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To many American music consumers,
the frigid Scandinavian country of Sweden has become a symbol of
underground European metal of all types. It is surprising, then,
to hear that a bouncy, energetic punk rock outfit like Randy
hails from that same country. On "The Human Atom
Bombs," Randy’s fourth full-length release, the quartet
slams its way through 17 infectious punk rock tunes that
challenge political and social conventions without sounding
dismal or disheartening. In addition to their full-length CDs,
Randy has also contributed to a slew of split releases, EP’s,
and compilation records.
"The Human Atom Bombs,"
is an intentional departure from their previous self-proclaimed
fast-as-hell sound. Instead they now focus on less fast (but no
less intense), more singable songs with a message. With song
titles like "Karl Marx and History," "Proletarian
Hop," "Freedom-Song," and "Who’s Side Are
You On," it is not difficult to see what that message is.
The album is not, however, entirely political. Songs like
"Summer of Bros.," a Ramones-esque romp about the joy
of being young, lacks any political or even disgruntled
references. In fact, even the band’s political songs are
upbeat and even cheery, in stark contrast to fellow political
rockers System of a Down or the now defunct Rage Against The
Machine.
Randy’s songs are well written
tunes with poppy refrains that often feature a healthy chorus of
"Ooooh’s" and "Uh-huh’s" in the
tradition of old school punk or even 50’s rock ‘n’ roll.
"Rockin’ Pneumonia and the Punk Rock Flu" is a nice
mix of new and old, fun all the way. The lyrics are clever and
funny and largely avoid tired subjects like "boy meets
girl." "Hello, well nothing, I’m just watching TV,
looking for something so shallow that it’s worth to see,"
go the lyrics on "Addicts of Communication," a song
about the information-junkie generation.
Going through seventeen songs of
Randy can get old. Sometimes it starts sounding more like silly
European pop music instead of punk rock. The album sounds like
it was recorded in the traditional punk rock style: quick and
cheap. The guitar is high-pitched and raw sounding, years from
the overly processed and "neatly" distorted guitars of
Blink 182 and the like. They manage to sound jangly without
being too sloppy. Amid their punked out guitars and drums, Randy
isn’t afraid to throw in a few musical surprises.
"Freedom Song" features a tapped cowbell and doorbell
dinging. Several songs feature clapping.
"The Human Atom Bombs"
is a good album. Randy offers punk rock more from an indie
perspective than from a need to sell records. Their poppiness is
intentional, not superficial. They also get a check mark for
writing a song called "Chicken Shack." It’s no
coincidence that the band is called Randy, because randy is a
great word to describe their sound. Give it a listen.
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| Artist |
Randy |
| Title |
The Human Atom Bombs |
| Label |
Epitaph
Records |
| Reviewer |
Shelby Rushing |
| Rating |
 |
|
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| website |
Randy
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