| Even though this album has been out in Canuckville for about a month and a half now, we finally got
it on US shelves yesterday and I wanted to see if these 4 guys from the north could get their latest
album "Hungover, But Dead Sober" to be enjoyed by our (often picky) American ears. Right before I
started the review I couldn't help but notice that the band considers themselves a solid mixture of
Punk, Ska, and Reggae, and while that might sound like an appetizing snack for a Rastafarian lover
of Operation Ivy, I wasn't sure how I would take it.
Fluctuating between short and medium length songs, The Real Deal! really does deliver where I
thought it might not. Forget reggae and even ska, as this band is a pure punk band and has a style
that reminds me of Millencolin or Lagwagon. Meaning the production is a little low and the punk
sounds less mature, but that's the point. They go for a more carefree style with bouncing riffs and
goofy lyrics.
Add another carefree punk band to your listening schedule because TRD! are a fun bunch to dig on a
weekday afternoon while you are relaxing. Looking for a serious side, you won't find it here and
that is fine with me. The hyper spirit of "Hungover, But Dead Sober" is its selling point. The
vocals, lyrics, music aren't amazing but that internal punk flame that has been burning for a long
time is present here.
Old and new school listeners (of punk) should be able to pick this up with no problem and it's good
for a few listens. Truly there isn't too much special here, but there is no bad elements that annoy
me, so that's good. All in all, dependable classic punk.
~ Pernell
June 12 2008 |
