 Chad Urmston has had a pretty busy year to say the least. Dispatch put out their first album, Circles Around The Sun, in 12 years this past August followed up with a North American tour earlier this Fall in support of the album and now Urmston's other band, State Radio, has their 4th album out under the title Rabbit Inn Rebellion and it's simply amazing. Definitely possessing a harder punk edge than past albums but at the same time still keeping that rebellious political angst, Rabbit Inn Rebellion can light a fire in your soul and put you in a euphoric state right after you press play. The sheer intensity of State Radio's new album does justice to their live performances, cranking it up to 11 and being as emphatic as a stick of dynamite on top of a canister of gasoline. Crossing over many political and social issues that people worldwide face every day with Urmston on his guitar (which is sometimes made out of an oil can), Chuck Fay on bass and Mike "Mad Dog" Najarian on drums, this power trio from Sherborn, MA is like a rabid dog in a cage through their dynamic sounds and powerful lyrics. Some of the best music that can be considered punk with the ideals they express are more than just simple chords and melodies, and when these 3 guys come together they go beyond whatever the status quo holds. If revolution ever needed a voice, consider State Radio to be the unofficial spokesmen. - Rob Duguay | Now here's the hard part. Deciding my favorite tracks from any great album is always a heavy task, but when it's by a band I've always adored it makes it just that much more difficult. Anyways as I always say, here goes something: "Big Man" should be considered to be a rhythmic examination of how the commercialized media promotes the often criticized and flawed American political system, also the chorus is guaranteed to make you start bopping your head to the beat. "State of Georgia" is about the controversial execution of Troy Davis for murder of a police officer nearly an exact year ago despite a lack of evidence and false witnesses, a spine-tingling killer solo by Urmston highlights the morbid track. "Sugarbeet Wine" starts off kind of trippy and mellow the guitar comes in and blows you away, an infectious song to say the least. "Desert Queen" is one of the hardest tracks in State Radio's entire catalog, starting off with a dog barking and bringing the groove to another level with Urmston's badass guitar skills. Do yourself a favor and don't just read this award-winning blog without doing something about it, get yourself a copy of Rabbit Inn Rebellion and enjoy. State Radio will be going on a tour of North America starting next week on October 23rd at Cat's Cradle in Carrboro, NC and resuming the expedition at The House of Blues in Boston on December 15th. Other than The House of Blues show, there will be plenty of opportunities for New England live music addicts to catch State Radio. Back to back shows in Northhampton, MA at The Iron Horse on October 26th and at The Calvin Theater the following night, November 1st at my old stompin' grounds at Toad's Place in New Haven, CT, November 2nd at Lupo's Heartbreak Hotel in 990WBOB's hometown of Providence, RI and The Sinclair in Boston on December 15th. You shouldn't go to just one of these shows, you should go to all of them. Until then, pick up a copy of Rabbit Inn Rebellion. It's a treasure awaiting to be discovered by your ears. |
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