Darren McLeod
02/16/06, 08:24 PM
Brunt Of It started back in 1995, and their first full length was released back in 1997. Their latest release, Certain Uncertainty, is only the second album that they've released. This lack of output from the band has resulted in a sound that is very much rooted in the skate punk and ska of the mid-90's. Of course, this works to both benefit and detract from the experience of listening to the CD. On the one hand, if you have already become sick of that sound, this probably won't interest you much. However, if you're yearning for a band that brings to mind the heyday of the 90's punk sound, Brunt Of It might be what you're looking for.
The band manages to show some diversity in their sound by drifting back and forth in style from aggressive tracks influenced by oldschool hardcore to those more influenced by third-wave ska. Though the ska influence doesn't come out nearly enough on Certain Uncertainty, when it does the album really takes off. The fantastic "Daddy's Little Boy" features a throbbing bassline and infectious "whoa-oh's" which provide the backbone for singer Boofish's best performance on the album, and memorable humorous politcal lyrics that discuss the relationship between George W. Bush and George Sr: "Went to college - Daddy thought it was right, Like a perfect frat boy, partied every night. You squeaked by - the bottom of your class, Daddy's taking care of you, he's covering your ass!"
The biggest problem that Brunt of It have is escaping the repetition in their sound. The songs, particularly in the latter half, start to drag together and are not distinct enough to differentiate themselves from one another. The times when they venture out from their typical sound is when they excel, but they don't do it nearly often enough. Nonetheless, the album is a solid offering of old school punk rock that will definitely delight fans of the genre, though probably won't convert those who didn't like it a decade ago.
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Band Website: http://www.bruntofit.com
Band PureVolume Site: http://www.purevolume.com/bruntofit
The band manages to show some diversity in their sound by drifting back and forth in style from aggressive tracks influenced by oldschool hardcore to those more influenced by third-wave ska. Though the ska influence doesn't come out nearly enough on Certain Uncertainty, when it does the album really takes off. The fantastic "Daddy's Little Boy" features a throbbing bassline and infectious "whoa-oh's" which provide the backbone for singer Boofish's best performance on the album, and memorable humorous politcal lyrics that discuss the relationship between George W. Bush and George Sr: "Went to college - Daddy thought it was right, Like a perfect frat boy, partied every night. You squeaked by - the bottom of your class, Daddy's taking care of you, he's covering your ass!"
The biggest problem that Brunt of It have is escaping the repetition in their sound. The songs, particularly in the latter half, start to drag together and are not distinct enough to differentiate themselves from one another. The times when they venture out from their typical sound is when they excel, but they don't do it nearly often enough. Nonetheless, the album is a solid offering of old school punk rock that will definitely delight fans of the genre, though probably won't convert those who didn't like it a decade ago.
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Band Website: http://www.bruntofit.com
Band PureVolume Site: http://www.purevolume.com/bruntofit