Customer Reviews

The Living End

5 star:		(97)
4 star:		(10)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

The Living End. What a name for a promising up and coming rock band. If they are the best of what's to come, we are all in for a big treat. Although the lyrics are sometimes a little simple, as on the songs "Strange" or "Bloody Mary" there is no denying the promise this band shows. Their seamless connection of three genres, ska, punk, and rockabilly is amazing, and they pull it all off very credibly. In terms of sound they come off as a clash between the Clash and Brian Setzer, quite a unique hybrid at that. Still, regardless of the innovativeness and originality at play here, what's important is that the band pulls it off; almost effortlessly. Songs like "I Want a Day", "Have they Forgotten?", "Fly Away" , "Growing Up", "Second Solution", "Save the Day" and hit single "Prisoner of Society" are good examples of the Oi-punk/ska and rockabilly mix that is so elusive, melodic and oh so catchy. Highly innovative and well-read in the schools of rockabilly, punk, ska and straight ahead rock n'roll, the Living End takes cues from everyone from Elvis to the Reverend Horton Heat to Sid Vicious. Their exceptional musicianship and keen sense of purpose only helps to further their cause. Quite simply, in a genre like punk rock that has been virtually carpet-bombed with over-hyped, pissed off dissidents with not enough sense to rub together a coherent thought, Australia's The Living End is the real shrimp on the Barbie.

I absolutely love this CD! When I read several reviews saying that if you like Green Day you would like Living End I was pretty skeptical. I didn't think I could like anything as much as I like Green Day and basically I didn't think a band with a stand up base from Australia could turn out a cool CD. But I was wrong. This CD is filled with catchy as hell songs which drive you to listen to it over and over again. As soon as I heard Second Solution I knew these guys had serious talent and the rest of the ablum didn't disapoint. If you want a great punk album which uses elements of other genres to create a new and amazing sound, BUY THIS ALBUM!

This is an excellent album. I have listened and own all their albums and i have to say this is pretty much there best. I like this album and roll on alot. This album i think is a little better though. There is just something about this band that distingushes them differently from every other punk or rock band. They have a certain style or flair to them. Maybe its that they decided to use an upright bass instead of bass guitar. I dunno. But this is a great album and great band. Get this album if your a fan of rockabilly, punk, or if you would just like to hear a great guitarist by the name of Chris Cheney. Just get this cd. Its awesome. i will tell about the best songs on the cd.

Prisoner of Society- always a classic. first heard this a couple years ago and fell in love with it. very catchy and a great guitar. very rebellious lyrics. i like that

Growing Up- awesome song, upbeat guitar, danceable

Monday- one of my favorite songs on the cd. awesome guitar, great lyrics, very catchy, and has a certain happiness to it, i like it.

Save the Day- wonderful.

Trapped- unexpected ska song on the cd. its great though. a little slow at first then leads into some upbeat ska punk,

Fly Away- awesome guitar, very catchy, and in the middle of the song it has an amazing guitar solo from chris, very catchy and rockabilly-like

Strange- good lyrics, good everything

well this is the conclusion of my review, its cool if you took time to read it, well, ok, this is an awesome cd. BUY IT!

U have to love the living end. I will say this : Chris Cheney is a brilliant guitarist and his vocals are absolutely amazing. Scott Owens bass work is brilliant, and plus, he plays an upright bass instead of a bass guitar. I love Trav Demseys mind-blowing drumming. U have no idea how many times i have found myself playing an air guitar during this album to every song. My favourites are Have they forgotten, Fly away, the instrumental Closing in, and more than any other, Monday.

WOW. If you can rate a cd 6 stars this is it. I f you are into punk music you have stumbled upon the mother load. Similar in style to bands like Greenday, the offspring, the Ramones, and Blink-182, this hard hitting Australian punk band will rock your world. With an explosive combonation of guitar and vocal skills from lead singer chris cheney, and the upright bass stylings of scotty owens, songs like "prisoner of society" blare from your cd player with a heavy clear sound. The lyrics are fantastic the music is great, the singing is awesome, all together this is a band with talent, and if you enjoy punk music, and dont own this record you are missing out. Don't wait another second go buy this cd, and support great music.

For many yankees on the mainland who havent heard of this great aussie band listen up. Go out now and buy this cd. Every person that I have showed this to has fallen in love with the band. Chris Cheney on vocals and guitar will honestly blow you away, and having an upright bass, reminiscent of the Stray Cats, adds an edge to this music that many bands cannot achieve. There really isn't a genre you could accurately put this record into, because it takes varied styles, rockabilly, punk, oi, british pop, and ska and mixes them into something seldom heard. This first lp of TLE is their best to date, but if you end up loving this definetly go out and buy all their other cds, Hellbound/It's for your own Good and Roll On. Although they seldom play shows in the U.S., they are amazing live and hopefully will come out to promote their newest album. Still skeptic? Download Prisoner of Society and you may understand.

I bought this CD for "Prisoner of Society", the only song I'd heard. Fearing a one hit wonder, I popped it in and listened to it all the way through. A solid blend of The Clash, Green Day, and The Stray Cats, this album didn't dissapoint me. I'm assuming its been out in Australia for a while. For other Americans who have only heard "Prisoner" don't worry there's more where that came from.

Yes, folks. This is one of those "10 Essential Albums" that you want to take with you when you are stranded for years on a desert island. Just about every song here is crisp, clean, fresh, catchy, driving, and just plain musical. The vocals are great, the musicianship is excellent, the material is superb. How can a punk band sound so polished? It doesn't make a lot of sense to me, but from my first listen of the first song, "Prisoner of Society", I've been a believer. Now years later, this album stays close to my CD player at all times.

If you look back at the early days of rock's British Invasion, you'll find just about the last example of "power rock" that The Living End brings back to life. The songs are catchy, but with an edge. The playing isn't perfect, but the raw edges make it more authentic. There are no self-satisfying endless drum or guitar solos. Nothing gets in the way of the music. In short, this is what the world has been waiting for ever since the early days of the Rolling Stones.

Buy it. Listen to it. Love it.

Catchy pop-punk hooks, booming ska rythyms, and furious rockabilly swagger is what we get treated to with The Living End's self-titled cd. Elements of Green Day, The Mighty Mighty Bosstones, The Stray Cats with a little dash of Shadowy Men on a Shadow Planet make this record an absolutely brilliant listening experience. This is one of those albums that shine completely throughout without any urge to press the skip button, as every song has a different groove than the last, and all just plain kick ass. Guitarist/Lead Singer Chris Cheney has a voice that is very reminiscent of Green Day's Billie Joe Armstrong, and has guitar licks that recall Reverend Horton Heat and Duane Eddy. The band is a three piece power trio who deliver the same kind of punch as Green Day as well with their pop-punk sound, but have a knack of spontaneously jumping into Fishbone-like ska interludes and surf-rockabilly guitar wind-outs. For an alternative to the likes of Good Charlotte and Simple Plan check these guys out right now as this is what pop-punk should sound like.

I stole this CD from my dad... and I am so glad I did! The Living End (by The Living End) is one of my favorite CDs right now. Chris Cheney is an AMAZING guitarist, combining punk guitar stylings with jazz, ska, metal, and classic rock. My favorite song is "West End Riot". Another good song is "Bloody Mary", but actually, all of the songs are good. "Closing In" is probably the best way to end ANY CD... it's awesome, just listen to it. If you buy this CD, prepare to listen to a great lesser-known punk band!!