|
|
|
BANDS: Punk
& Ska INTERESTS: Venues ETC... About
LOTD
|
The 101:
Green Street
The last track on The 101s album Green Street is called Regret. As music reviewer setups go, this ranks with the last Daft Punk album. Regret is exactly what I felt after finishing the album. The 101 throws in all sorts of drums, guitars, and vocals, but it seems senseless. It wasnt always like this, though. First track Never In opens with the same power chords as a dozen songs before it, but singer Eric Richter (formerly of Christie Front Drive) is appealing as a bored boyfriend trying to save a relationship. The chorus is repeated so much its almost offensive, but Never In is nevertheless an outstanding example of pop-punk. The better parts of the album are a lot like that. Wolf opens with chords that recall my youthful "fascination" with 3 Doors Down, except I dont feel dirty when the song finishes. Later, Fucked up Job takes the formula used earlier and applies it to a very popular topic for pop-punk bands: how much they hate their day jobs. Its disappointing how the chorus obscures most other lyrics, but at the start, the instrumentation is interesting enough to keep the songs relevant. The 101 is definitely trying to perfect the pop-punk formula, but it grows tiresome. Richter and his bandmates have figured out a recipe for nice, fluffy songs, but they seem content to just play the same basic structure. By the halfway mark, Green Street already feels tired. But if the early tracks are repetitive, theyre still fundamentally good. Later, The 101 tries to experiment with the ponderous Generals and the interminable Regret. After those two songs, I longed for a return to the two-and-a-half minute plan. It comes back in Bus Fare, the kind of song most of the album has been made of. Its disappointing, however, that The 101 seem only able to score with a single kind of song composition. Although it is definitely enjoyable at parts, Green Street is more a collection of singles than an album.
This album can be purchased at Limekiln Records About LOTD Contact/Staff Advertise Home All content LEFT OFF THE DIAL 2001-2005. All rights reserved. |
