The Obits frontman Rick Froberg (formally of revered bands like Hot Snakes/Drive Like Jehu) has stated in interviews that his new project isn’t trying to reinvent the musical wheel. You can’t really argue against this sentiment after hearing the band’s debut album I Blame You (Sub Pop). But, hey, sometimes, innovation can be overrated. Consistency is the key and The Obits have mastered that good ol’ punk ‘n’ roll sound. And my friends, there is nothing like punk ‘n’ roll when it’s done just right, in my fair opinion. It’s like what Eddie Argos of Art Brut says on his band’s new album “Marvel Comics and chocolate milkshakes, some things will always be great.”

But there is something contained within these songs that could appeal to any rocker, whatever the background. Froberg’s usual screeching guitar riffs and angsty, shouted vocals are, naturally, present but there are somewhat surprising influences. In fact, the vocals feel somewhat soulful. Think The Wipers mixed with some Brian Jones-era Stones grooves.

The album thrives on it’s bare-boned approach, solid production and sequencing (via producer  Sanoff-Janney)and blistering tunes. The intensity of the one-two punch of “Widow of My Dreams” and “Pine On” is off the charts. The band gets the ball rolling early on for sure and despite the cover’s warnings of the tunes being “xtra compressed for maximum listener fatigue,” I never felt worn out.

But the highlight of the record comes with the closer “Back and Forth.” Some band’s try so hard to write anthematic arena-rocking numbers and yet, it seems so natural to The Obits. It’s fist-pumping anthem for a generation that comes off as sometimes being a bit too timid to write a song for the nosebleed seats. I heard this song and thought that is should be The Obits selling out MSG, not Kings of Leon.

The Obits have unleashed quite a marvelous debut. An early contender for album of the year in my book thus far. You can check out “Pine On” below.

Some are saying (or at least assuming) that The Marked Men’s new record Ghosts will be the band’s swansong. While things aren’t completely dead and buried, guitarist/vocalist Jeff Burke is moving to Japan. Hence, the band is being put on ice for the time being. Place this very sad situation on top of the fact that the band are following up 2006’s Fix My Brain, one of the most perfect pop punk records EVER made, and needless to say expectations were high in my book.

Ghosts is a tricky album of sorts. The songs trick you by being too fast. They blaze by you left and right that you don’t know what hit you. A few serious listens later, however, I was able to fully hear each carefully constructed note and all the vocal harmonies. The Marked Men are not a one trick pony, that’s for sure. Oh, and for the record, it’s fucking awesome. 

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Last October, The Jealous Sound released their first album in a half-decade: a five song EP entitled Got Friends, which contained three original tracks and two remixes.  This is the artistic equivalent of sigh: a small release, containing little original material, crammed in towards the end of the year.  It turns out, however, that this is more of a gasp and that Got Friends is all that’s left of the band and, presumably, singer Blair Shehan’s musical ambitions.  Stories of him falling into a steep depression and disappearing have circulated the internet and there’s no way to verify their truth.  It’s a shame that The Jealous Sound have broken up and that we have to wait so long for their leftover material.  “Got Friends,” the first track off their recent EP, is nearly perfect.    

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I got this tasty piece of vinyl in the mail a few days ago; a thoroughly solid 7-inch split by two fantastic bands, Benard and Worn In Red. Both bands succeed at being pure unadulterated fury in musical form. It’s spastic, frantic, raw, and for lack of a better term, very “old school.” Revelation and Dischord Records comparisons come to mind, but that comparison doesn’t do this split justice. The two songs by Atlanta, Georgia’s Benard are just fast, hard and hella aggro, while Virginia’s Worn In Red’s one contribution is somewhat epic, but without sacrificing any sort of immediate energy. The split is available through Alaska Records and No Brakes Distro, and you can get it here.

I’ll admit, I’m a little taken aback. Paper The Operator’s little slice of poppy and melodic pop rock is definitely better than I expected. The band’s Solemn Boyz EP definitely doesn’t beat around the bush when it comes to indie pop conventions. They are content with their music being just a great rock ‘n roll that isn’t afraid to mix heartache and cynicism, with just a touch of lightheartedness. It’s not punk, it’s not pop, it’s not indie, but it’s definitely good.