Music Reviews: Idleminds - "Brand New Day EP" by Critical Mass

Idleminds are a great band from Waldorf, MD who play skate punk rock in the style of Pennywise, Bad Religion and a slew of other Cali punk bands. You can hear the influence on the bands latest release, the "Brand New Day EP." (out now on Human Remains Records). It's 4 songs and 10 and a half minutes of great music well worth checking out. And you can download it for FREE on Bandcamp. So what are you waiting for?

The EP kicks off with "Annihilation". It's a four chord monster of a tune. If late 90's/early 2000 punk is your deal, you'll dig this song. It's screams "About Time" era Pennywise with it's fierce guitar attack and harmonies. This really is another prime example of starting off an album on the right foot. All you bands who think you know how to do things, take notes. "Today" is a tune that could have been recorded in 1996, but it still sounds fresh and exciting. They just don't write em like this anymore people.

The songs are written and played with an intense passion. This band likes old school punk rock and it's evident all over this release. The album, production wise, is a little rough around the edges. But like I've said in the past, this is punk rock, not U2. You can't have power and passion with a top notch overpaid producer at the helm. But the band really work well with what they have available to them. And when you have great songs and competent players like this, that's all you really need. The music speaks volumes all by itself.

"Brand New Day" ends this release with a great opening bass riff that's so sorely missed in most punk rock tunes this generation. I'm a sucker for opening bass riffs. That's what I loved about bands like Rancid. They weren't afraid to pull out something like this and just run with it. Idleminds have the right idea and they bring it on this EP. It has the riffs, sing along harmonies and power that made punk rock exciting in the first place. Bring it back home boys. This is the boot up the ass we need right now.

4 / 5 stars.