Media Review

Time Again

Darker Days (CD)

Hellcat Record
website | mySpace | pureVolume

Overall Rating:

5.5

Music Quality: 7.5

Production: 8.5

Originality: 1.0

When I was about nine years old, an album called And Out Come The Wolves was released by Rancid. I wasn’t listening to it at that point (cause… I was nine) but it took the punk world by storm and has since been one of the most memorable punk rock albums of its time. Flash forward to the recent Hellcat signing Time Again, who sound beyond a reasonable doubt like Rancid. Their previous album was similar to the self-titled Rancid album, but after listening to their latest outing, Darker Days sounds beyond similar to And Out Come The Wolves.
The beginning starts off with ‘Day Like This’, which has a prominent bass line similar to that off the Rancid track ‘ Maxwell Murder’. The album is constant in its fast paced punk sound as tracks like ‘One Way or Another’, ‘Montreal (Street Kids), and ‘Movin On’ are all similar to the skate punk sound that their obvious influence inspired. However, the album does have a few stand out tracks such as the title track ‘Darker Days’ which could prove a bit more accessible to a larger audience with it’s anthem-like chorus. Also songs like ‘Soon It Will Be’ which shows to be repetitive but fun.
It’s amazing how similar Darker Days is to the Rancid album in question. Normally, I hate to use such blatant comparisons, as I believe it’s lazy writing, but the truth is that this album is exactly the same. The only difference is that Time Again neglects the reggae or ska aspect that Rancid was known for. While there is nothing unique about this album, if anything, it’s a fun throw back to the day where punk rock was actually on the radio. There is even a Ruby Soho type of track! (See: 'Lookin Back')

reviewed by Dave Giumara