Build And Burn

Label: Fat Wreck Chords

By now The Loved Ones should need no introduction, over the last year TLO’s have become a household name in punk rock.  Having seen TLO’s supporting Strike Anywhere last year, that was the only opportunity I’ve had to listen to them.   The first thing that hits you when you hear Build And Burn is Dave Hause’s vocal opening to Pretty Good Year, before bursting into what they do best; fast, melodic punk rock.

This album is unlike many punk albums being released; it has many different styles in their music.  Track three; The Bridge sees a change in pace to a more mellow sound with Hause’s vocals still shouted.  This is also where the album title comes from “In all the years I’ve been struggling, I’ve been haunted at every turn, I fight the fear as I’m growing old, and remember in all that I’ve learned that we build & burn”

The Hold Steady’s Franz Nicolay and Tad Kubler make a cameo appearance on this album, the track Selfish Masquerade with some great piano work.  One of the stand out and anthemic tracks is Louisiana, you’ll find yourself singing along with this before you know it.

The production on Build And Burn is as close to prefect as you can get.  It was produced by The Bouncing Souls’ Pete Steinkopf and Bryan Keinlen and as always with Fat Wreck it comes in quality package.  If you’re a fan of Bouncing Souls, The Lawrence Arms or The Draft; you need this album and it’s available from Feb 5^th.

by Dale