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Millencolin
Kingwood

Everyone has "their band" - you know, the band you say when someone asks you what kind of music you're into. Since 1997, mine has been Millencolin, everyone's favorite Swedish pop punks.

When a band is that important to your own musical identity, it's scary when they stop putting out good music. Three years ago, I had a little panic attack when the band released its 5th album, Home from Home. While it wasn't a bad album, I didn't like the new "rock" direction I and started worrying that it was the beginning of the end.

They're back with a new album and here's what they have to say about it:

Kingwood is an album both looking forward and backwards; Forward in the sense that the band is continuing to develop the more rock-oriented side of the band, as heard on the latest album Home From Home…Backwards, as in hitting it harder, tougher and faster than in many years.

I tore the shrink rap around Kingwood with trepidation, hoping that it wouldn't be a disappointment. Here's my thoughts:

It is clear that the band is consciously trying to maintain a very punk rock intensity. The album starts off with the in-your-face "Farewell My Hell." The band even makes their first attempt at a gutter punk singalong "Cash or Clash" (Unfortunately, this is a not a good sound for them. It's too bad that they put this song so high on the tracklist.)

Millencolin is at is best when combining fast, tough punk with big, undeniable harmonies. "Biftek Supernova" is a perfect example and by far the best Kingwood number. ("Biftek" and "Simple Twist of Hate" are the only really fast tracks on the album.) Their second-strongest move is the happy, poppy tune. "Ray" and "Mooseman's Jukebox" fill this niche nicely.

The rest of the tracks fall into the slower, deliberate style that the band has been developing since Pennybridge Pioneers (think "Duckpond," "Penguins & Polar Bears).

Though this isn't Millencolin's best record, it's solid. it's enough to make me feel that they can still rock and I can confidently keep them at top of the my "favorite bands" list.

Hot Hot Heat
Elevator

When I got a hold of Hot Hot Heat's Make Up the Breakdown in 2002, I absolutely could not get enough. These Canucks were on the front-end of the Cure-influenced dance pop punk craze and their bouncy numbers literally forced me to get out of my seat and jump around, jump around.

Elevator just doesn't do that for me. On the surface, these new songs are similar to the old ones - dancy, guitar pop and Steve Bays unique vocal style - but are definitely missing some elements. Make Up was driven by incredibly creative guitar work, combined with rad organ solos and driving synthesizers. The guitar just doesn't have the same impact on this one (There must have been some issues there, since guitarist Dante DeCaro has now left the band), and where in the world is the organ?

This album is not a complete throw-away. There are a few very solid tracks - "Island of the Honest Man," "Dirty Mouth" and "Shame on You" are all very good. This album would have made a great 4-song EP.