With the amount of material that’s been previewed ahead of its’ release, Already Dead’s Something Like A War is something like a “Greatest Hits” because of the awareness of a lot of the new music out, ahem, already. Which is fine by us as we can’t seem to get enough of Already Dead’s clashing of styles which boils down to some classic SoCal Punk (Read: Rancid) by way of Southie.
“The Spirit Of Massachusetts Avenue” is gorgeous and grand as a starter with vocalist/guitarist Daniel Cummings’ fiery words being that spark to set off the revolution that is Something Like A War and from there the incendiary sounds just get more incendiarier (Not a word). The title track is a mindfuck and then some beginning like a continuation of “Spirit…” before implementing their penchant for Dub/Reggae influences into the mix a la the way that The Police used to do. Only louder.
“One Foot” is all the classic modern Punk sounds rolled into one with huge gang vox to snarl along to and a catchy ass riff line that reminds us of Social Distortion while “Landlord” is the first to let up sonically with some, dare we say, Blink 182 vibes that hearken to that glistening Pop Punk era of Enema Of The State but separated solely by Cummings’ vocal style.
“Hunger For More” is a shredder with Nick Cali and Brian Ferrazzani’s galloping drums and bass respectively upping the feverish ante leading to a gnarly closing breakdown with “The Romeo Club” bouncing in next as Cummings’ gift of gab and succinct storytelling gets another spotlight with some Celtic-inspired guitarin’ from both Cummings and Brandon Bartlett entering the fray. “I Want It All” is a bright palette cleanser that cuts a line in the intensity, “Rock Bottom” gets back to the, um, rock with another solid slammer, and “Travelin’ Blues” is a road weary tale reminiscent of The Blasters.
“Wit’s End” is a blast of Cali’s chaotically coordinated drumming undercut by Ferrazzani’s bass lines with soaring guitars from Bartlett and Cummings before we get a full on horn invasion during “Shards Of Glass” which is also big on the Groove! “Unsung Heroes” is a sobering soliloquy deep into the new record offset by a full on rhythm section rhumba on “Keep It Movin'” to start before those horns return for a Ska-tinged foot stompin’, booty shakin’ good time followed by the cunning conclusion of “When You Were Great” that’s a Celtic flavored acoustic affair still serving up a poignant purpose despite a relatively quiet delivery.
Something Like A War is out now and you can find your copy by heading here or here (Or to the stream below). For more from Already Dead, including ALL the deets on their record release show at Lowell’s Thirsty First with Lenny Lashley’s Gang Of One and The Graniteers on July 27th, follow the trail of socials by clicking here, here or here.