1997-
On The Run (Victory Records)
1997 fuse potent songwriting with an assortment
of influences from Blink 182 to Elvis Costello.
"On The Run" plays like a seamless
yet diverse song cycle, and it celebrates
the past as much as it does the future. Wearing
your influence on your sleeve can sometimes
sabotage the things you are trying to accomplish.
But when those influences are part of those
mentioned above, and you're backing that up
with quality songs, and what has the potential
to be a ripping live show, than the musicians
in 1997 have a great head start.
A lot of band's fall as fast or faster
than they rise, but 1997 pack an explosive
punch into each song. The album sounds, and
feels like a connected group of hit singles.
The production and infectious melodies offset
the lyrics of alienation, love, loss, and
redemption. Another thing that 1997 has going
for them is, throughout the album weaved into
just the right places are angular guitar riffs
that add emphasis to these
musical stories. Not standard pop punk arrangements,
they add that special 'something extra' that
make a good album great. - Phil Rainone
Beat
Union - Disconnected (myspace.com/sciencerecords)
Having been chosen as one of the bands to perform
at the kickoff party for the Warped Tour as
it starts to work its way from the Left Coast,
and to also get a slot on the Tour itself, is
pretty impressive. But the burning question
on your (and my) mind is, "Does the music
live up to the hype?" Well, I think this
is one of the best albums you're bound to hear
all year. All at once semisweet, uplifting,
and hard punching, this is the record for those
of us that are hard-bitten optimists. Those
who have seen the worst that the world can do,
but also see how even small, positive changes
can affect things in a big way. Take the engaging
lift that Dave Warsop’s voice and lyrics
have. "Disconnected" is an album full
of heartfelt yet feisty conversations between
the band (Luke Johnson- drums, Dean Ashton-
guitar, and Ade Preston- bass) and the listener.
Songs like the title cut, "Pressure Zone,"
and "Stay On The Line" will easily
touch your current state of mind. Give this
album a spin on a rainy (or sunny) day and watch
as every melody becomes wrapped around your
brain. If you're a fan of the bright harmonies
of Elvis Costello via The Beatles and Beach
Boys, than you'll have no trouble plunking down
a few of your hard earned bucks to purchase
this disc. This is a solid album full of great
songs with hooks and attitude. - Phil Rainone
True
Rumor - Songs From The Turnpike Road (myspace.com/truerumor)
Though hardly revivalist, this is True Rumor’s
third album after a long hiatus -- they released
two albums back in the 80's. The NY based
quartet’s comeback abounds with unrepentant
classic rock hooks, with generous servings
of ringing choruses, bright guitar splashes,
and endearingly ragged harmonies. Sweetly
stunning, sensitve-but-not-wimpy pop-rock
tunes like "JT" or their theme song
"True Rumor" are standouts, but
the whole album is equally adept with rock
songs like "Not A Day Goes By,"
or "42 Miles." After 20 years apart,
this is an immensely likable effort that looks
back at some points, but always focuses on
the future. It's good to see a band that can
pick up almost where they left off, but also
use the past as reflective inspiration. It
sounds like True Rumor had a good time making
"Songs From The Turnpike Road,"
and that should inspire their live show. -
Phil Rainone
CD Reviews 
