Holy Shit its almost 2020 already? Where the hell have I been? Oh that’s right here writing album reviews till the cows come home. Well over 2019, CPRA has accomplished a shit ton. We wrote over 70 news, reviews and concert related items, started our own TV show, and started CPRA Skates! Don’t forget also our team up with AKA Just Miggy and The Kids Are Alright All Ages At Goosetown! On that note don’t miss the next Kids Show with the Potato Pirates on December 15, 2019, 2pm! Check out my Top 5 List of the year below!
Favorite Tracks: Sweetly, Punk Rock Frank, Chardonnay Shakes, Everything To Me, Sounds Like: Nova Kicks, The Lillingtons, Alkaline Trio, and The Flatliners
A few weeks ago I ran into a local band member.. We discussed how the Ft Collins production company the Blasting Room is putting out a ton of great local music. Check out our tags from Blasting room posts here. In our discussion in became way too apparent that CPRA must have a Blasting Room show here in Denver for our bands that have recorded with the company.
Let’s jump to today. I get word that Denver’s Vegas Valley Drive has dropped a new album, “Kentucky Lawnmower” and it was recorded at the Blasting Room! So we’ve been around a few years and watched some bands grow like Bury MIA, Stray The Course and Vegas Valley Drive. It fills this writer with pride when the albums they produce come out. Let’s check out the new Vegas’s record!
The record begins with, “All The Difference”. It comes in with some great chord strikes on guitar. I love how the guitar drifts out into a few notes alone. Lyrically this song is catchy and fun. The next track is “Sweetly”. This is by far my favorite track on the album. Have you ever had a huge crush on someone and turn into a mumbling moron when they talk to you?
I’ve been there too many times to count. I see huge potential for this track. Don’t be surprised if this track ends up on the radio. It definitely needs a great music video to accompany the wonderful story line. Up next is, “Brake Park Reverse”. This track really reminds of Big Head Todd and The Monsters, although much faster and harder.
Do you have a friend who claims his punk cred to everyone every 5 minutes? “Punk Rock Frank” is that guy and that song. The singer sounds like, Les Claypool from Primus. Not sure if that’s what they were going for, but I love it. In one word the song is hilarious. “Holding On” follows and takes on a more serious tone. This track has potential as well. The lyrics are catching, hooks are strong, and the melody addicting.
“Wake Up Call”, sounds very comparable to The Lillingtons. The message is conveyed by some great vocals and a great bass line. Another favorite track is up next, “Chardonnay Shakes”. The song is introduced with a famous quote from Neverending Story. Already I kind of want to cry just thinking about the Atrex. Anyhow we shall proceed!
This track is one small step away from going metal. The extreme power chords, mini guitar solos, bass edge provide a ballad like atmosphere. If this track becomes popular. You read it here first! Let’s slow it down and go acoustic. “Everything To Me” is next and you will be sure to hear this one at the next wedding you attend. It’s beautiful. Yet another hit?
Let’s speed things back up with “Anesthetic Paramedic”. This song has a sweet skate punk edge to it. The bass is strong with some sweeping guitar hooks. The drum work is excellent. “Powers”, follows again following a skatepunk like sound. I could be wrong, but I think this track refers to the Power Rangers? Haha I have no idea, but this track kicks ass.
“Sober Elbow” is next. This one is super catchy. This track is for all the people when drunk think they are superheroes. They think they can leap tall buildings, but usually land on their face. The chords are remarkable. The last song on the album is “Punk On The Radio”. It has some great pop punk melodies, lyrically simple, but so much fun.
Well there you have it. Vegas Valley Drive’s, “Kentucky Lawnmower”, is a trip through some fantastic music with all right hooks and guilty pleasures pop punk. Fans of alternative in general will definitely want to give this one a listen. This record should be hitting all major streamers here soon. You can purchase the record here, https://store.cdbaby.com/cd/vegasvalleydrive.
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Production: Recorded & Mixed by Bart McCrorey at The Crash Pad Studio
Mastered by Jason Livermore at The Blasting Room
Favorite Tracks: Uninvited , Left For Dead, Empty Chorus, Transient, Too Old To Punk, Money Well Spent, The Catcher, Bad Sounds
Sounds Like: Descendants, Teenage Bottlerocket, No Use For A Name, H20, Over Time, Madball, and Gorilla Biscuits
The New Narrative dropped, “Story So Far” on 7/18/2019. CPRA is currently blowing up with booking and promotion requests. We are having a hard time getting back to our roots recently. What is CPRA’s Mission/Roots? That’s you Denver. Sure Rhino isn’t 5 Points anymore. You are now far more likely to get bit by a purse dog before being mugged. Tarantulas now serves hipsters IPA’s instead of drugs. Not that it ever did, just that it was kinda scary sometimes.
Let’s talk about something still present in Denver and cities around the world. Its punk, sure it’s gone through a huge evolution. Who knows, maybe soon there will be a scene of “Old Town Road Punks”. One thing hasn’t changed, skate punk and how much we love it. Hell we love it so much we started our own CPRA Skates!
The album starts with, “Uninvited”. Get your kicks on and grab your board. The track is fast, with perfectly well timed, “Whoas”. It’s catchy and we can easily relate to the meaning. Oh did I mention they’re playing with legends, Agnostic Front at the Oriental?
The next track is “Bad Sounds”. I love Darin ’s vocals on this song. The pure and raw emotion is evident throughout while Anthony and Dray are shredding it on guitar. This is by far one of my personal favorite tracks. You can listen to ”Bad Sounds” below and be sure to check out the hilarious interview with Bart.
“Left For Dead” is up next. This track is dark and fast asf! Hit the pit and the hardcore comes full force! Marco’s drums are insanely quick. This track has an old school 87-92 Gorilla Biscuits like sound. Next up is another favorite, “Empty Chorus”. This track feels deeper lyrically. The timing is spot on. George’s bass lines though a bit hidden are thumping. Turn this one up! This track needs a video!
“Loose Ends” follows and screams as it flows in. Yet it slows down into more of anthem/ballad type track. The writing on this track is phenomenal. The change up is unexpected, yet perfectly executed. I’m happy I’m not in a place where I’m trying to tie up loose ends in a relationship. That sucks! “Transient”, brings back the energy and speed. This track reminds me early Suicidal, and bring that nostalgic feel. “Try To Feel Alive, While You’re Dead Inside”, try forgetting those lyrics haha!
Ok next up is the ultimate Dad Punk song and another favorite, Too Old To Punk”. Not only does this track kickass, but it’s true. I get within 2 feet of a pit and I’m leaving with broken bones. The track is so damn catchy. Punk Tacos play this shit! “Money Well Spent”, follows with another catchy almost pop punk, yet harder. This is an old fashioned drinking song, speaking on that, “You look like you would like to buy me a drink!” Bust out that air guitar now!
“We Might Be Horrible” is next. This pogo worthy song is driven on angst and I love it! Sadly the last track is up next, “The Catcher”. From the drum intro, I’m already hooked. This is the perfect song to finish out an excellent album. In reflection this record will be spinning constantly on my player. The New Narrative is not only a powerfully talented band, but their ability to cross genres is admirable. So pick up that board, and pop on, “Story So Far”.
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Best of 2018 Albums and Ep/Lp Picks by CPRA’s Skabones
It’s been a crazy year here at CPRA. We’ve reviewed so much amazing music this year. We debuted our very first show, “Happy Skanksgiving” at Tennyson Tap. By the way our last show of the year, “Merry Punxmas” is on December 29, 2018. I know we all get a bit tired of these end of the year lists. As admins we all couldn’t possibly agree on overall favorites. So we are going to individually announce our own personal picks.
We reviewed almost 100 albums in 2018. So picking only a few was very tough on me. Happy Holiday and don’t let Krampus get ya! Be sure to pick up a CPRA shirt, patch, or sticker before Christmas! Email soon if you want one by Christmas!
Recorded and Mixed: The Blasting Room, Ft Collins CO, by Andrew Berlin
Mastered by: Jason Livermore.
Favorite Tracks: Faith (No More), Houston, You Haven’t Fooled Me, and A Mission To Civilize
Sounds Like: Bottom Bracket, Bad Brains, H2O, Dead Kennedys, Fair Do’s, System Restore, Sepultura, Corrosion of Conformity, and Slayer
The Blasting Room continues to produce some amazing and epic music. I love this little snippet from their website, “The Blasting Room was built in 1994 by members of Descendents, ALL, and Black Flag, and is located two miles from Historic Old Town Fort Collins. Our skilled and experienced staff have over 80 years of combined experience in the recording industry, and a vast collection of state of the art and vintage recording gear at their fingertips”.
That’s a pretty sweet fucking story. I have no doubt The Blasting Room is helping put the Colorado Music Scene on the map. Last week reviewed, Colorado punks, Came And Took It – “Resume”.
This week I’m proud to introduce yet another epic recording from the Blasting Room, I Am The Owl – “A Mission to Civilize: Part II”. This album comes hot off the heels of their 2016 release, “A Mission to Civilize: Part I”. This album has a great origin story behind it. The band was granted the Misha Wish grant and the Colorado Creative Industries, Career Advancement Award. Per the band without these awards/Grants the new album wouldn’t have made it.
It’s amazing that Colorado has such badass organizations to help bands put out new material. So let’s get into, “A Mission To Civilize Part II”. The album kicks off with ‘Faith (No More)’. This song really sets the tone for such a kick ass album.
It’s heavy and fast paced. The drums and vocals are the highlight for me. The lyrics are really deep, while guitars absolutely shred!
“By now it’s clear I don’t get the joke
And I’m regretting that I ever spoke
When everything is motivated by lust
We’ve run out of other people to trust”
‘Houston’, is up next on the list. This one continues the dark tone combined with 2 awesome vocalists! This one will get any metal and punk fan heading for the pit. Prepare your neck, this one is brutal! This one is my personal favorite on the album. ‘Rattlesnakes’, follows with more of an H2O sound. Clearly I Am The Owl knows how to please rockers of any genre. The drums are fucking nuts on this track! ‘You Haven’t Fooled Me’, starts with a kick ass guitar solo. It’s pure shred for those skaters and stoner rock folks. I love the main riff on this one.
‘New Horizon’ is up next on the record. This one will be another pit favorite. I find it truly unique the blending of punk and metal these guys bring. The vocals seem to be almost unreachable by the human voice. ‘A Mission To Civilize’, follows this to end out out the ep. This is probably my second favorite on the ep. This song kicks serious ass!
Overall, I Am The Owl’s new record is amazing. The guitars, bass, drums, and vocals are perfectly in sync throughout. This one could easily fit into any punks or metalheads collection. The coolest about them is their ability to switch from hardcore to metal in a heartbeat. Skater’s you’re definitely gonna want to pick this one up!
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