One for the birds

Artist: HIGH HOPES / Title: “AT THE END OF THE DAY” / Genré: HC / Format: CDR (DEMO) / Label: NONE (DEMO)

This is a good little record, I really like it.

What you get on this ‘un is 80′s inspired HC. Musically, it reminds me of bands like Bold and Turning Point. The usual youth crew stuff, that is.

Which is perhaps why I am surprised to see (or hear) no straight edge references on this ‘un. Do these geezers drink and smoke? That’s their biz and I won’t let it affect my view of them.

Lyrically, it’s posi-stuff, the wonderful idea (which I fully subscribe to) that one man can make a change.

So, to sum it up, what you get is fast, but not too fast, HC with a few semi-melodic bits to it, plenty of good moshing can be made to this, there’s a few sing-along momenets too.

Not groundbreaking in any sense, but they’re really good at what they’re doing.

Best tune on the record is the title tune.

I’ve heard from one of the band members that “Cursed to be…” will not be Dobermann Cult’s last album, on the contrary, they’ve got studio time booked for this summer. Just a rumour that has been going on.

Artist: DOBERMANN CULT / Title: “CURSED TO BE…” / Format: CD / Genré: HARDCORE / Label: MASS PRODUCTIONS

I’ve heard from listening into the Swedish punk blogosphere that this might be the last album from Dobermann Cult and that is really sad, cos the second album is always the hardest to succeed with, but Dobermann Cult has certainly done so with “Cursed to be…”. It’s at least as good as their debut, “When the shit hits the fans”.

I think Dobermann Cult is one of the best HC bands Sweden has seen and the secret behind their success lies in blending domestic Swedish HC with 80′s and 90′s American. This album, I think, smells more like 80′s and Swedish stuff, but there’s a few metally 90′s numbers on this ‘un too. What I really like about this particular record is that most songs have a section perfect for moshing to them.

Lyrically, it’s the same stuff as we’ve been used to from Dobermann Cult, commentaries on the scene, society, politics, etc. I like the fact that they’ve included lyrics to the CD inlay, cos they got loads of relevant things to say. Sometimes, they go a bit over the top, perhaps, as in the song “The Government”, but often, as in the song “Tyrants rule inc.”, they produce criticism with a respect for the listeners intelligence. I am nonpolitical and right wing at the same time, I support no particular political party, but have general conservative values and I like this, despite it being more to the left than to the right and if I can enjoy it, so can you.

Musically, the best number, I think, is “One man moshpit”.

This is a good record and the band will be surely missed, not just by me. I hope they continue to make good music with new bands, cos these lads certainly got talent!

One of my alltime fave Swedish HC acts, Dobermann Cult, has a new album out. Check ‘em out at: http://www.myspace.com/dobermanncult

A new act, from the city of Vallentuna, with a great 80′s sound, High Hopes, have introduced themselves. Check their songs out at: http://www.myspace.com/highhopeshc