I always like DOA’s brand of punk rock. This one lands closer to their hardcore roots than some of their recent discs have. It’s quite an effective slab of punk, no matter the alignment, though.
This review is available in book format (hardcover and paperback) in Music Street Journal: 2015 Volume 6 at lulu.com/strangesound.
Track by Track Review
Punk Rock Hero
A mix of hardcore and more mainstream punk that’s catchy, this is a great way to start the set in style.
You've Gone Too Far This one lands much more in pure hardcore territory. It’s a much shorter tune and an effective one.
The Cops Shot A Kid Slower, but no less punk at the start, this is classy. It works from that slower movement to some serious high tempo hardcore.
Warmonger Although this is still a punk rock song, it also touches on more mainstream hard rock sounds.
Johnny Too Bad The organ brings a retro rock sound to this cover. There is a big chunk of reggae here, too. This is a nice change, but not one of my favorites.
Pipeline Fever Back into pure punk territory, this rocks. It’s aggressive and potent.
Racism Sucks More hardcore, this is really catchy, too.
Kicked in the Teeth Although there are no big changes here, this is another solid cut.
Not Gonna Take Your Crap No More A faster paced cut, as the title suggests, this is angry. It’s also tasty.
He Joined The Gang More of the same, when it’s this good, who cares. Somehow this reminds me a bit of early Clash at times.
Ni Hao No real changes, this is angry and energized. It’s actually one of the stronger cuts here.
San Quentin Here they cover a Johnny Cash song. I like this version. It’s punk. I think Cash would have appreciated it. If country was ever punk in the day, it was probably Cash’s music.
