Sum 41 - 13 Voices

(Words by Burra)

This is the brand new album from a recharged Sum 41 and the first with guitarist Dave Baksh back in the group. My initial impression upon listening was "Oh it's darker, keep this theme going please and we may have a good record here," and I wasn't too far off with such a request; its a lot darker, especially to those that may only know Sum 41 for "In Too Deep" or "Fat Lip", as its definitely not the happy, bouncy pop punk as reflected in such earlier hits.

Big riffs! Some lovely guitar playing on this record actually - throughout in fact; riff after riff, with loads going on. This is a very strong album here; a really solid set of songs with a lot more aggressive vocal approach, and very mature to boot. Highlights include the single "Fake My Own Death", "There Will Be Blood", the anthemic "Twisted By Design" and the title track "13 Voices", but seriously, this album is cracking throughout, so I won't go into too much singling out any in particular, just song-after-song great!

For anyone that has wrote them off, only knows Sum 41 for the career-breaking singles, or hasn't really kept up to speed with the band, this really is a fantastic re-introduction, and well worth a listen!

Bad Brains - Bad Brains

Bad Brains are nothing short of legendary so it's kinda hard to sum this up in two paragraphs or so. I have to admit that I am a recent convert to this group. I've always been a fan of dub reggae and the like but not so much hardcore punk, but as time is quickly ticking away the hours of my life I have grown something of an appreciation for the genre, and Bad Brains meld the two together almost perfectly on their 1982 self-titled debut.

A stand out track in the punk style would have to be "Attitude", or maybe "Fearless Vampire Killers", and for the reggae style stuff you literally cannot top "Leaving Babylon"; which for me is easily the best track on the entire record with it's woeful lyrics set to a strangely upbeat bass line.

If you are as late to the party as I am I implore you to give this a spin. 

Human Touch - Human Touch

Wow, this fucking rules! Human Touch is some insane shit, playing grind-speed hardcore punk with frenetic, worryingly spastic female vocals. Imagine mixing Minor Threat with Despite You, or something. I'd absolutely love to see this band perform live, because after only 5 songs (only one which has any substantial length) I'm left a little shocked, and most definitely wanting more. 

The sound is spot on; definitely paying homage to true hardcore production styles of old but incorporating modern clarity. There's nothing worse than losing amazing grind or hardcore in a muddy, shitty mix, and thankfully that doesn't happen here. Apparently this EP was recorded in an attic apartment, so kudos to whoever recorded it, because it sounds great. 

I'll shut up now. Just make sure you press play.