2008 Woodie Awards
Distillers prove punk-rock leadership
Laura Harber, Michigan Daily (U. Michigan)
- Page 1 of 1
Any punk revival band worth their salt knows, respects and, to some extent, imitates their predecessors. Unlike other, more disposable forms of music, quality punk rock looks and sounds similar not out of a lack of creativity, but because of an intentional effort by its practitioners to maintain the purity of the scene.
If punk rock is a social movement, The Distillers are its new leader. Their second release, Sing Sing Death House, is not for the faint of heart.
Led by impossibly perfect singer/guitarist Brody Armstrong - picture Courtney Love with a mohawk and lip piercings - The Distillers effortlessly balance irreverent fun with a social conscience, creating traditional, yet sophisticated, punk rock that explores themes of salvation, rebellion, desperation, drugs and even women's lib.
As if The Distillers punk credentials needed to be more complete, Armstrong just so happens to be married to Tim Armstrong of Rancid. If Sing Sing Death House is any indication, things are clearly rocking at chez Armstrong.
Every song on Sing Sing Death House is played with an urgency most bands fail to achieve on an entire record. In her husky, gravel howl, Armstrong takes us on a punk odyssey tour of her life, shaming us for ever doubting the salvation to be found in music.
Even in the record's darkest moments, "Sick of it All," "Hate Me" and "Desperate," a sense of hope is conveyed through the fact that Armstrong has lived to sing about it.
Though the majority of Sing Sing Death House is decisively not ready for prime time, the most accessible tracks on the record, "The Young Crazed Feeling" and "City of Angels," are undeniably catchy. With their sing-along choruses and irresistible hooks, these songs are perfectly crafted pop/rock gems.
As "The Young Crazed Feeling" reaches its climax, Armstrong, singing for her life, chants, "I've got freedom and my youth!" It is impossible to not be swept up in the moment. Later, as it hits Armstrong that "I've got everything that I need," it hits you too that liberation may be just that simple.
Viewing Comments 1 - 7 of 7
anonymous890
anonymous890
posted 11/22/02 @ 3:45 PM MST
Just to tell you,you put the young and crazy feeling and it's the young and crazy peeling.
Lindsay Michael
anonymous890
anonymous890
posted 1/12/03 @ 1:58 AM MST
lol, yeah pal, it's the young crazed PEELING. wow, that made me laugh
Alyssa
oklahoma
distillers_hateme@lycos.com
anonymous890
anonymous890
posted 1/17/03 @ 9:40 PM MST
...people are so clue less.....how could you get such an amazing songs name wrong...The Young Crazed FEELINGS?!?!? ....good job dude....wow...your a smart one. (Continued…)
anonymous890
anonymous890
posted 1/28/03 @ 1:16 PM MST
It seems to me that this reviewer didn't even pass through the the booklet inside SSDH. First the "Young Crazed Feeling" fiasco, then a lyric was botched which is actually "I've got freedom in my youth". (Continued…)
anonymous890
anonymous890
posted 2/11/03 @ 7:42 PM MST
nevermind the fact that this is an EXCELLENT review.
just wanna set a couple of things straight Brody does ACTUALLY say "i've got freedom AND my youth". (Continued…)
anonymous890
anonymous890
posted 3/25/03 @ 8:10 PM MST
I don't know about you all, but i have thought the distillers were the shit for years! I love Rancid, Brody, and punk rock. Even though Brody is married to the man of my dreams, let me know what's up! Love, mandi
mandi, cosmetology student
lake orion, MI
mandi858@msn. (Continued…)
anonymous890
anonymous890
posted 7/14/03 @ 5:18 PM MST
..im simply shocked and appualed. i mean i am a bit late by a few months and hopefully by this time laura harber has purchased the cd she speaks to shamlessly of. (Continued…)
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