Lars Frederiksen & The Bastards - Viking
I really liked the first record these guys put out. It was somewhat similar to Rancid with big melodies and sing alongs but had a dirtier street punk style with the punk equivalent of thug life rap lyrics. On this second effort the formula is left largely intact but for some reason this release lacks any truly standout songs like the several that graced their first record. While the songs are played with energy and are somewhat faster and meaner than their first effort, they lack any distinguishing characteristics to set them apart from each other or the myriad bands playing this style.
This is pretty disappointing as this is essentially the same songwriting team as Rancid. There's no reason these guys should be writing material as generic as this or even letting arguably boring songs like "Mainlining Murder", "Switchblade" and "The Kids Are Quiet On Sharmon Palms" be released to the public. Ironically one of the better cuts on the album, the short but sweet "Little Rude Girl" sounds more like a Rancid outtake, with proper backing vocals and melodies, than a song belonging on this record. This fact just serves to underline the point that maybe Lars is better sticking with his main band from here on out.
There are a few variances here worth noting, mainly the salty pirate jig duet with fellow Rancid band mate Tim Armstrong "My Life To Live" and the closer "The Viking". "My Life To Live" has a mandolin vibe running under a tale of pillaging hookers coast to coast complete with dozens of callouts to all their favorite ladies of the night. It's pretty catchy but maybe unduly so given the lack of quality material surrounding it. "The Viking" is basically a straight blues ballad accompanied by mournful strings that could have been a disaster given it's five minute running time but with Lars' gruff vocals and love 'em and leave 'em lyrics it doesn't come across as cheesy at all.
I have to say that this album is a bit of a disappointment. The first record is a great record and one I still find myself playing quite a bit but this one, while energetic and well played, is just too formulaic to really grab your attention. I'm sure die hard Rancid fans will still find things to like here as I have but this is certainly not essential.
This is pretty disappointing as this is essentially the same songwriting team as Rancid. There's no reason these guys should be writing material as generic as this or even letting arguably boring songs like "Mainlining Murder", "Switchblade" and "The Kids Are Quiet On Sharmon Palms" be released to the public. Ironically one of the better cuts on the album, the short but sweet "Little Rude Girl" sounds more like a Rancid outtake, with proper backing vocals and melodies, than a song belonging on this record. This fact just serves to underline the point that maybe Lars is better sticking with his main band from here on out.
There are a few variances here worth noting, mainly the salty pirate jig duet with fellow Rancid band mate Tim Armstrong "My Life To Live" and the closer "The Viking". "My Life To Live" has a mandolin vibe running under a tale of pillaging hookers coast to coast complete with dozens of callouts to all their favorite ladies of the night. It's pretty catchy but maybe unduly so given the lack of quality material surrounding it. "The Viking" is basically a straight blues ballad accompanied by mournful strings that could have been a disaster given it's five minute running time but with Lars' gruff vocals and love 'em and leave 'em lyrics it doesn't come across as cheesy at all.
I have to say that this album is a bit of a disappointment. The first record is a great record and one I still find myself playing quite a bit but this one, while energetic and well played, is just too formulaic to really grab your attention. I'm sure die hard Rancid fans will still find things to like here as I have but this is certainly not essential.
