Frigate
Blow Me Down
»
Frigate
Blow Me Down
Spinning, 2000
RiYL: Ramones, The Buzzcocks, Babes in Toyland |
With a sound that would be welcome in the '70s at the likes of CBGB, Frigate's retro style is like a boot stomping on the neck of punk-lite bands like Blink 182 and Green Day. Linda Bean and Tim Gillis are a one-two punch on vocals, which snarl over the rhythm-heavy punk riffs. Bean's brother John adds a driving beat that grabs you in a headlock and never lets go. The album attacks with scorching, two-minute punk songs that make up the most sonically charged 29 minutes I've heard in a while.
Like with most Boston bands, a little melodic pop finds its way into the mix, but it is easily overpowered by the band's punk sensibilities. The one negative to the album is that most of the songs sound the same, but that is a typical problem for punk bands. Here, the simplicity of the songs only enhances the emotion and angst present in the lyrics.
Frigate is a true punk band with a sound that may not be current anymore, but since when is it cool for a punk band to be mainstream? With Frigate's help, true punk may rise again, but I hope not because it is better when it is underground and angry. I don't think we need any more acoustic ballads from punk bands, do you?
KEVIN MAURER |