Album Reviews

Concept albums… yeah, that’s usually not a good sign. Do you remember Angels & Airwaves’ albums? Neither do I. But when Direct Hit! make one, it turns out it can be a good thing. On their Red Scare debut, these Milwaukee pop-punkers do a solid job and crank out an energetic album full of uplifting songs about the end of the world.

Producer and All-American guitarist Mike Kennerty gives the band a slightly more polished sound but keeps most of the grit intact. The result are poppy songs like “Home To You” and “White Robe” but these guys will just as well thrash out like in “We’re Fucked”. The one thing the songs have in common are great melodies and lyrics that follow different characters who are all facing certain death.

If there’s one thing to remember after having listened to this album, it’s that you might as well have some fun before the apocalypse rolls around. And why not do that while listening to “Brainless God”!