| CD REVIEW Reno Divorce |
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Band : Reno Divorce This Pop Punk band was originally founded in Orlando (FL) during 1996. After a few small releases (1997’s EP Web Of Lies, issued through Bomb Records; and 1998’s 7-inch vinyl single All Throttle, No Bottle, through Skankin’ Skull Records) the band moved to Denver (CO) in 2000. They then signed to Boss Tuneage (hey, ain’t that a UK based label?) through which they released the full-length albums Naysayers And Yesman (2002) and You’re Only Making It Worse (2003), plus the 2004 EP Laugh Now Cry Later. In 2004 Street Anthem Records issued a compilation containing the 2002 album and the 2004 EP (making both available in the US for the first time), but in fact, it’s been quite a while since the band released any new material! Obviously, they’ve toured the US several times (they even jumped onto the 2004 Van’s Warped Tour), but also visited Europe in 2002 & 2004. Their material has gained rave reviews in magazines worldwide, the band’s been nominated in 2005, 2006, 2008 & 2009 for “Best Punk Band In Denver” in that town’s Westworld magazine, and they’ve also been Top 10 finalists in the 2007 & 2008 93.3 KTCL Hometown For The Holidays contests. In between, the band came across some troubles…loss of loved ones, serious illness, broken down vans, major injury, cancelled tour dates, mental breakdowns, and even the brief hiatus of one of its longest running members. When everything finally settled down, mainstays Brent Loveday (vocals, lead guitar) and Andrew Erich (drums) along with 5-year “veteran” Tim Jadowski (bass, backing vocals) added Tye Battistella (guitar, backing vocals) to their line-up, and started working on new material. They entered the world famous Blasting Room Studios in October 2007 with engineer Jason Livermore, and came out with the basic tracks to 14 new songs. Stylistically, the band went through a (positive?) evolution, adding more straight-up Rock influences, and a fair portion of catchieness. But as the material is also the result of the dark times the band went though, there’s also a couple of songs during which they’re heavier than ever before (this info coming from the band’s MySpace page, as I personally have no material to compare things to). To me personally, it just sounds like Melodic Pop Punk…with some really nice moments (great lead guitar runs, occasional hints of influences from outside the strict “Punk” world, etc…), but also with a couple of songs that had me raise my eyebrows every time I heard the lyrics (check “All Show, No Go!”). I mean, originally Punk music was a confrontational means against social injustices, then Emo came and invaded the scene, and eventually Punks were writing songs about their sexual frustrations! Damn, it all used to be about Respect, and I feel this band occasionally lacks that! Oh well, I’m obviously not too impressed, although I’ll say the band plays nice tunes (heard it all before a zillion times!). To promote the album, the band was over in Europe during Summer (for a tour which was cut short due to circumstances beyond the band’s control), and they’ll be back come Nov.21, touring with U.S. Bombs…with dates in Germany, Austria, Czech Republic, Switzerland, Italy, and the UK, the band also plays Holland at Eindhoven’s Speedfest on Nov. 28, and Belgium at Antwerp’s Trix on Dec. 4. Time enough for you to check out some songs at myspace.com/renodivorceonlinecom: there’s no less than 5! off the new album, plus a selection of 5 other songs off their older albums. In case you were planning to go see U.S.Bombs anyway, you’ll be able to sing-along some of the support act’s songs as well! 79/100 Tony. |