Our Rating

User Rating

(No Ratings Yet)

Loading...

It took 7 years and a drummer replacement for this to finally get off the ground but now it’s here. It was hinted first on Hellcat’s Give Em The Boot V Sampler CD. Than again in 2 12 inch Singles. Now in 2010 we get the self titled debut of Devil’s Brigade. The Long-Awaited Psychobilly/Punk/Gothic Rock Side-Project of Matt “McCall” Freeman. Founding member of bands such as Operation Ivy, Dance Hall Crashers, Downfall, MDC, and his most famous band Rancid with fellow DHC/OPIV bandmate Tim Armstrong (who appears on 2 songs on this album. He also produced the album). Originally this was a Psychobilly version of Rancid untill Brett Reed’s departure from Rancid in 2006. After touring for Rancid’s Let The Dominoes Fall, Freeman enlisted legendary drummer Donald J. “DJ” Bonebrake into the fray and with buddy Tim Armstrong providing studio guitar and backing vocals. He finally traded his bass guitar for an Up-right bass. We got Devil’s Brigade.

Although it took 7 years to finally come out, it was well worth it for fans of Gothic style music. This album is a mix of everything for any type of person’s musical taste. You’ve got fight songs, gothic songs, punk songs, and rock songs. “I’m Movin’ Through” (the lead single) and “My Own Man Now” sound off the album with your typical fast-paced style you’d heard Freeman do for over 19 years now. “Shakedown” is a perfect handoff for Freeman as this marks his 25th year in rock & roll since he first appeared in Operation Ivy. “Bridge Of Gold” (featuring fellow Rancid bandmates Tim Armstrong and Lars Frederiksen) first sounds like a blue grass song but as you further listen into it, it’s really a song about the gold rush in the west in the 1800’s. It’s a really good song and it’s one of my favorite tracks on the album.

Yes folks there’s a song about tellin’ an ex to fuck off called “Darlene”. My other favorite song from this album is “Vampire Girl”. It’s the perfect goth song for anyone who’s into the whole “vampire” thing that’s going on right now. This song was originaly on 2003’s “Give em the Boot 5 sampler”. This version is re-recorded and it sounds 20 times clearer and harder than it’s original version! “Gentleman Of The Road” (Ft Tim Armstrong of Rancid/Transplants) is sorta the mix of Psychobilly with some reggae, new wave, and Ska. It’s also a good song to listen to while drunk or smoking a joint. “Protest Song”…well you fill in the blanks. It’s pretty much a protest song for protest songs…Nuff Said. As mentioned earlier, this is an album with alot of Gothic like themes to it and the closing song is no exception. “Half Way To Hell” is a song about knowing he’s going right to hell when he’s gone. It’s just a good way to end an album with the lines “I’ll be half way to hell when I fall!”.

Now that this album has finally come out, it’s safe to say the legacy that Matt Freeman and Tim Armstrong has built has now come full circle, and that all 4 members of Rancid have released albums outside the fray (if you count the albums Branden Steineckert played drums for with The Used). Now the tree has grown and it’s just a matter of time before this tree will start bearing its fruit. If you don’t add this cd to your collection then it’s your loss! 5 outta 5 and I’m gonna try my hardest to convince Scottie to at least add one of these songs to a future SOTW section. This is a really good CD and I recommend it to anybody who reads this review. Just a reminder: at the time this review was posted, Devil’s Brigade started a fall 2010 Tour with Street Dogs! So see these guys live if you get a chance!

Tracklisting

1. I’m Movin’ Through
2. My Own Man Now
3. Shakedown
4. Bridge Of Gold Featuring Tim Armstrong and Lars Frederiksen
5. Darlene
6. Ride Harley
7. Who’s Gonna Save You Now
8. Desperate Times
9. Vampire Girl
10. Gentleman Of The Road Ft Tim Armstrong
11. Protest Song
12. Half Way To Hell

Websites

RancidRancid.com
MySpace.com/Rancid
Epitaph.com

Record Label:

• Epitaph Records

Release Date:

• 08/31/2010

Reviewer:

• -KM-