Spring Break
American Steel solidifies again
Album Review: American Steel
Natalye Childress Smith
Issue date: 11/7/07 Section: Features
After what can only be described as a five year definite break, Oakland punk rockers American Steel have surprised fans by unexpectedly reuniting to release their fourth full-length, "Destroy Their Future," which came out Oct. 2 on Fat Wreck Chords.
"Destroy Their Future" is characterized by the same gritty guitar style and grating vocals that first caught the attention of the Easy Bay scene in 1995. It features 12 new tracks in a clean, but not overly produced, 35-minute package.
Unfortunately, it seems with these boys, the arrival of something good always comes with a cost - in this case, the sacrifice of another great band. When American Steel first called in quits in 2002, the result was a new band, Communique, which boasted three of the members and figured in a couple new faces.
Since American Steel's reunion in the first half of 2007, the Moog-ish, new wave sounding Communique has been set on the back burner. In both cases, singer/guitarist Rory Henderson had realized the songs he was writing for the respective bands just didn't fit. While starting a new band to fit a new sound might inspire accusations of selling out, Henderson felt the need to distinguish between the two styles by creating a clear boundary between them.
What has come about as a result of splitting creativity between the bands is instead a brilliant meshing of the two. American Steel is still American Steel, but there is no denying a certain Communique-esque influence which carried over into the new incarnation.
In spite of what a loyalist might say, this is a good thing; it would have been disappointing if the reunion of a band didn't really give the fans anything different or new.
The basic elements are the same. Lead singer and guitarist Henderson's voice can take the most serene moments and inspire you to take action - whether it's punching someone in the face or changing the world. Guitarist Ryan Massey is capable of jarring even the most agreeable tune. Bassist John Peck skillfully drives the songs and drummer Scott Healy carries the band through with his solid, unwavering punk rock beat.
"Destroy Their Future" is characterized by the same gritty guitar style and grating vocals that first caught the attention of the Easy Bay scene in 1995. It features 12 new tracks in a clean, but not overly produced, 35-minute package.
Unfortunately, it seems with these boys, the arrival of something good always comes with a cost - in this case, the sacrifice of another great band. When American Steel first called in quits in 2002, the result was a new band, Communique, which boasted three of the members and figured in a couple new faces.
Since American Steel's reunion in the first half of 2007, the Moog-ish, new wave sounding Communique has been set on the back burner. In both cases, singer/guitarist Rory Henderson had realized the songs he was writing for the respective bands just didn't fit. While starting a new band to fit a new sound might inspire accusations of selling out, Henderson felt the need to distinguish between the two styles by creating a clear boundary between them.
What has come about as a result of splitting creativity between the bands is instead a brilliant meshing of the two. American Steel is still American Steel, but there is no denying a certain Communique-esque influence which carried over into the new incarnation.
In spite of what a loyalist might say, this is a good thing; it would have been disappointing if the reunion of a band didn't really give the fans anything different or new.
The basic elements are the same. Lead singer and guitarist Henderson's voice can take the most serene moments and inspire you to take action - whether it's punching someone in the face or changing the world. Guitarist Ryan Massey is capable of jarring even the most agreeable tune. Bassist John Peck skillfully drives the songs and drummer Scott Healy carries the band through with his solid, unwavering punk rock beat.
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