I reviewed this band’s debut full-length just barely a year ago, and at the time, THE ARRIVALS were very much caught up in the similar sounds of midwestern friends, DILLINGER FOUR. Now, with another record under their belts, these guys are falling more into their own combo of rock and punk, and although it’s a little slower than their prior material, it’s grittier and even more low-fi (intentionally, of course). The sixth track, “Just Another Union Song,” really typifies this band well – as it could be the soundtrack for any junkyard derby, all around the country. The “rock” element is pure and unrelenting, and the guitar solo at the end of that tune is just ripping. I particularly like the song title for track 10, which reads, “This is my shovel, this is my grave.” These guys burn through 12 songs in 25 minutes, leaving little, if any room for fluff, and a whole lotta open beer cans along the way. If this band isn’t playing some dive bar in your hometown at any time in the near future, drop them a line on their website and get them to pay you a visit.

Thick Records

www.thickrecords.com