Right, let’s get one thing straight from the top. Useless ID are more than Ataris rip-off merchants. Infact, anybody that suggests this Israeli crew sound anything remotely like the Ataris is quite possibly deaf. There is only one Kris Roe, and this lot, despite being pretty darn good, are no match for Santa Barbara’s finest.
Indeed, Useless ID sound much more like No Use For A Name crossed with Ten Foot Pole. Smeared in melted Lagwagon. “Another Bad Taste” is so similar to “Chasing Rainbows” from the last No Use CD that it borders on infringement of copyright. But despite borrowing heavily from a large chunk of the So Cal punk scene, this mob certainly have enough in their own arsenal to hold their own.
With emo, heartfelt lyrics ahoy, it would be easy to pass this off as just another emo/punk CD. But it is slightly better than that. Opener “At The Stadium” is fast and furious punk rock, reminiscent of MxPx with the breakdowns between verse and chorus. “No Time For Me To Be A Teenager” may be as cliched as they come, but it sounds good, there’s no denying it. “Presents” starts off like “Reckless Abandon” from the new Blink 182 CD, before eerily going off into No Use For A Name territory. The drums seem to borrow from Lagwagon songs, and it does have a sense of sounding very familiar. But that is because the songs are instant and catchy, as much as it is because you’ve heard it all before.
“Just Friends” sounds like The Ataris a bit musically, but again, it sounds like the No Use singer has hijacked the vocals. “Oh, My Guard” is fast and frenetic, and a bit like Bigwig. But better. “Day By Day” sounds like Lagwagon. It’s a great song, but the drumming is once again ‘stolen’ from the “Lets Talk About Feelings” CD.
“Nothing Logical In This Lifetime” slows the pace slightly, before “Note” picks it up again. But wait, haven’t we just heard this song? And isn’t it that Lagwagon drum beat? Again! “Far From Distance” does sound like an Ataris cast-off, but that is no bad thing, seeing as though Kris Roe could make someone farting in the bath sound good. “Operation New Years” is Ten Foot Pole. Sorry, boys, it is so much like TFP that they really should sue. Closer, “A Year To Forget” is the album’s highlight. A beautiful song, but again, you’re left thinking where you have heard it before. Hmmm…
At fifteen songs and just 33 minutes, this is short. But if you like emo/punk, and cannot wait for the next No Use CD, give this lot a listen. It’s easy to like, even if it probably isn’t the greatest album ever, and it does borrow way too much from its peers. Buy it and make up your own mind…