This 10-song record is the much-awaited debut from the Boston area band, the Lost City Angels. Rising out of the ashes of Spring Heeled Jack, the band has been paying its dues for a few years in the live circuit. They�ve been in town a lot recently, most recently with Flogging Molly and really blew the Webster away. Their studio debut encompasses their live energy brilliantly. I had been looking forward to this record for quite some time. After seeing them for the first time live with Darkbuster (RIP) at the Tune Inn I wanted something to take home. I amused myself with mp3s until now. The first track, aptly titled �First Things First� is a raucous upbeat punk tune with emotional lyrics. Not emo, don�t get me wrong! Just that kind of punk with personal lyrics. I�ve heard people say that LCA was the perfect band, punk enough, but with enough pop and enough emotion to cover all areas and be liked by everyone! �Think Yer Alone?� is more of a punk song, the opening riff is a bit Vandals-esque to me. It�s no doubt these are a talented bunch of musicians. Ron�s voice isn�t too stand out, but I don�t think it really needs to be. He also translates really well live. The third track is �Edge of 21� which I remember having on mp3 for ages! This one has an infectious chorus that is in fact, a bit poppy. Ron sings �Cannot turn back time, �Cause all those wasted nights now haunt my wasted days�, Lyrics we can all relate to. Next up is the more tender �If You Go�, which could almost be one of the sappier Queers� songs. One thing I�m noticing on this record is that it sounds like crap in my stereo, a little too bottom heavy, if I turn it up as high as I�d like, it buzzes like mad. Tried it in the car and on my PowerBook, maybe just me� Track 5 is �New Haven�, go Connecticut. Ron played guitar in SHJ, so I don�t find the title odd. �The more my dreams change, the more my dreams hit the floor�. Those are more words to live by. SHJ, though defunct, lost Dave Kacrcich, drummer for Avoid One Thing at the time of his death. I�m sure New Haven has a lot of meaning in LCA�s world. �Lost and Gone� has a guitar riff similar to Screeching Weasel�s �My Brain Hurts�, which is of no problem to me because that band is missed by me! �Another Beaten Soul� is a crowd pleaser, the typical tale of the fucked up American kid. It�s no Good Charlotte tale of woe, so it IS worth the listen. Track 8 is a cover of a Neurotic Outsiders tune, which is Steve Jones� of Sex Pistols fame�s project with former Guns N Roses bassist Duff McKagan. I will have to give the original a listen to before I can decide properly! Next is �Caught in Time� an entirely acoustic track which seems simple and honest enough. �Dreamgirl 89102� is the closer and a livelier track with punchy guitars. A little too much reverb on the voice throughout the record. Ron�s voice is strong enough not to need this. On a whole, I was pleased with what LCA finally produced as a full-length debut. This record is for no-frills people who like a hook and want personal lyrics without having to listen to Dashboard Confessional. Yes, I do have to keep my reviews short for publication, and yes it is hard, so forgive what I consider briefness! Rock on.
