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Thursday, 09 April 2009 07:47 | 
Author: The Grouch | 
My friend GabeO turned me onto these guys right after he gave me a copy of The Lillingtons album The Too Late Show. As usual GabeO's taste is pretty good. The story I heard was that the singer from The Lillingtons also fronted this band. Seeing how much I enjoyed their particular brand of Cow-Punk, I thought I'd give Teenage Bottlerocket a listen. It just so happened that emusic.com has their LP Total available for download so here it is (as if anyone really thought "Boy I wish that Gaijin dude would write another review...)
First of all - this is definitely a Punk record. So chances are if you don't like:
1. Really fast music
2. Really loud music
3. Often funny often just plain weird lyrics
Then you will not like this album. Additionally if you are the type of fan that wants to hear what interesting things the band can do with an oddball time signature or want to hear really complicated Santana like solos you won't like this album. If on the other hand you like music that is loud, confrontational, fast and generally designed to make those who are not part of the tribe nervous while at the same time expressing the timeless truths of sadness at the absence of a loved one then you might like this album.
Track 1 - Radio - two minutes and twenty three seconds of fast chords with the refrain RADIO -OH RADIO -OH. I like the drums at the beginning. It's a pretty good song. I hear the Ramones in this band. The solo is catchy. Fast drum rolls.
Track 2 - So Cool - the music rocks. I like the drummer a lot - another melodic solo which is nice. The lyrics are really good. The mocking words of a guy telling some girl she is so cool - and a tease to boot. Please tell me you'll never go away because if you do I'M coming after you hmmmm a poetic stalker.
Track 3 - Stupid Games - I really like the intro which leads into a blazing drum roll - I really like this song. You confessed your love for me and now you're telling all your friends I'm the anti-Christ. Can you quit fucking with my brain. You are out to drive me insane.Why would I want to play these stupid fucking games with you. You got to love it. Who hasn't had love go bad? Great song.
Track 4 - Fall For Me - a boy longs for a girl and pledges to do whatever she wants, if only she'll be with him. Punk love - really fast drums blend nicely with a rather melodic and tender chorus - I want you to fall for me - ohhh ohhh - I want you to fall for me.
Track 5 - Crashing - killer drums and guitar in the intro. I like the really tight breaks that provide a moment's rest between machine gun like syncopated riffs. I have no idea what he is singing.
Track 6 - Lost In Space - I can tell by the look on your face you are fucking lost in space - Another good song with entertaining lyrics. This song is just so infectious. I like it.
Track 7 - Go Away - man these guys don't quit. Another blitzkrieg of fast drums and ripping guitar. The lyrics are funny as well - I love you when you go away - sounds like he is talking about the same chick he mentioned in Stupid Games. The drums are really cool at the end.
Track 8 - Rebound - Another energetic track Did you have to give your boyfriend all my letters? I didn't know he is 6ft 8 - these guys crack me up. Nice bubble gum hand claps at the end.
Track 9 - Bloodbath at Burger King - really nice guitar - There will come a day when I make those fuckers pay - Bloodbath at Burger King. Check out the perfect video to accompany this song.
Track 10 - Veronica - Really cool drums on this track - A good song.
Track 11 - Repeat Offender - interesting start with someone saying Repeat Offender before a long repetition of the band playing while the singer sings Repeat Offender. It sounds like the stalker is back. Repeat Offender Repeat Offender Repeat Offender
Track 12 - A Bomb - Cool intro - I hear the Ramones on this song. The guitar line is good - It reminds me of I want to live by the Ramones.
Track 13 - So Far Away - Another love song, but a good one. It reminds me of Social Distortion.
All in all 3 out of 5 scowls - definitely worth a listen.