Customer Reviews

Lars Frederiksen & The Bastards

5 star:		(32)
4 star:		(10)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This sounds alot like Rancid. Yes, that is a compliment, not a complaint. Lars Fredriksen has composed one of the best punk rock albums I've ever heard. He brings in inspiriation from all over for it. Traces of Blitz, Skrewdriver, The Business, Motorhead, and even Bruce Springstein (Lars admitted the idea of an album based on his life was very similar to what "the Boss" did with his own life in the 70s). One of the most interesting and inspirational punk rock albums ever. My only complaints are the Intro is kinda lame, and I wish it was longer! Lars has great vocal style, remenicent of Lemmy, and the guitars are full on grinding punk rock! This is not some lame, Rancid wannabe album, in any way. Obviously, being in Rancid, Lars' song-writing ability is going to resemble their style big time, but he adds enough personal touches, and takes enough inspiration from his musical influences growing up, that this album is, dare I say it, better than Rancid at times. Anyway, highly recomended.

in an age where punk has become a bit packaged, glossy, and (aw, jeez), marketed- thank God for Lars Frederiksen & the Bastards. i'd just sworn off popular radio, cursing the kids these days with their limp bizkit and big pants so the self titled debut produced by Tim Armstrong & Hellcat Records could not have come at a better time. This album could very well have been a Rancid offering for its pace and power smack of their first album (which would have been fine with me). But the fact that Lars provides the vocals with such conviction proves that it is truly his own and isn't just following a punk rock template. Lars tips his hat to Billy Bragg in a phenomenal cover of "to have and to have not" which i haven't been able to stop singing since hearing it. He also covers Motorhead's "Leaving Here" in a way that would make Lemmy proud. Each song is as strong as the one before it which is rare as hell (especially these days). Lars & the Bastards deliver a brand of punk rock that is gritty and angry as well as being musically valid. Meaning that sewn deftly into the rich tapestry of melodies is the attitude of a kid who never felt like he was part of anything giving the finger to the world.

Theres not a whole lot to say, except for it was way better than I thought it would be. When I received this, I didnt have high expectations, I thought it be dull and annoying, like perhaps the Blink 182 side project Boxcar Racer. But I was wrong. This IS good. Lars really does have alot of talent and I really enjoy his vocals. Lars really can sing well. Most of the songs, which are based on his years of growing up in Campbell California, are very good ecspecially Wine and Roses, Anti Social, Skunx, To Have and To Have Not and Six Foot Five. If you like Rancid, you'll love this CD. The songs have a nice old school sound to them which is rare these days. They sound alot like the Rancid songs that Lars sings such as Bloodclot and Otherside. Despite this, they still have Lars's own personal touches which is what makes this so good. I cant wait for the Bastards upcoming release. I heard it would be out somethime this summer. Moving on, the bottom line is, if you like Rancid, pick this up. It wont disappoint you.

It pains me to say that this might have been one of five best albums of 2001. Every song is inspired by agrresive catchiness. All the songs are very good and some of them border on perfect. This is better than the last 2 Rancid albums combined. If you like rancid or punk music in general i would get this. Don't get Viking that album is garbage.

This CD is awesome for anyone who likes Rancid's sound. This puts a different twist on it but keeps the same choatic beat and classic guitar sounds. I recommend this CD to any punk rockers out there who enjoy Rancid.

I have only heard one track off this album so far (dead american) which I got as an advance at the radio station I am Music Director at KSUN in Northern California. It seems Lars is going back to his roots and once again playing fast and furious '77 style punk rock. It appears that he is the vocal talent on this record which is no surprise. The first single is pure raw and wonderful punk rock. If you like the newest rancid album and or the first you must get your hands on this record. It is one of the best new punk releases I have seen and being that I work at an underground/punk radio station I see alot of it.

....KINDA like rancid 2000(their second self-title),lars and the bastards release this powerful album......destroying all those weaky,punk-pop bands with furious themes as dead american and skunx....these guys rule! if you're a real punk rocker......go right now and buy it....if not,you can go tomorrow or the next week................!

I was really stoked for this to come out yet felt let down when I heard it. The song composition is a lot more basic than anything Rancid has ever done. Whereas Rancid's lyrics are really unique, these are quite generic. I really don't understand why this album gets so much praise. I think it's primarily a function of people trying to be conformist punks by supporting a more underground punk band and adopting a 'punker-than-thou' mentality.
Campbell California is a total ripoff of Skrewdriver's Tomorrow Belongs to Me (a very weak song). Many people vehemently disagree with this, so download the original ... song and compare and see for yourself. It's obvious Lars has listened along the way.
All this said, the first three songs are outstanding.
Dead American and 6 Foot 5 are exceptional trax, and To Have or Have Not is a great cover.
After these songs, the album is very average, and definitely not even close to being amongst the best punk rock.

ok i wanna start off by saying to hell with anyone that dont like rancid. now with that said on to what i think of this album. i bought this album not only cuz i like rancid but because someone told me it was good. i was a little worried it might not be to great but when i put it in the stereo all my fears went away. this album is everything i expected... and more! LARS FREDERIKSEN is one bad M.F. and he displays it on all of the tracks. it is hard to pick a favorite song on this album cuz it is truly one of those you can play all the way through without skipping a track. the stand out songs would have to be "SIX FOOT FIVE", "10 PLAGUES OF EGYPT" and "SKUNX" for the... guitar playing by LARS. dont get me wrong, the other band members are no slouches either. in fact they are awesome. as for the sound of this album, i get a old school vibe from it. i get a different feel from it then a rancid album, for one i think it to be a little more hard. i really hope LARS and the other bastards put out another album cuz if this ones any indication then it will be another classic.

This may sound a little like Rancid's recent release , but it's a pure slice of Lar's and the Bastards ...and hardcore punk , and truthfully I like this alot more than my other 5 Rancid albums ......"To Have And TO Have Not" , "dead American" , "Skunx" , "Army Of Zombies".....soon to be punk classics.....this is PUNK....so blink fans sod off