Customer Reviews

Wake Up Screaming

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

In Slick Shoes' newest release they have created another album that is not unlike their other releases. The guitars are intricately played, the bass lines are talented, the drums are break-neck fast, and the vocals are excellent, just like Rusty and Burn Out. However, this time around the band had to deal with some challenges, they lost the amazing punk guitarist Jackson Mould because he needed to spend more time with his family. And "what did Slick Shoes do?" you ask. They overcame it, the band went out and recruited another talented guitar guy in Greg Togawa. Is he a completely worthy replacement of Jackson? Not exactly, but he is not just another power chord only guitar player, he is more than capable of playing sweet solos. Just check out "Have I Said Too Much?" and the superb remake of "I Guess." Now, let me get into the overall review for the album. Slick Shoes has really put alot of time and effort in this one, and it shows. I don't think this Palmdale, CA punk band is capable of putting out a weak release. They play some of the most talented new school punk around. These four guys take alot of pride in their music, and you should definately check 'em out if you have never heard of them. Possibly one of the most underrated/unheard of bands ever. If you like melodic/new school punk, buy this, and their other ones. Top tracks are...Another Day, Angel, Hide And Seek, Have I Said Too Much?, Elisa, There's A Reason, and I Guess.

This album is really good. After losing former guitarist Jackson Mould, who was one of the best rhythm guitarists in the punk rock world, Slick Shoes went out and found an able replacement in Greg Togawa. Togawa's guitar skills are evident on this album, although he is nowhere near the caliber of Mould, but then again, who is? This latest release from Slick Shoes moves more towards the pop-punk side, closer to bands like MxPx and Blink 182. However, the Strung Out comparisons still remain. Joe Nixon's insanely good and FAST drumming keep that feel on this CD. Ryan Kepke's voice has matured from the young 14 year old boy on "Rusty" to this album. He also has taken on the entire load of songwriting on this new album. Basically, this album rocks but still does not take the place of "Rusty" as Slick Shoes best CD to date. I wonder if Slick Shoes will ever make a CD better than that one. This CD, though, is very strong and is must-have for any serious punk rock listener. Songs like "Another Day", "Angel", "Hide and Seek" and "Said Too Much" make this album an excellent effort. This band is one I would like to see more of in the mainstream market to see how they would do. They are entirely too underrated and deserve a lot more than they get. Their sincere, honest, and God-centered lyrics make them good role models for teenagers.

The new Slick Shoes c.d."WAKE UP SCREAMING" is AWESOME! They have really matured since their other albums. The other C.D.s are good but this one is ALOT better...they have bold Christian lyrics with great tunes. They have more of a Blink 182 sound now(happy punk rock) and thats good! So if you like the old Slick Shoes music or if you like punk rock...GET THIS C.D.!

Slick Shoes made an awesome album in Wake Up Screaming. Although the lineup changed a little (Greg replacing Jackson and Dale), the patented punk sound is still there, evident in flying power chords and single-string solos. Ryan Kepke (lead vocals) strays a little from the punk vocals of the past, making them more melodic than the monotone of Rusty and the Slick Shoes EP. Joe Nixon continues to excel at drumming, although the drums aren't produced as loud as on Burn Out. A finely tuned ear can hear the awesome fills. After listening to this album a lot, it makes MXPX look like their new album is sissy-punk.

I have every Slick Shoes album except for the self titled EP. Thank god I started with Rusty and Burn Out and not this or I wouldn't have bought another SS album. All songs suffer from the same thing: they aren't consistent. A song may start out fine but then descends into what seems to be random drumming, monotenous singing and drab lyrics (never a strong point of SS)

I did listen to it for quite a while and on different occasions, 'cuz maybe I just wasn't ready for this "new" direction SS was going, but to this day I still very much dislike the album. The follow up Self-titled album was a step in the right direction, but still not that great. Thankfully they've redeemed themselves with Far from Nowhere, which sounds more like Rusty and Burn Out.

Only recommended to hardcore SS fans and if this is your first SS album, no NOT start with Wake Up Screaming

I think that Slick Shoes really displays a heartfelt message. Unlike what others have said, this cd is one of the best they've ever done. The message is very uplifting, especially in the song, "Constancy". What I am trying to say, is that some other bands don't come out and say it like SS. They did a wonderful job. This Alubum is TYTE

As soon as I heard this album I fell in love. Slick Shoes has taken a rather difficult situation (juggling three guitarists over a span of three years) and turned it to their favor with Wake Up Screaming. The guitar parts are much fuller and more intricate. The bass has that oh-so-luscious punk tone. The drumming is impeccably tight, like no other band these days, and with some incredible fills to boot. Ryan's vocals have improved so much from the days of Rusty, and his songwriting is coming along nicely. Production is much fuller and more free than previous projects. Outstanding tracks are 2, 4, 10, a few others I can't remember. If you are a fan of Slick Shoes, or have listened to them before, expect a change from older albums. They are experimenting melodically and structurally, but they haven't lost their speed, their tightness or their message. Buy this CD!!!!

I love melodic punk music. I have been listening to it for over five years. I bought this album because my friend's band used to play shows with these guys. When this album hit they were suddenly too cool to play shows with the bands they once were seen with. Why? I have no idea, because this album is SO BAD! I played through it twice, thinking that there must have been something I had missed, some great overpowering message, or some shining moment of talent. NOTHING! It is a cold, dead collection of uselessly melodramatic tweaks. I was so disappointed I almost cried. Then I fed the cd to my dog.

This is the first CD that I ever heard by Slick Shoes, and it was good enough to make me a life long fan and pick up their other releases. This CD is one of the most solid CD's I've heard to this day, the songs on it are full of emotion and lyrics that seem to still hit me these many years later. One thing I have to say in reference to some of the other reviews is that Greg Togawa more than a capable replaces to Jackson Mould, even though I completely dig on what Jackson was/is able to bring to this band, I think that the two releases that Greg was on the best albums Slick Shoes ever put out, maybe not on a pop punk level, but on a musical level.

well i know ryan joe and some and the other guys in the band
ryan is a great singer and joe is a asome drumer and on this
album wake up sreeming the sownd is asome the guitar and drums
are asome i love this album so buy this album if you like the
band thanks mike