Boxer Rebellion--s/t
Creep Records 2004
There's nothing wrong with openly celebrating your influences as a band, if you still manage to give enough of yourself to make the listen worthy. Boxer Rebellion do just that on their self-titled debut album. Their music manages to keep true to the artisits who fostered this style, while simultaneously feeling like a breath of fresh air. That said, if you have a hard time "thinking outside the box," this spin may prove a bit confusing.
One thing Boxer Rebellion definitely have going for themselves is the interesting amalgam of influences evident in their sound. At its base, this music obviously recalls Bad Religion's pre-major label output. Mix this with the reggae infused hardcore of Bad Brains and you'll have a pretty good idea of what this self-titled disc has to offer. It all seems pretty basic but the results are surprisingly fresh--after all, the world isn't exactly overrun with bands trying to cultivate a Bad Brains feel. The real braintwister comes in the mainstream-ready hooks the band boasts every couple of songs, though. It all adds up to a listen which should appeal as much to the staunchest of underground supporters as it will to mall punkers (granted, the political slant of these lyrics is a little more heady than what you'd get from Sum 41 or Blink 182).
An interesting sound is one thing, but being able to craft captivating material is another. Thankfully, Boxer Rebellion deliver in this category, as well. The reggae leaning material, such as "Let The Chains Fall" and "Catastrophe," stands out, thanks to that aforementioned Bad Brains reverence shining through. Add "Tin God" to this group, though the vibe is a bit more into ska territory than those others and the chorus is MTV-ready all the way. The TRL set should also go nuts for "Instigate" which comes off as a less polished version of Yellowcard or Hoobastank. Moments like these may throw off the punkers out there a bit, but it seems like keeping listeners somewhat off balance was what Boxer Rebellion were after with this album.
For this reason, the only real way to know if Boxer Rebellion is right for you will be giving it a spin yourself. If you remotely enjoy any of the bands or styles referenced here, there's a pretty good chance you'll like this, too. Kudos to Boxer Rebellion for not playing it safe. Interesting, at the very least.
Score this CD directly from CREEP RECORDS
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