THE BRONX - THE BRONX

By now, most people have an idea of what to expect from the Bronx. Both previous records (also self-titled) threw up little in the way of surprises, rarely straying from the riff-based formula they could nail in their sleep. As groovy as they were dirty, they were powerhouse modern rock 'n roll records that spat in the face of pretension and instead focused solely on writing fucking great tunes to drink, fight and dance to.
So, it's no surprise to say that album number three is essentially a case of business as usual for the LA five-piece (now with added guitar). Opener 'Knifeman' is a mid-paced rocker with a Rocket from the Crypt-style riff, and the likes of 'Enemy Mind' and 'Six Days a Week' are perfect slices of danceable, gritty punk rock. Every now and then, the pace drops for one of the less raucous offerings ('Inveigh', 'Past Lives', 'Pleasure Seekers'), but rarely does this feel anything less than brilliant.

One thing you won't find one this album is the customary slow song. Album number one had the excellent 'Strobe Life' tacked onto the end, and number two had both 'White Guilt' and 'Dirty Leaves'. This one is much more in line with the first in terms of pace and attitude; every now and then someone hits a bum note or plays slightly off key, but none of that really matters. The Bronx are a band seemingly unafraid of fucking up, and although this isn't a perfect record by any stretch of the imagination, it's somehow got more heart and soul than almost anything you'll find on daytime radio. Here's to imperfection.

By Rob Dand

Rating: 8/10
Format: Album
Release Date: Out Now
Label: Wichita / White Drugs

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE ON THIS ARTIST