Linea 77
Available For Propaganda
6
Linea 77 is essentially trying to be a sort of bridge between modern pop punk, metal and something vaguely older and more interesting in the vein of whichever Dischord band you want to talk about. And it's OK, I guess, but I don't imagine that anyone reading this should buy it. It's just not that compelling. It probably kills locally, but seriously, find the band in your town playing this same stuff and give THEM your money. It's all about local heroism: keep the cash in your own circle.
The songs are mid tempo, simplistic and crunchy. The vocals are gravelly, not quite melodically sung, resembling mainly Guy Picciotto from Fugazi, and the way the guitars gang sometimes resembles Fugazi as well. Of course, without the elite inventiveness of Lally and Canty as rhythm section, the structures simply devolve into basic emo, the 38 Special/REO Speedwagon of the new millennium. At their best the band can be said to "rock", even channeling heroic moments from greats like New Bomb Turks or Supersuckers, but before anything special actually evolves you are right back into the derivative ordinariness.
The recording is solid enough. The sound has little original personality, but at least crunches and moves. The vocals are right up there where you can't miss them. It's all essentially average and expected from any modern act.
The bottom line is a yawn. It's not the worst modern punk record I have heard, by any means, but it's not in any way exceptional, either. It's the music of revolutionary dozing. And frankly, this may be the absolute worst thing you can say about punk rock. I would be certain you already own plenty of Fugazi, Rancid and New Bomb Turks before forking over the cash for this one. Better yet, hit the local halls this weekend and prop up your scene. Chances are you can find a band in your town doing just about the same thing.
