Reviews | June/ July 2008

STATIC RADIO NJ | "AN EVENING OF BAD DECISIONS "
CD | Black Numbers Records
Reviewed: July 1st, 2008

Static Radio's debut EP on Chunksaah was one of the absolute best records of 2007. The four-piece from New Brunswick, NJ later re-released the EP along with two bonus songs on a CD through Black Numbers. But even with the two extra tunes the EP left me wanting more, a whole lot more. That EP is one of the strongest debuts I've ever heard, so to say that I had some very high expectations on their first longplayer is really an understatement. How the hell do you top something like that?
Well, the debut album "An Evening of Bad Decisions" is now spinning in my stereo and all I can say is that Static Radio did not only top the EP - they've totally outdone themselves. If this record gets the attention that it deserves, Static Radio will be considered to play the same league as bands like the Bouncing Souls. Personally I like Static Radio even more than I like the Souls (it's true).
So what makes this record better than their EP? Well, first of all Mike's vocals have reached another level for sure. There's a lot more singing on this record than on their first. But don't get this wrong, the screaming hardcore outbursts are still an important part of the band's music. Songs like "Bothered" or "Ferren Decks" are proof of that. The thing is that the new record is more melodic over all and basically there's more punk rock on it. I really like the more melodic parts and along with the rougher cuts on the album it's the diversity of the songs that completes the circle.
One of my absolute favorites is a little piece called "Places" which reminds me a little bit of my old heroes Face To Face. I also really like the Lifetime-smelling "Statelines". Last but not least I'm gonna have to mention a tune called "Fin" which starts out with just a guitar and the vocals and then breaks into a rock'n'roll anthem a la the Loved Ones. This is probably the song in which Mike's real voice shines through the most and I dig it a lot. It's also the one that sticks out the most on the album and is just another proof of Static Radio's kick-ass songwriting.
Punk rock record of the year? Most definitely!