PUT-DOWNS: No Worse Off
Full Length CD
$8.00
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Put-Downs: "No Worse Off" CD
The Put-Downs, a Texan rock n’ roll trio featuring Paul J of Motards fame, have returned with their third full-length recording. And although No Worse Off doesn’t any break any new ground or tinker with musical subtleties, it’s better-produced and more melodic than your typical “garage” record. I like it!
We hear lots of “rev it up and put the pedal to the metal!” type records here in Waveland, and this one’s no different. Paul J and the Dempsey brothers have delivered yet another no-frills collection of tough, hard-driving, power-riffing rock n’ roll tunes. What makes this album better than most, though, is that you can’t say “Every song sounds the same!” The “hit” here is the ultra-poppy “Movin’ Away”, which marries Real Kids style punk rock n’ roll oomph to the punchy tunefulness of top-tier ’70s punk. Without a doubt, it’ll be in the running for Best Song of 2004 honors. The cowpunk rave-up “Geek Love” is so bouncy and infectious that it’ll have you off the couch and shakin’ your ass before you figure what hit you. And I’m also quite fond of the group’s peppy cover of Scared of Chaka’s “Frozen Out”.
A mediocre garage band has nothing to offer but attitude & pure energy. And although this disc is certainly high on energy, it’s got a charm & appeal that usually aren’t found on your average three-chord sling-fest. It’s old-fashioned rock n’ roll that delivers the goods: it won’t change your life, but it’s damn good nonetheless.