Chris Fallon
07/31/09, 04:17 AM
American Steel - Dear Friends and Gentle Hearts
Record Label: Fat Wreck Chords
Release Date: July 21, 2009
Whether near a campfire or on a road trip, American Steel ought to be providing your soundtrack. Making quite the leap from their early days in the ska-universe, the band has gone to show that not all pop music has to be shimmering like when Sherry Bobbins "butt-waxed" the banister. Girls and fashion don't have to run your life -- pop music can actually be pretty low-key, believe it or not. Muscular pop music has proven to be a successful career move with every band from Journey to Genesis to Green Day. While American Steel might not carry the clout those bands have shown to maintain in terms of mainstream success up the wazoo, the Oakland foursome proves on their fifth full-length record, Dear Friends and Gentle Hearts, that the melodic part in "melodic punk" is certainly fitting.
For longtime fans who have been with the band since their days on Lookout Records, heed the following advice: if you did not like the turn that Alkaline Trio or Green Day took after gaining some notoriety, shuffle your feet back to whatever wacky world you live in. You see, here, we like a little change every so often, and if that means seeing your favorite hometown band going from sloppy ska-punk to super-sized pop hooks then so be it. Since their return in 2007 after a six-year hiatus, American Steel have proven that despite time away, one never truly loses their sheen -- especially if it has always remained under the surface.
Opening the album with the boot-stomping "Emergency House Party," it's clear that Rory Henderson is no longer your punk rock stereotype: he doesn't come across as a raspy-voiced "orgcore" stereotype -- he actually sings with a great amount of feeling and tamed aggression. Believe it or not, American Steel have developed a fuller, softer sound that is best portrayed in "Finally Alone," which could potentially cause some fans to stop and audibly gasp. The song is incredibly controlled and rather orchestral, substituting much of the punk for a credible shot at topping the charts. "Meals & Entertainment" is another track that feels less influenced by '80's hardcore and more by harmonious classic pop; and the title track is like R.E.M. playing playing Dillinger Four.
For some, it might be a perplexing change, but fear not: American Steel haven't dropped the punk act entirely; they just conceal it at times in order to dutifully succeed as a band pushing their tuneful souls. "Tear the Place Apart" drops a booze-chanting anthem into the mix and "Lights Out" is a subdued number that feels like it's building toward a much larger track. "Your Ass Ain't Laughing Now" is a jubilant country-inspired cut, and "From Here to Hell" is pure laid-back confection until it rips into a stunning punk hook that would have made 1995 Green Day proud (the track could easily be placed on Insomniac and not skipped a beat).
Proving that sticking to formula isn't always a wise choice, American Steel is throwing sand into the fire and starting the whole thing over. Their strengths have always been their admiration for melodic material, and just because they've decided to expand their influence doesn't mean it will prevent the flow of creativity. Following many of their Bay Area brethren, American Steel is making music for the working man -- because that's who they are, and that's who they care about.
Green Day's Warning; Alkaline Trio's Agony and Irony; The Loved Ones' Build and Burn"Dear Friends and Gentle Hearts," "Emergency House Party" and "Finally Alone"
1. Emergency House Party
2. Tear The Place Apart
3. Safe and Sound
4. Your Ass Ain't Laughing Now
5. The Blood Gets Everywhere
6. From Here to Hell
7. Dear Friends and Gentle Hearts
8. Lights Out
9. Bergamot
10. Where You Want To Be
11. Finally Alone
12. Meals & EntertainmentRory Henderson: vocals/guitar
John Peck: bass/vocals
Scott Healy: drums
Ryan Massey: guitar/vocals
Official Site (http://www.americansteel.org/news.php) | Official Myspace (http://www.myspace.com/amsteel)Amazon MP3 (http://www.amazon.com/Dear-Friends-And-Gentle-Hearts/dp/B002H3Y0PE)
Record Label: Fat Wreck Chords
Release Date: July 21, 2009
Whether near a campfire or on a road trip, American Steel ought to be providing your soundtrack. Making quite the leap from their early days in the ska-universe, the band has gone to show that not all pop music has to be shimmering like when Sherry Bobbins "butt-waxed" the banister. Girls and fashion don't have to run your life -- pop music can actually be pretty low-key, believe it or not. Muscular pop music has proven to be a successful career move with every band from Journey to Genesis to Green Day. While American Steel might not carry the clout those bands have shown to maintain in terms of mainstream success up the wazoo, the Oakland foursome proves on their fifth full-length record, Dear Friends and Gentle Hearts, that the melodic part in "melodic punk" is certainly fitting.
For longtime fans who have been with the band since their days on Lookout Records, heed the following advice: if you did not like the turn that Alkaline Trio or Green Day took after gaining some notoriety, shuffle your feet back to whatever wacky world you live in. You see, here, we like a little change every so often, and if that means seeing your favorite hometown band going from sloppy ska-punk to super-sized pop hooks then so be it. Since their return in 2007 after a six-year hiatus, American Steel have proven that despite time away, one never truly loses their sheen -- especially if it has always remained under the surface.
Opening the album with the boot-stomping "Emergency House Party," it's clear that Rory Henderson is no longer your punk rock stereotype: he doesn't come across as a raspy-voiced "orgcore" stereotype -- he actually sings with a great amount of feeling and tamed aggression. Believe it or not, American Steel have developed a fuller, softer sound that is best portrayed in "Finally Alone," which could potentially cause some fans to stop and audibly gasp. The song is incredibly controlled and rather orchestral, substituting much of the punk for a credible shot at topping the charts. "Meals & Entertainment" is another track that feels less influenced by '80's hardcore and more by harmonious classic pop; and the title track is like R.E.M. playing playing Dillinger Four.
For some, it might be a perplexing change, but fear not: American Steel haven't dropped the punk act entirely; they just conceal it at times in order to dutifully succeed as a band pushing their tuneful souls. "Tear the Place Apart" drops a booze-chanting anthem into the mix and "Lights Out" is a subdued number that feels like it's building toward a much larger track. "Your Ass Ain't Laughing Now" is a jubilant country-inspired cut, and "From Here to Hell" is pure laid-back confection until it rips into a stunning punk hook that would have made 1995 Green Day proud (the track could easily be placed on Insomniac and not skipped a beat).
Proving that sticking to formula isn't always a wise choice, American Steel is throwing sand into the fire and starting the whole thing over. Their strengths have always been their admiration for melodic material, and just because they've decided to expand their influence doesn't mean it will prevent the flow of creativity. Following many of their Bay Area brethren, American Steel is making music for the working man -- because that's who they are, and that's who they care about.
Green Day's Warning; Alkaline Trio's Agony and Irony; The Loved Ones' Build and Burn"Dear Friends and Gentle Hearts," "Emergency House Party" and "Finally Alone"
1. Emergency House Party
2. Tear The Place Apart
3. Safe and Sound
4. Your Ass Ain't Laughing Now
5. The Blood Gets Everywhere
6. From Here to Hell
7. Dear Friends and Gentle Hearts
8. Lights Out
9. Bergamot
10. Where You Want To Be
11. Finally Alone
12. Meals & EntertainmentRory Henderson: vocals/guitar
John Peck: bass/vocals
Scott Healy: drums
Ryan Massey: guitar/vocals
Official Site (http://www.americansteel.org/news.php) | Official Myspace (http://www.myspace.com/amsteel)Amazon MP3 (http://www.amazon.com/Dear-Friends-And-Gentle-Hearts/dp/B002H3Y0PE)