The Explosion - Black Tape
Virgin Records - CDVUSDJ 261 - 2005
By Philip Whitehouse
Avid video gamers may already have heard a track by this band, since The Explosion's first single 'Here I Am' can be found on the soundtrack to Tony Hawk's Underground 2. That's where I heard the track first, and it must have burrowed into my head on a somewhat subliminal level, since when that track rolled around during my first spin of the US punk band's album, I knew every word but couldn't figure out where the hell I'd heard it before.
Turns out, the band's music works best in that context. You don't really concentrate on background music in Tony Hawks games - you're too busy trying to spine transfer the half pipes to get enough air to grind a third-story window ledge. So, in that context, the simplistic energised punk works perfectly. However, removed of it's electronic entertainment safety blanket and absorbed alone as an album, some deficiencies become apparent - like the creeping sense of deja vu that arises about half-way through the album as a result of the tracks all sounding, to a greater or lesser extent, pretty much like the last one.
Don't get me wrong, there's an infectious level of energy here, and some stand-out tracks too - aforementioned single 'Here I Am', despite sounding like it was recorded in a different session to the rest of the album, is the quintessential pop-punk single, all breathless energy and memorable hooks. 'We All Fall Down' has a somewhat more emotional core to its chorus and some nice guitarwork. 'Mothers Cry' recalls the melodic anthemic quality that makes Lagwagon's 'May 16' such an effective track. It's just that there's not enough of those moments on the album. Generally, it's workmanlike, run-of-the-mill punk. If that's what you're after, you'll find much to love on Black Tape.
7/10
The Explosion's Official Website
Virgin Records Official Website
Virgin Records - CDVUSDJ 261 - 2005
By Philip Whitehouse
Avid video gamers may already have heard a track by this band, since The Explosion's first single 'Here I Am' can be found on the soundtrack to Tony Hawk's Underground 2. That's where I heard the track first, and it must have burrowed into my head on a somewhat subliminal level, since when that track rolled around during my first spin of the US punk band's album, I knew every word but couldn't figure out where the hell I'd heard it before.
Turns out, the band's music works best in that context. You don't really concentrate on background music in Tony Hawks games - you're too busy trying to spine transfer the half pipes to get enough air to grind a third-story window ledge. So, in that context, the simplistic energised punk works perfectly. However, removed of it's electronic entertainment safety blanket and absorbed alone as an album, some deficiencies become apparent - like the creeping sense of deja vu that arises about half-way through the album as a result of the tracks all sounding, to a greater or lesser extent, pretty much like the last one.
Don't get me wrong, there's an infectious level of energy here, and some stand-out tracks too - aforementioned single 'Here I Am', despite sounding like it was recorded in a different session to the rest of the album, is the quintessential pop-punk single, all breathless energy and memorable hooks. 'We All Fall Down' has a somewhat more emotional core to its chorus and some nice guitarwork. 'Mothers Cry' recalls the melodic anthemic quality that makes Lagwagon's 'May 16' such an effective track. It's just that there's not enough of those moments on the album. Generally, it's workmanlike, run-of-the-mill punk. If that's what you're after, you'll find much to love on Black Tape.
7/10
The Explosion's Official Website
Virgin Records Official Website
