalin rush of music. Other power hitters include “Magnet” and the band’s first radio single “Can’t Decide.”

Various Artists
“Homage”
Coolidge Records
This is the first of a possible many Descendent’s tribute records scheduled to come out this year, and woah am I scared to see what’s next. Don’t buy this if you are expecting faithful cover of your favorite Descendent tunes, because you’ll be in for a rude awakening. This album consists of little known bands taking their own slant at classic tunes by the worshipers of ALL. Thumbs up go to Peepshow for an amazing rendition of “Coolidge,” featuring a cool new break in the middle, and the Bouncing Souls with a very well done take on “Pervert.” Doom UK slaughters “Sour Grapes” with accordions. Hey, some band even covers “Green.”

Shelter
“Mantra”
Roadrunner
This Krishna hardcore band seems right at home on their new record label. “Mantra’s” production is top notch, much crisper sounding than “Attaining the Supreme.” Ray Cappo’s vocals are tremendous, drastically changing from hardcore to melodic. Shelter is amazing at getting their message across, without sounding preachy. Stand-out songs include “Civilized Man” (about the slaughter of the cows), “Here We Go Again” (sex vs. love), “Empathy” (Adam Blake’s bass playing is amazing), and “Letter To A Friend.”

NoFX
“I Heard They Suck Live”
Fat Wreck Chords
Well after seeing them perform in November 1994, at the now-defunct City Gardens, I already knew that they didn’t suck life. The album opens up with Fat Mike’s signature monologue, sounding more like Letterman than a punk. They do a revamped version of “El Lay,” titled “East Bay,” change the lyrics on “Together in the Sand,” and do a few songs of their rotten first record. Chants of Oi!, are shouted throughout “The Brew,” and I feel sorry for anyone caught in the pit during “Kill all the White Men.” Not that bad of a live album, but nowhere near as good as the real deal.

CIV
“Set Your Goals”
Atlantic
This is no Gorilla Biscuits, boys and girls; CIV definitely has a sound of their own (even though I have heard rumors that this is the long lost GB album). Produced by Walter, currently of Quicksand fame, “Set Your Goals” proves to be a well-rounded album. It switches between hardcore and pop-punk songs, featuring lyrics that carry a very “we don’t give a shit” attitude which makes this record really fun to listen to. Highlights include: “Can’t Wait One Minute More” (featuring SOIA singer Lou Koller on vocals), and “Trust Slips Through Your Hands (the one song on the album that really sounds like GB).

Rancid
“… And Out Come The Wolves”
Epitaph
In a recent edition of the EC Rocker bassist Matt Freeman stated that he felt that each of his albums was progressively better than the last. Well, I guess at this rate the next Rancid record is going to sound like The Specials. This album is, to say the least, tame. There is a severe lack of boomy bass, quick catchy songs, and concert flyers (inside the inlay sheet). Rancid has definitely changed direction. Standout tracks include “Roots Radical,” “Journey to the End of the East Bay” (the OpIvy story), and “Avenues and Alleyways.”