KMG has not only purchased the entire Frontline catalog (thank you!), but they've started signing some good bands. American Made is their first venture into punk rock. These guys come together with tons of energy and meld melodic pop punk with some nice rap-like vocals and loud, crisp yet distorted guitars. What stands out in this day of the "Fun Only" agenda is the straight-up lyrics about God and His love.
It's hard not to totally fall in love with this band. The pop melodies are so big, and the musicianship is just fast and tight. If you're not singing along to "That Thing I Do," then you must be dead.
With Billy Smiley's production, I get the impression at times that the goal was to make the sound slightly safe. This is my only criticism. These guys have a cool sound, and it's ready for the radio. More importantly, it sounds ready for a live audience.
Other coverage for this album
The Phantom Tollbooth 1999Reviewed by Josh SpencerHmmm, what do we have here? A lot of pop punk, some rapping, some MxPx-style singing, some big rock riffs. High-adrenaline, strong songs. Good mid-range sonics and mixing provide powerful drums, resonant bass, and meaty guitar tones. Straight punk songs like "American Made" almost hold their own against any Slick Shoes or Dogwood track, while smooth '90s party rock beats like "Kick It" would fit…
