Reviews

The Bronx formed in Los Angeles last year and almost immediately whipped up a buzz with their incendiary live shows and hot demo. From what I understand, they were the subject of a bidding war amongst the majors, but they opted to do it themselves, releasing this, their debut LP on their own White Drugs label.
This record is, simply stated, white hot rock and roll. The songs simply crackle out of the speakers. Each track is a high-octane trip through mind-meltingly intense takes on raw garage punk. The Bronx share a common spiritual bond with bands like early New Bomb Turks and The Backyard Babies. This is pure 60's garage punk given a modern dose of corrosive punk spit. The band plays it sloppy and loose... the album has a raw 1st take quality to it, but it doesn't feel amateurish at all. As a matter of fact, the live feel suits the band immensely: the rhythm section seethes with power and fluidity and the guitars are mean and hot. Matt Caughthran's vocals are a screeching sore throat wail of immense proportions. He sounds positively electrified.
To those that enjoy slick production, 3 part harmonies and the frosted vocals that seem to have permeated what is known as "punk rock" these days, this album may be a jolt... actually more like a punch in the face. This is a pure rock and roll record that can't be ignored. This is a bleeding, sweaty, dirty, grubby powerful statement of record that simply oozes with attitude and contempt for anything poppy or nice. The Bronx know what rock and roll is all about, and it shows on this record. Highly recommended (Guest review: Richie Daggers Crime from punkunited.com).