BULLETS AND OCTANE “The Revelry”
Orange County, California’s BULLETS AND OCTANE drop a sizzling platter of mostly swift, well-played, classic punk rock on their debut full-length, The Revelry. Drawing heavily from southern California’s rich history of legendary punk bands, BULLETS AND OCTANE dabble with the heady rock instincts of SOCIAL DISTORTION, the melodic fortitudes of AGENT ORANGE, and courtesy of producer Gilby Clarke, a firm stamping of GUNS N’ ROSES swagger. It would be foolhardy to elevate BULLETS AND OCTANE into such a remarkable class already, but it’s clear that they’ve taken inspiration from a fine library of tunes. Throughout all eleven tracks on this disc, BULLETS AND OCTANE tinker with various tempos and vocal styles, forgoing monotony and narrow-mindedness, but not forgetting how to bring the rock. Some of the band’s songwriting approaches can be a bit too ambitious for its own good, however, as shown on the fourth song, “Pirates,” where the song’s chorus essentially consumes the basic beat of the tune, while the vocals take on a strangely Muppet-like characteristic. The seventh track, “Places,” also sticks out in a disconcerning pose, with a ballardish mindset that not even MOTLEY CREW would approve of – even on their 15th Greatest Hits package. On the other hand, the fifth and six tracks to this disc positively show what BULLETS AND OCTANE are capable of stringing together, with memorable hooks, and oodles of guitar-rockin’ goodness. Additionally, the first song, “Save Me Sorrow,” packs a big ol’ punch with its “wooooo-ohhhhhhhh” backing vocals, and the ninth track, “Holdin’ On,” smolders with thick, chunky guitars, and a vocal offering that will remain in your head for days. Simple, but effective, The Revelry earns its redeeming marks when it stays as familar as possible. There’s always room at this table for another competent, exciting punk rock band, and BULLETS AND OCTANE deserve an already-warmed seat.
Criterion
