Review: MxPx “Plans Within Plans”

Punk rock
It’s hard to believe that MxPx has been cranking out their brand of “positive punk” for nearly two decades now. You might have thought they disappeared from the scene because we haven’t heard from them since 2007’s “Secret Weapon”. Furthermore, lead vocalist and bassist Mike Herrera has been busy with side projects like his punk western ensemble, Tumbledown (reviewed here).

But on April 3, MxPx returned with their ninth studio record, “Plans Within Plans”, mixed and mastered by punk rock legend and guitarist for the Descendents, Stephen Egerton (who also throws in a guest guitar spot on several tracks). Reflecting on the time off and the influences on the new record, Herrera states, “We all deal with changes differently. We’ve had to realize over the years that regardless of what those changes are, we’ve managed to remain true to the band and adjust things accordingly.”

“Aces Up” kicks the disc off with thundering, fast-paced drums and equally quick guitar riffs and vocals. This is followed by “Screw Loose”, which features thundering, fast-paced drums and equally quick guitar riffs and vocals. This is followed by “Nothing Left”, which features thundering, fast-paced drums and equally quick guitar riffs and vocals. I think you see the problem here.

But then comes “The Times” – a welcome change of pace that is smartly written with positive lyrics and a memorable hook. “Far Away” is the first single and considered the “flagship song” by the band. It is a trademark MxPx tune about overcoming obstacles and is just bursting with energy. As with most MxPx records, “Plans Within Plans” comes at you hard and fast, leaving you pumped, refreshed, and ready to take on the world. While dancing along the edges of monotony by stacking a lot of songs with the same hyper pace, there are several oases on “Plans” really worth writing home about. Those additional highlights include “Best Of Times” (no, not a Styx cover), “Cast Down My Heart”, and “When It Comes To You”.

MxPx – Official site.

Review: Arthur “Watch The Years Crawl By”

Rock
Arthur is a side project of current and past members of the Bremerton, WA punk band MxPx. Lead by the versatile Mike “Arthur” Herrera, Arthur is a clear departure from MxPx into more mainstream pop punk, such as Blink-182 or Jimmy Eat World. Arthur first came onto the scene in 1999 with an EP entitled “Loneliness Is Bliss”, which incidentally is now available for the first time as a digital download at the official web site below. “Watch The Years Crawl By” is the long awaited full-length debut from Arthur.

Like MxPx and Tumbledown, Arthur helps to prove that almost everything Mike Herrera touches turns to gold. The 12 songs on this hotly anticipated side project have a very melodic appeal and lend themselves well to contemporary radio. The boys are restrained compared to the raw energy of MxPx, but not so restrained that their passion for the music isn’t felt. And some tunes, like “Heartache”, channel the high octane pace of their punk roots. “Watch The Years Crawl By” has no throwaways or filler, as each song is likeable. The tunes are quick and to the point, getting to the hook fast. In some cases, almost too fast…the song is so short it sounds more like an idea that needed to be fleshed out further. Highlights include “Cold Outside”, “America”, “Heartache”, and “Still Haven’t Reached You”. There is quite the power ballad in “To Have and To Hold” that I think most people would enjoy as well.

iPOD-worthy: 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 11, 12

Arthur on MySpace. Official site.

Listen to “America”

Review: Tumbledown “Empty Bottle”

Tumbledown is the brainchild of Mike Herrera, frontman for renowned 90s punk rockers MxPx. Combining his love for roots rock Americana (the likes of Woody Guthrie, Woody Nelson, Johnny Cash) with punk rock, Herrera has carved a rather unique niche out for Tumbledown. The two seemingly disparate musical genres actually have quite a lot in common – songs of hard luck sung with a lot of heart and a snotty attitude make up many of our country’s timeless classics. Tumbledown, which takes its name from the “tumbledown shacks” described in Guthrie’s biography, “takes the sepia-tinged image of Americana and sends it hurtling into the present”.

“Empty Bottle” is the latest from the band, following the notable self-titled debut (reviewed here). On this second release, Tumbledown sounds matured and comfortable, with Jack Parker providing plenty of licks and brothers Marshall and Harley Trotland providing plenty of kick on the stand up bass and drums. Bass is particularly important in this style of music and the country thumpin’ notes laid down here drive the music along like a rambling Ford truck speeding downhill on a worn dirt road. “Empty Bottle” may as well be a concept album about drinking, although other vices are usually mentioned as well. It’s not bad for a song or two, but such narrow lyrical themes begin to wear themselves out pretty quick. After the initial laughs, the lampshade over your head routine just isn’t funny anymore.

The raucous opener, “Places In This Town” is a promising way to start the record – classic Tumbledown sound with interesting chord changes and a big sing-a-long chorus. The bass in the title track is terrific, but it’s the chemistry of the band as a whole that makes “Meet The Devil” a better track overall. First single, “Arrested In El Paso Blues”, is a nod to Johnny Cash and will surely please fans of the first record. For my money, I’d bet on “Great Big World” and “Bad News” to be the favorites of new fans – these two are among the most radio-friendly songs the band has written. Finally, “A Thousand More Times” is a welcome change of pace, a ballad climaxing with some unexpected and effective strings.

Tumbledown delivers another solid slice of Americana punk, but it is a great big world indeed and I wish these guys would write about something other than drinking. Consequently, “Empty Bottle” goes down better as a quick shot rather than a fine wine.

iPOD-worthy: 1, 3, 5, 8, 10

Tumbledown on MySpace. Official site.

Review: Mike Herrera's Tumbledown

Mike Herrera's Tumbledown is a side project for the frontman of the punk rock band MxPx. His self-titled debut is described as "Pop-Punk-a-Billy", so I wasn't too sure what to expect when I popped the CD into my player. Turns out that it sounds like what the Soggy Bottom Boys (the fictional bluegrass band from "O Brother, Where Art Thou?") may have recorded if they formed today rather than during the 1930s.

Tumbledown is a unique mash-up of punk, rockabilly, and country rock that may be likened to a collaboration between MxPx and Hank Williams. It is not something I would pick off the music menu routinely, but this style is refreshing to have every now and then. I don't think anyone could have pulled off the idea with greater success than Herrera. Herrera's voice is remarkably adaptive and makes this unusual blend of genres really work, at times with amazing results. He reminds me of a vibrant version of Mike Ness (Social Distortion). Lyrically, Herrera channels a lot of George Thorogood, with plenty of songs about hard luck, fightin' and drinkin' - if you ever need a good drinking soundtrack, "Tumbledown" more than qualifies. The energy and intrigue that imbues this project keeps it interesting, and the guitar work is extraordinary.

Check out Tumbledown if you like Stray Cats, Mojo Nixon, Beat Farmers, Social Distortion, or if you have a musically adventurous spirit that wonders what John Denver might have sounded like if he were adopted by The Ramones. I bet you are curious now, so go get a six-pack and check them out now.

iPOD-worthy: 4, 5, 8

Mike Herrera's Tumbledown on MySpace. Official site.