Music reviews. CD reviews. Critically hip!

The Lions Rampant are fun --  like NOFX fun. Stuart Mackenzie's screaming works -- he comes across with a sound that reminds me of the old Punk Rock, like the the 70's idols, recreating the chaos for others to witness and practice in their own way. Those were the true originals of a generation and a movement... and these guys can belt it out with the best of them.

The guitars sound more modern -- definitely more updated than the ones you might be familiar with from their more famous bretheren.  Let's face it, a lot of the oldies made some great music, but they weren't the most technical players.  Lions Rampant though can play!  While the sound can get repatitive -- musically 70-30 and Let Us In (Come On). are almost the same exact song.  That could be a bad sign -- confusing the listener right out of the gate.  But as a knock, it's an easy one to forget.

Cryin’ All The Time is a fresh dose of kick ass, desperately needed these days. Mackenzie's words are out there and unconventional, fitting with the fun and jumpy dance club beat. “This is my heart babe, this is my mouth. You can’t control what comes out.” He just says what he wants... and it's refreshing.  For example:  “I don’t want you, I need you (in my head).”

The rebellion most people leave behind in high school lasted beyond their teens and put them into a place of real distortion -- an honest and brutal place that shows what is going on in thier hearts and minds. An example of this is found in the lyrics of Skin ‘n Bones, where he goes on to say “You don’t like the way I live my life.” It’s so tempting to hear this in an angst-like film something, something college age about isolation and rejection. It’s violent and glorious.

Lions Rampant's sound is a liberating cry out to all those social outcasts who don't have a group to cling onto.  The band understands the concept of the underdog and play up the characteristics to a tee.  I find that somehow honorable and true to what Punk Rock stands for in general.  They hang on to what they believe in, and what they feel is important instead of what's running across the screen on CNN -- it's so easy these days to be carried away by the currents of the media, but this group holds their own.

Amy Jo does an insane guest vocal on Need A Man? and she has the authority to command the song all on her own, just repeating that one line: “I need a man.” She has a Bikini Kill quality to her, from their first two records and I couldn't help but smile. She was a pleasant addition to this album -- I hope she comes back for more in the future!

I haven’t been this impressed with a new band in a long time. Lions Rampant know what they’re about and the confidence has surpassed its limit and stretched out to ego now. Ego is important. Ego is sexy. Ego is essential for an artist to grow and learn more about themselves and the world they have chosen to live in. They have stayed flexible to their surroundings and have turned out one hell of a killer album. I would love to check these guys out live, because I’m sure they can deliver on stage with even more energy than on the cd.  Rock on!