THE CASUALTIES

"On The Front Line"

SideOneDummy Records

It has become a rarity for most punk bands to make a new record that is actually better than the one preceding it. I've seen band after band start incorporating more pop/emo, or reggae influenced music into their own for the sake of "progression". However, The Casualties have returned faster, angrier, and more hardcore than ever before, and for The Casualties, that's saying a lot.

The first thing you notice as soon as "On The Front Line" starts playing, is that the instrumentation is much better than anything they've ever done before. Guitar, bass, drums, and vocals are all in time with each other, and it creates a tight, professional sound that you'd never expect from The Casualties. It also seems that their new lineup is able to play a lot faster

than before, which adds a lot of intense energy and passion to the record.

The fast, driving bass line in "Casualties Army" gets you pumped up immediately, and the rest of the album doesn't let you down. I was surprised, even impressed with some of the solo's on the CD, and even more so with the harmony in the beginning of "Unknown Soldier." The new improvements with the musicianship, coupled with the frequent chants and sing-alongs, just make you want to move. I'll even admit to being prompted to a one-man circle pit the first few times I listened to it. This CD is also much better than their last release, "Diehards," and although there is a certain sound I love about the old Casualties records, most of the changes on this one are for the better, and still hold true to the band's original sound.

I'm not big on album introductions, but "Casualties Army," with it's military marching, and blaring sirens, sends a clear message about the rest of the CD. The Casualties seem to have shed their identity as being nothing more than self-proclaimed "drunk punx", to take on some hotly debated political topics. This is an album that draws it's energy from the world around it, dealing with issues like the war on Iraq, urban poverty, drug abuse, the media, and America's class system. Singer, Jorge's voice has transformed from a gritty crust-punk yell, to something more like the raging bark of a pit bull. And when he screams, "Joey please come back home now" towards the end of "Unknown Soldier," you are almost moved to tears. All this from a band who a few years ago said "f*ck politicians" to punks who stood behind political issues. And while most of the songs are politically concerned, "Tragedy" mourns the death of a friend who passed too soon, and "Tomorrow Belongs To Us" is a hopeful anthem for the youth of today.

Although "For The Punx" will probably always be my favorite Casualties album, this is a great record dealing with issues that concern everyone in this country, and if you're looking for a new punk release that won't disappoint, I definitely recommend buying this CD.

- Wyatt Shibley

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