Review - Every Time I Die

Band: Every Time I Die
Album: The Big Dirty
Label: Ferret Records
4 out of 5


When I pick up a brand new Every Time I Die album I expect to hear three distinct characteristics. These include the witty and sarcastic lyrics singer Keith Buckley brings to the table, catchy and devastating guitar riffs, and the infamous cowbell that seems to show up on at least one track. The Big Dirty, the bands 4th full-length release, doesn’t disappoint in any of these categories.

ETID’s last release, Gutter Phenomenon, was a surprising departure from the band’s previous work. The album shifted to a more metal influence that officially put the band into the metalcore genre. The Big Dirty finds the band returning to the more rock driven and hardcore feel that many ETID fans are accustomed with. This is apparent from the very beginning of the record with the kick off song “No Son of Mine.” The guitar riffs are downright nasty and the vocals demand your attention.

ETID’s main draw is front man Keith Buckley. Each album that ETID puts out has the listener guessing what Buckley will say next. Buckley’s witty style of writing has given him the reputation of one of the best lyricist of our generation, especially within the hardcore genre.

ETID has definitely topped the effort that they put out on their last release. It will be interesting to see how fans react to this album. I can see the fan base being split in half. One half will cry “genius” in a dramatic fashion while the other half will admit it’s a great record but claim it isn’t a Hot Damn! or Last Night in Town. Either way this is a satisfying release and should be a nice addition for those who are consistently wishing they had more ETID.

Recommended Tracks: No Son of Mine, We’rewolf (this track has the infamous cowbell), INRIhab

New Review - Boys Night Out

Band: Boys Night Out
Album: Boys Night Out
Label: Ferret Records
Score: 3 out of 5


Boys Night Out has returned with their third full-length release with yet another line-up change. Boys Night Out parted ways with keyboardist/singer Kara Dupuy and drummer Brian Southall as they welcomed guitarist Andy Lewis. They also reunited with their original drummer Ben Arseneau. As you can image that with so many line-up changes throughout the band's history that each album would have a different taste, this is exactly what's happened.

Boys Night Out started as a post-hardcore act and stayed true to that theme on their first full-length album, Make Yourself Sick. With their second full-length, Trainwreck, the band moved away from their post-hardcore roots becoming more of a pop punk band. Their latest release can be seen as a middle ground between Make Yourself Sick and Trainwreck. On this self-titled release the band has taken what worked from both of their pervious albums and blended it.

The opening track is a great example of this. "Get Your Head Straight" features catchy call-and-answer vocals that sound like they belong on Make Yourself Sick as well as a softer verse that is similar to the sound the band created on Trainwreck. Boys Night Out's previous records both had very original and catchy lyrics. Their latest self-titled attempt falls a little short in that regard. The lyrics tend to be simple, repetitive, and don't really add anything to the tracks.

Boys Night Out has kept their basic formula of energetic pop punk with group vocals. This album has some great sing along music and is nothing shy of catchy. Despite its flaws, Boys Night Out should satisfy fans as they wait for a more satisfying future release. Stand out tracks include "Get Your Head Straight", "Hey, Thanks" and "Swift and Unforgiving".