Aaron Scott, whom you probably know from his stints fronting De La Hoya and Marathon, is back with Attica! Attica!, a result of him roaming the US and turning his travels into a varied and heartfelt album, Dead Skin/Dried Blood, on Red Leader Records.

If you’ve listened to his previous bands you know Aaron’s an incredible lyricist and singer. Personally I think he could make Greg Graffin of Bad Religion look like a chump, but whatever. Dead Skin/Dried Blood is full of songs about everything from war and protest (“Way Down In Gitmo” and “The Kid’s War”) to what drives him and other artists to keep on touring and living the lives they do (“A Dirge To The Underground”). It’s all a bit different from the blistering punk and hardcore of his previous works, as Aaron goes from near-acapella, piano, to reggae-influenced guitar and bass and a solo acoustic guitar. And if you’re not prepared for it, it can definitely be a surprise. However, I love it, and can definitely feel the miles of travel between two coasts that he’s trying to convey here.

My only qualm with it? While the whole thing flows together quite well, I think some of it seem a bit depressing. The comparison between the somber and haunting (but nonetheless catchy) “Frostbite” and say, “A Dirge…” is a doozie. Could just be me. Still, in the end I guess that is one of the points of the album. Aaron’s trying new things and that alone would definitely make me recommend this.

So go and pick it up, and if you ever get a chance, catch Aaron and his friends perform live. I have twice so far and it’s always fun. Especially since he seems to dig Hawaiian shirts, which you just can’t hate.

Check out Attica! Attica on Myspace to sample a few songs.