Although I can only claim to have heard a fraction of the punk albums released in 2017, I feel a lot of others will agree with me that The Bronx has released one of the most gripping albums of the year. And, really, we shouldn’t be that surprised; all four of their previous self-titled albums (yes, they’ve all been self-titled) from the Los Angeles sensations have been nothing short of spectacular.
The album leads with the ferocious, anthemic “Night Drop At The Glue Factory,” where razor sharp guitar work meets furious rock, and that’s extended on similar tracks like “Stranger Danger.” Fuzzed out and distorted, these two songs provide an incendiary opening and a fine precursor of things to come.
But it’s not all punk rock fun. The Bronx shows great strength on the slower tunes here, especially songs like the expansive rock ‘n’ roll of “Side Effects,” the classic rock influences of “Channel Islands,” and lead single “Two Birds,” where The Bronx channels their inner Cheap Trick.
On the opposite side of the spectrum, there are harsher moment like the manic, metallic “Fill The Tanks,” the buzzing hardcore punk of “Sore Throat,” and the memorable garage rock of “Past Away.” Other offerings like the arena rock of “Cordless Kids” and fuzzed out “Broken Arrow” could easily propel the band into mainstream attention – if they aren’t already there, that is.
I know that right now everyone feels that Foo Fighters or Queens Of The Stone Age are the most exciting bands in the world of rock. And while they are certainly talented, I say try on The Bronx for size and see if your answer changes. While maturing might be a dangerous word in the circles these guys travel, their version of maturation on a punk rock foundation is quickly making them one of the best in my book.
