The Subject

Item: Christina's New Hope
Author: Phil Nichols

Christina's New Hope

(2004)

Reviewed by Phil Nichols

Bandcamp

Label Accidental SirensThe Phantom Tollbooth2004

punk reggae ska punk

Once upon a time, reggae-infused punk bands were a dime-a-dozen. Out of the overnight mainstream success of ska music came a slew of groups hopping on the bandwagon and milking the latest trend for all it was worth. As quickly as it came, the genre of ska faded out of popularity and the once flourishing reggae-punk scene was forgotten. From the ashes of this dead trend comes The Subject, whose sound encompasses aspects of many of the punk bands that gained popularity throughout the age of ska. They combine Rancid's aggressive punk rock riffs, the Bob Marley-esque breakdowns of the Dingees, and even occasionally hark back to reggae-punk torchbearers, the Clash. The Subject definitely seem to be in touch with their roots, but what does their Accidental Sirens debut have to offer that will set them apart from their various influences? The answer is regrettably, not much.

Christina's New Hope is essentially a six song EP, packed full of raw punk rock energy and anthems that most assuredly get the crowd jumping at live shows. The album kicks off with "Maximum Security Holds Minimal Force," a song reminiscent of early Rancid material. An onslaught of shouted vocals here, a reggae riff there, it is a formula that is all too familiar, and is used over and over again throughout the album. "Faker" is one of the few tracks that does not follow the same pattern. The song strays from the three chord punk songs and clean upstroke ska riffs and adds in elements of lead guitar lines over top of the gang vocals and bouncing bass lines. While diversity in the music is sometimes lacking, the lyrics prove to be very well written. Chants of "we live to fight, we die to live, and see another day" and similar battle cries stay with you long after you finish listening to this disc. Every song gets its point across without resorting to elementary rhyme schemes or the juvenile word choices that are far too prevalent with newer bands today.

Overall, Christina's New Hope is not bad, especially for an unknown band's debut. The problem with the album is that the lack of diversity and originality makes this release get boring after a few listens. The Subject definitely has the ability and the potential to succeed, but if they plan on attracting more fans they will have to forge a sound that is their own, not one that is borrowed from defunct bands of a dead genre. If you are a fan of the Clash, the Dingees, or ...And Out Come the Wolves-era Rancid you will probably enjoy Christina's New Hope, but after awhile you will most likely throw this on the pile of other albums you got tired of and go out searching for something a little more substantial.

3 tocks