The Carbonas – Self Titled (Goner Records, 2007)
There’s no reason to dissect this – there are no ulterior motives. And I would guess that if I did, the dudes in the band would think that I was some sort of ass (which I am). However, this obviously does fall into the Ramonsey category of punk. The Carbonas are what one should expect from a Goner Records band: tight (and simple) songs with hooks. Both these qualities are on display in “Journey to the End” which includes the couplet “I hear what you’re saying/You’re talking ‘bout me”. Injected with a bit of Southern-drawl, the line leaves little wanting, even if the bridge is rote punk. I do think that there’s some harmonizing on “Didn’t Tell You a Lie”, which is probably a lie about a lie, but whose keeping track. A point to be made though is that if one started this disc in the middle, the listener might not readily realize that something had been missed. Each song is roughly the same tempo and sports the same structure – that’s not a criticism, that’s a description. The one criticism (in addition to the kinda bitchy one about why there need to be five dudes to play this) put upon this quintet is that this “album” is about 20 minutes long. Maybe that’s all they could muster, but since it flies by so quickly, I suppose that’s a good sign.
Tracklisting:
01 – Phone Booth
02 – Journey To The End
03 – Didn’t Tell You A Lie
04 – Don’t Know Why
05 – I’m A Schizo
06 – Hate You
07 – Trapped in Hell
08 – Frustrate Me
09 – Assvogel
