Pistol Grip have a tight and infectious approach to punk rock. While it's not jagged enough to recall forefathers such as
the Sex Pistols or
the Clash, it is definitely far removed from the corporate punk bands such as
A New Found Glory or
Good Charlotte. This is quite apparent on the piston-like "When the Ink Runs Dry," which recalls a great yet tamer
Social Distortion or
Green Day tune. The guitar weaving of both Chris and Hollywood are strong on this nearly two-minute gem. Slightly more aggressive is the fine "...For I Have Sinned" as lead singer Stax delivers the lyrics like a cross between
Bad Religion's
Greg Graffin and
Joe Strummer. However, it is tempered slightly with ordinary, routine singalong punk ditties such as "Never B Another" and the bass-driven "Give In."
Pistol Grip regain themselves with the lovely, polished and frantic "Rusted Lining," and the hell-raising "Dog in Prague" that opens like
Deep Purple's "Smoke on the Water" on high-speed dubbing. A bluesy Delta riff lays the groundwork for "Stained and Destructed" although it doesn't quite take off the way it should. Other good but not great tunes include the one-two punch of "Can't Keep Us Silent," and the more pleasing and rambunctious "Word of Mouth" which recalls
the Chords. An acoustic offering entitled "Closing Time" sounds like filler and average at best. A stronger closing "Lead the Way" makes this a generally very good album. ~ Jason MacNeil