A first glance at American Breakdown could lead listeners to think its contents are filled with angry, irreverent music created in a suburban garage by an even angrier, more irreverent punk band. Luckily - I don’t judge album’s by their covers.
3 Kisses brand of “Texas Party Punk” is infused in every track of the band’s fourth studio album released through Rat Pak Records. Coming off one of their most prominent showcases at SXSW and a stint on ABC’s “Wife Swap,” the band’s latest release is as confident and full of energy as any of their previous records.
Like any good punk rock album, the majority of American Breakdown’s lyrical content is prickly and biting. However, unlike most bands in the genre, an underlying current of optimism and hope is injected into each song, largely due to lead singer Tish Meek’s expressive growl. The album’s lead track, “American Breakdown,” takes a stab at the excessive consumerism which has landed the US in such an enormous economic and political mess. Armed with a cover of Joan Jett’s “I Hate Myself for Loving You” and tracks such as the retrospective “Bricks” and the anthemic “It’s Not About You,” the band laments upon relationship issues. The album also transitions into humorous territory with songs such as “Wrong Head” and “PMS” while maintaining the band’s searing punk rock edge.
As the end of American Breakdown draws near, “Out Of Control” and tempo changing “Shake It Up” serve as quintessential examples of the band’s “Texas Party Punk” flavor. Flowing with the energetic spirit of the album, the shining “Hope is Contagious” round out the record on an uplifting note
It would be easy to draw comparisons between American Breakdown and Green Day’s American Idiot. However, apart from the sound of the album with its rapid drumming and guitar laden tracks, there are few remaining similarities. Like American Idiot, the album is irreverent without sounding disenfranchised; but this band of Texan punk rockers just like to get the party started and leave listeners with a message. With this album they do just that.
Rukshan Thenuwara-MuzikReviews.com Contributor
June 24, 2009
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