UK label turned LA-based (albeit temporarily), Brand New Hero Records have come up with an interesting, and varied, record for their new release. ‘Casino Chips and Sunset Strips’ features four reasonably unheard-of US abnds and looks set to launch them on a relatively unprepared UK audience. The Silence, Army of Freshmen, Split Habit and Suburban Legends might not be household names now, but there’s a fair chance you will have heard of them soon. But, does this 12-tracker (3 songs per band) hit the spot?
As with any compilation of this type, there’s going to be bands that do it for you and others that don’t. ‘Casino Chips…’ actually starts badly and gets better with every band. Orange County five-piece The Silence kick things off with an uninspiring and bland post-hardcore sound which really lacks the bite to make any kind of impact. As far as openings go, ‘Amalie (The Dead Boy)’ starts with a whimper rather than a bang, and while ‘Too Mnay Questions’ is better, it still isn’t enough to set the world alight. Enter Army of Freshman, a Californian sextet who throw moog‘s and keyboards into the fray like the batsrd offspring of Hellogoodbye and Motion City Soundtrack. Already loved by Jarrett of Bowling For Soup fame, it’s not too difficult to see why they are big in their home state, with catchy choruses and lovely moog-inspired fun. ‘Get Um Up’ is one of the best tracks here, proving that the keys revival really is underway.
Things get better still with the punchiness of Chicago’s Split habit, signed up to Mike Felumlee’s (ex Alkaline Trio) Double Zero label. Having already recorded with Sean O’Keefe (Punchline and Fallout Boy) you can tell what direction these guys are heading in. The tracks are lighter, poppier and catchier still than the two previous bands, and although tracks like ‘Ladykiller’ are cheesier than a packet of Edam, it’s all in the name of good fun. Best is saved for last however, with the fantastic Suburban Legends really lighting up this record. Pop-ska in a similar vein to that of mates Reel Big Fish, ‘Autumn in the Park‘ is better than anything Aaron and co have come up with in the last 18-months. If you like cheerful ska with plenty of hooks and brass, then SL are really the band for you.
‘Casino Chips…’ is a real mixed bag, but there’s plenty of variety on offer here too. The CD gets progressively better, so don’t fret if The Silence aren’t your thing. If you’re after something new, you could do worse than to pick this CD up.
http://www.brandnewhero.com
Paul