BROLOAF - BORN TO PARTY

If there was an ultimate frat band, Broloaf would be it.  Don't kid yourself, there's nothing subtle about this group.  They're a hardcore party just waiting to happen.  If there was a stoner genre in rock, Broloaf would be the defining band.  

My first exposure to them was a live performance and it was an experience I'll not soon forget.  They started the show passing out beers, doing shots off snowboards to the fans in the front row and throwing what looked like a bag of weed to the crowd.

Musically, they're straightforward punk rock and every song is geared toward partying.  If you're looking for hidden meanings, or innuendos, this group really isn't offering what you're searching for.  But if you want to rock out, party and laugh your ass off, Broloaf has arrived and is ready to turn your party upside down.

There are certain songs that stand out from others.  'Shredded Weedies' is absolutely hilarious and brilliant.  It's easily my favorite track on the album.  'I Wanna Party With You' is also quite enjoyable.

'Skyping With Your Mom' is a track about online masturbation and cam sex.  The brilliance of this track is in the relentless combative lyric barrage hurled at you.  It's totally on point and not only descriptive, but funny as well.  Crude humor poetry.

Musically, they don't diverge from the party atmosphere they create both live and on the record, but that's perfectly fine as that's exactly what this group is trying to achieve.

The best compliment I could give this band is to say this is one group that amps up the energy both live and on the disc.  There are some groups who are amazing live, but have horrible albums.  And groups with astonishing records that don't convert into an enjoyable live show.  Broloaf give it in the studio just as much as they deliver onstage.  You'll rock out with this CD blaring from your truck speakers as you will banging your head in a venue!

For the record, I met and hung out with these guys for a few minutes after their set and they're genuinely nice guys.  I had an absolute blast meeting them and watching their set.  

There are 12 tracks with 2 untitled segue tracks.  You can find the titles to the segue tracks on their bandcamp page.  You can also order their CDs or download their digital albums there.  If you're looking for a soundtrack to the ultimate party, then pick up this disc and throw down with the bros from Broloaf!  My final words:  MUSIC TO BLOW THE ROOF OFF, DUDE!!!

BROLOAF - BORN TO PARTY
01. Legacy Of Bro-Tality
02. Winning Isn't Everything
03. For The Love Of The Game
04. Personal Best
05. I Wanna Party With You
06. Shredded Weedies
07. Rave Riot
08. Me Time
09. Skyping With Your Mom
10. Brand New Dad
11. Weekend Warriors
12. Executive Decision
13. Johnny Epic
14. After Hours

MARK MALLMAN - MR. SERIOUS

"Is that an Earthquake???  No - It's Mark Mallman!!!!"

I remember the first time I saw Mark Mallman.  I didn't know what to think.  I saw him perform live and I couldn't decide if I was freaked out or utterly and completely blown away by his onstage presence.  After I'd had time to reflect on it, I realized this was a dynamic musical force I'd just discovered.

Slowly, but surely, I've been picking up his back catalog on eBay and Amazon.  I'm exploring his work and I'm finally ready to put some of my thoughts down in this blog.  I've noticed a few problems with my writing lately and I'm trying to avoid making them again.  Sometimes, I get caught up in a band or an artist and I lose perspective.  When I try to write a fair review of someone I'm obviously fascinated with, it often comes out sounding like a sugary gush of rainbow word vomit I mean to sound fair and objective, but instead, it sounds critical or downright negative.

I've decided there's no point in trying to deliver an objective review.  Why do I need to find something wrong with a piece of music I'm listening to if I enjoy it?  Obviously, reviews ultimately reflect the taste of the reviewer.  They're just opinions; and since I buy this music and consume it, I might as well say exactly what I'm thinking.  Even if it comes out like a heaping pile of unicorn poo.

Mallman is the American amalgamation of David Bowie and Elton John.  Have you ever seen the absolutely brilliant Hedwig And The Angry Inch?  As stunning as the soundtrack to that film is, Mallman's music on "Mr. Serious" is just as intriguing.  He snatches the very essence of that blues based rock and roll sound, coupled with unusual subject matter I find absolutely compelling and drives it through this disc like a semi-truck bearing down on unsuspecting roadkill.  

I'm always drawn to musicians who find the nerve to write about something other than the standard pop fare of love and sometimes politics.  And Mallman does this extremely well.  He's not limited to conventional thinking about composition or lyrical content.  Take 'Executioner'...  This highly reflective and distinctive tune sounds like it could appear as a haunting background track for a Tarantino thriller.  There's so much happening in the ponderance he conveys in this track.  Listen especially to the lines about killing the sparrow.  There's regret, but simultaneous resigned acceptance.  Highly effective. 

In the grand tradition of musical storytellers, Mallman takes us on a journey with songs like 'Still Wasted' and 'Hard Night'.  There's the bubbling pent up Americana in songs like 'Anesthesia' and 'I Work Here, I Grew Up Here'.  

I'm torn between choosing a favorite on this disc.  'Heart Is A Loaded Weapon' is a track I repeat over and over in my truck because I love the sentiment while at the same time, I dig the pounding piano punctuation creating a rhythm that's so much fun to blast out of my truck windows.  I'm also deeply drawn to 'Hardcore Romantics' and 'True Love'.  'Still Wasted' is another track I can't stop repeating.  It's got all the pop sensibility of a radio hit and let's face it...  It's absolute joy to sing along with.

This rock sound, Mallman expresses sounds both classical and modern at the same time.  He's created a hybrid sound that sweetly frames his emotional voice.  You hear vulnerability and depth in the way he delivers his secret messages.  Words you feel are for you alone.  Listen to 'Simply In The Distance' and try to believe he isn't singing directly to you.

If you appreciate strong songwriting, unique voices and craftsman quality musicianship, Mark Mallman is an artist you need to explore.  And I mean as soon as possible.  My final words:  CLIMB ON YOUR ROOF, FLOAT OFF INTO SPACE AND GET WASTED ON THIS CD!!!

MARK MALLMAN - MR. SERIOUS
01. I Just Want To Play Paino
02. Hardcore Romantics
03. True Love
04. Simply In The Distance
05. Still Wasted
06. Executioner
07. Midnight Man
08. Hard Night
09. Proof Is What You Get
10. Anesthesia
11. Heart Is A Loaded Weapon
12. I Work Here, I Grew Up Here

RESIDUAL KID - FACES

Residual Kid are a band I just saw live in Flagstaff during an Electric Six concert.  They were the second of three bands and got upstaged by the antics of Phoenix based party band, Broloaf.  When they took the stage, the crowd was so wound up over the loud mashing metal of Broloaf, their alt rock sound seemed almost washed out. 

Still, you gotta give em credit, they got up and played their hearts out.  It's hard to follow a band who passes out beer and shots to the crowd.

I don't remember much about their set as I was sitting at the bar and by that time, Broloaf were hanging out nearby.  It was a bit loud around me and I had a hard time concentrating on what was happening onstage.  Still, I'd picked up their CD and was looking forward to giving it a listen.

When I met the band, I was initially surprised at how young they looked.  Some of that youthfulness is evident when you hear their album.  On first listen, the disc seems to revolve around extremely shallow concepts, but on closer inspection you pick up on the themes they're trying to get across.

For a young band, they've got some interesting musical ideas and I like the fact they don't follow a standard method of composition or playing.  There are quite a few outstanding tracks on this disc, but my favorite of the bunch is easily 'Friend'.  That song just hammers.

'Purple Shoes' is awesome musically, but the lyrics...  Lol, I can't get over the lyrics.  Residual Kid are strongly influenced by an alternative rock scene and there's a punk sensibility to what they're doing.  They remind me of bands like Green Day who dominated the Alt. Rock scene of the mid to late 90's.

Based out of Austin, Texas, Residual Kid may not be the torch bearers of a California punk movement, but they certainly may herald a new underground music scene happening in their native Texas.  You'll just have to stick around and see where they end up.

It would be interesting to see this band play again.  This time without the distractions around me.  I'd like to give them a fair shot.  Based on this disc, I suspect I'd really enjoy their show.

My final words:  A FINE BIT OF ROCK FOR YOUR EARS!  CHECK IT OUT!

RESIDUAL KID - FACES
01. Faces
02. Friend
03. Purple Shoes
04. Pulling Through
05. Lab Rat
06. Lost Cause