Style 43

There is no room for introductions on this album, straight into vocals, then smashing into guitars, this record jumps right at you in true punk rock style. The vocals of Dave Hause have a classic graveley sound and work perfectly with the familiar guitars and simple drums, and whilst these aren’t the most original, you will find yourself unable to keep still as this album progresses. After interviewing these guys backstage at Brixton Academy only a few months ago and talking through this album, its clear they have achieved what they were aiming for, and in my opinion, they had well & truely seen it through until the final days of recording.

After two bursting tracks at the start of the record, ‘The Bridge’ is track number three with a different pace and sound with shouting vocals and a more mellow beat and chorus. Its the lyrics from this song which the album title was taken, “In all the years I’ve been struggling, I’ve been haunted at every turn, I fight the fear as I’m growing old, and remember in all that I’ve learned that we build & burn”.

Having toured in the past with bands such as NOFX & Bouncing Souls its obvious that The Loved Ones have their hearts firmly in place in the punk rock scene, this album brings some gorgeous melodies and shows that they are a band full of potential. Theres a burst of piano at the end of track number 6, ‘Selfish Masquerade’ and whilst this is a great song the piano is far too under-played, (or maybe I’m just a sucker for some keys). The rest of the album continues at a similar pace, full of catchy riffs and sing-along lyrics, this will be a sure-fire hit with anyone in to this genre who gives it a moments’ listen.

‘3rd shift’/track number 7, is one of those heart-warming, shout-along-anthem-types, lets face it, every punk rock album should have one. As this album comes to an end with strong tracks such as ‘Louisiana’ and ‘Lauras Game’, its the final track ‘I swear’ which really does it for me. This is a beautiful song about friendship and love and reading the album sleeve I notice the album title in the lyrics once again, ‘I’ll love you ’til the end, what I live and what I learn, What we build and what we burn, I’ll love you til the end’.

At first thought I didn’t know what to expect from this album, having enjoyed their live show without hearing them on record first, theres always that slight worry that one will completly out-do the other, but there are no troubles here. The Loved Ones have it all in the bag, every aspect of a punk rock album is squeezed into this record making it their best yet, I can only look forward to their return to our shores.

“Build & Burn” is out on Febuary 5th on Fat Wreck Chords.

www.myspace.com/thelovedones