American Steel
Jagged Thoughts
Lookout
The title is from the chorus of the first cut, “Shrapnel,” whose first line is sung almost exactly to the same melody as The Clash’s “Bankrobber.” This, of course, is a good thing.
As is this record. Hooks abound, sort of like Weezer (especially check out the keys on “Lonely All of the Time” and “Maria”), but with more balls. I dare you to not sing along on the chorus to “New Religion Every Day.” There’s lots to like here, American Steel refuses to be pigeonholed, the third cut starts all dreamy with bendy guitars in the background and then cuts into the chorus like a freight train with another killer hook you won’t be able to get out of your head. Not that you’d want to.
Lookout Records, 3264 Adeline Street, Berkeley, CA 94703; http://www.lookoutrecords.com • American Steel, PO Box 213, Berkeley, CA 94701; http://amsteel.lookoutrecords.com, amsteel@looutrecords.com
