The Johnstones - Word Is Bond

 

1. No Time For The Moment

2. L.A.D.I.E.S.

3. I Know What My Name Is

4. Livin' In The Gutter

5. Sunny Days

6. What Are You Lookin' At?

7. She Said It Was Coo...

8. Bang Bang

9. Dun' Wan Lo

10. Action

11. G7C7

12. Gettin' Paid

13. No Song Here.. Must Be A Mistake??

14. L.A.D.I.E.S. (Reeeeaallly Baddass X Rated Version)

15. Gone For A Long Time

 

The Johnstones have released their third album, and first full length, named "Word Is Bond". This album shows the band in a fun ska way, but with teenage humor. They have built this album as a ska band with toilet humor. These guys are similar to that of bands like The Aquabats, The Planet Smashers, or even a band like Reel Big Fish, so if you like any of those bands, you could really like this album. They have done an alright job here.

When looking at the recording quality on this album, the album has been recorded to a very nice level. This is pretty up there for a jokester, fun ska band, and really gives the songs legitimacy. The instrumentation on this album is shown off pretty well here. Now with Ska music, it isn't quite about the ability, its more how fast and groovy you can make the song. The band does show that they can certainly play, and the brass section really shows what they can do. This isn't going to blow you away, but the band can certainly play good solid ska. 

Now onto the vocals and lyrics, the vocals on this album aren't that great. Their duel singers can sing, but it is more about being awkward and silly with the style. This does work for the band though, and thats what matters most. With the lyrics, for the most part they are very silly, childish and bathroom humour type of lyrics.  Song about getting paid, ladies, sex etc. These are fun songs, but it isn't really the type of music that holds up and keeps you having a long career. They are pretty good songs though.

If you are looking for a single to this album, give the song "Gone For A Long Time" your attention as it shows off the alum the best and the bands sound. 

The Johnstones have made their second album that really shows off their style and sound. This gives them something to really push forward and able to play more longer shows. For the genre that ska is, this works and is attracting people to their music. We like it. Listen to this album yourself to get your own opinion of it. They have since called it quits (R.I.P.)

Genre: Ska/Punk/Rock

Release Date: 2006

Location: Ajax, Ontario

Label: Stomp Records 

Closet Monster - A Fight For What Is Right

1. Uniqualist Me
2. I Have No Mouth But I Must Scream
3. Counter Clockwise
4. Friday Night
5. Higher Education
6. One Capitalist Always Kills Many (Fat Cats)
7. Prison Of Your Mind
8. Nausea
9. One Word
10. Heart Strings
11. Starving
12. To Serve And Protect
13. Suburbia
14. Common Devotion

Closet Monster have released their third album titled "A Fight For What Is Right." This album is straight up what you think of when you think of a real punk band. They have that fast traditional punk feel to them and it works. If you are looking for similar bands, they would be NOFX or a MXPX so if you are into those bands, you could really like this album. They have done an alright job on this album. When looking at the recording quality of this album, the album has been recorded to a fairly decent standard for a late 90's recording. As far as the instrumentation on the album, it is pretty much what you would expect from a typical punk band, nothing flashing but just straight playing. Now onto the vocals and lyrics, the vocals are not bad, you can hear what the singer is saying and it works well with the style the band is going for. Not bad here. With the lyrics, they seem to have a very angsty, against the establishment and just doing whatever you want to kind of way to them. This band really wants to be against anything, not growing up and find your own thing. This is something that a lot of people into this genre are into so it works. If you are looking for a single to this album, there isn't one, so just pick a song and give it a listen to get the feel of this album. Closet Monster have made an album that really fits the punk rock style and just what people want to hear. Hopefully with a little better recording and a little more style to make you know off the bat it's Closet Monster, this could be big. Overall it is not bad. Listen to this album to decide for yourself what you think of it. They have since called it quits (R.I.P.)

Genre: Punk/Hardcore Punk/Rock

Release Date: 1999

Location: Ajax, Ontario

Label: None

Longshot - Never See The Sun

1. Connecticut
2. M.O.D.O.K.
3. Walking Distance
4. That Sinking Feeling
5. The Vision
6. Never See The Sun
7. Ambidexter

Longshot have released their second album titled "Never See The Sun." On this album, the band expands on the sound and style that the band created with the previous album. You will still get the shrieking vocals that seem to be a signature thing for this band and make you tell them apart from a crowded genre. The band has done a pretty decent job on the album. 

When looking at the recording quality of this album, the album has been recorded fairly well and it has a nice clear, well structured sound to it. These guys seem to so be able to play their instruments on it as well. Now onto the lyrics and the vocals, the lyrics are alright and they seem to have that hardcore feel to them. these vocals however are hard to get what the singer is saying unless you really listen close to him, but the background vocals are not bad and they are clear. 

If you are looking for a song to listen to, give the song "Connecticut" your attention, as this one is the best song on the album and it gives you the best idea of the album as a whole. 

Longshot have made a very distinct album that you can really tell them apart. It has a real hardcore feel to it and makes a step up from their previous album. This is nice to see, as they now have an expanded library for shows, so now all that is left is to get out there. Great job on this hardcore album. Listen to this album to decide for yourself what you think of it. They have since called it quits (R.I.P.)

Genre: Hardcore/Punk/Rock

Release Date: April 16th, 2012

Location: Ajax, Ontario

Label: None

Not By Choice - Secondhand Opinions

1.Out Of Reach (Too Far Gone)
2. Home
3. Call Out
4. Days Go By
5. So Close
6. Tongue Tied
7. Save Yourself
8. Never Say Goodbye
9. Here With Me
10. Wake Up
11. Echoes
12. Things Will Never Be The Same

Not By Choice have released their sophomore album titled "Secondhand Opinions." This album follows along the same path, with the same sound as the last one for the most part. The difference you notice between the two is that this one just doesn't seem to have the same catchiness and stand out songs like the last one. When looking at the recording quality of this album, the album has been recorded fairly decently, while the instrumentation seems to be pretty tight in the playing. Now onto the vocals and the lyrics, the vocals have been done pretty well for a pop punk album but the lyrics seem to be hit and miss depending on the song. If you are looking for a single for this album, give the song "Days Go By" your attention as this is the best song on the album and it seems to stand out above the rest of them. Not By Choice have done a good job on this album, it just doesn't seem to hit like the last album did unfortunately. We do however give the band an A for effort here, but there is just something that doesn't quite sell it here. Hopefully on the next album, they can break this. Listen to this album to decide for yourself what you think of it. They have since called it quits (R.I.P.)

Genre: Pop Punk/Punk/Rock

Release Date: October 26th, 2004

Location: Ajax, Ontario

Label:  Linus Entertainment

Longshot - The Distant

1. The Distant
2. The Everlasting
3. Tough Luck
4. Monolith

Ajax's Ontario band Longshot have released their debut album entitled "The Distant". The album is a very hardcore punk album and it has a pretty different vocal style that is pretty enjoyable because it sets them apart from all the other typical bands out there. We'd say its like a Expire sort of band. When looking at the recording quality of the album, is actually pretty good for a first album. The instrumentation on this album is also pretty good as the band can play pretty well and the singer can really hit it fast. Now looking at the lyrics, the band has done well to get meaningful lyrics out and portray their message in the songs. If you are looking for a single, give the song "Monolith" your attention as this song shows what the album is like the best and features guest vocals from Brendan Murphy from Counterparts. Longshot have done a pretty good job here with this album, hopefully they just keep plugging away and play more shows to get their name out. Listen to this album to decide for yourself what you think of it and hope you enjoy. They have since called it quits (R.I.P.)

Genre: Hardcore/Punk/Rock

Release Date: April 16th, 2011

Location: Ajax, Ontario

Label: None

Brown Brigade - Into The Mouth Of Badd(d)ness

1. E2 The F (Homeboy)
2. Purebread
3. Blame The Wizards
4. Aggravation Plantation
5. Blues Warrior
6. Fear Of A Brown Planet
7. Hallowed Be Thy Name
8. Down With Brown
9. WD-So
10. In The Mouth Of Badd(d)ness
11. Make Way Fe De Tout! Dem
12. Last Writes (Thusfarvolume1)
13. Relaxation Plantation (Superhopperfreakwalizer)

Brown Brigade's debut album is an odd one to listen to, it has the feeling of a regular rock band but then the vocals are sung as he is trying to do it 80's metal style. Not sure here if it is the singing or the recording of the album, but something seems not to work here. Another thing is that some of these songs are just odd in itself. The recording of this album feel like it could of been a little better, but when you listen to the vocals, you get the feel that its more just the vocals were not recorded the best. Looking at the music, it seems to be alright and its better than the average band, so that helps it. If you are looking for a song to listen to, give the song "Aggravation Plantation" your attention as its the single for the album and probably the strongest one as well. We applaud Brownsound for going off and trying something different, but maybe when he stops trying to combine too many elements that just don't seem to meld, it will sound a lot better. Strip it down and just play. We looking forward to hearing whats next. They have since called it quits (R.I.P.)

Genre: Rock/Metal/Reggae

Release Date: August 14th, 2007

Location: Ajax, Ontario

Website: http://www.brown-brigade.com

Label: Aquarius Records

Not By Choice - Maybe One Day

1. Maybe One Day

2. Standing All Alone

3. Now That You Are Leaving

4. Wish Upon A Star

5. Make My Day

6. This Is The End

7. Intoxicated

8. Miss You

9. The Way It Used To Be

10. Same As You

11. This Old Place

Not By Choice, a band that seemed to come out of nowhere and they are following the path of Sum 41 in more then just their hometown. The debut album "Maybe One Day" from the Ajax rockers hit hard and fast but poppy so you can sing right along with each song.This album has some great songs, but it feel like for most of the album they are just fillers and then they have 2 or 3 songs that just stand way out here. The recording is great and so is the bands playing, but that is to be expected with a band that gets signed like this. A song to listen to here would be the hit single "Standing All Alone" as this song just has lyrics you can sing along to but also has a catchiness to it that makes you want to press repeat. These guys have a bright future ahead of them with this album, look out for more and keep an eye on this band. Listen to this album. They have since called it quits (R.I.P.)

Genre: Pop Punk/Punk/Rock

Release Date: September 3rd, 2002

Location: Ajax, Ontario

Label:  Linus Entertainment

Not By Choice - Not By Choice

1. Make My Day

2. Humble

3. This Old Place

4. Following The Blind

5. The Way It Used To Be

6. Secret Song

Not By Choice's self titled debut album really shows this band and the vision they wanted to go from the very beginning with this. The album is pretty good and it has that typical pop punk that you expect from 2000's bands. You need to listen to this if you haven't, as not many copies of this existed, only about 3,500. When looking at the recording Quality of this album, it needs just the tiniest bit of work, but for a demo, this is pretty solid, the instrumentation on this album is pretty good as well. Now onto the vocals and the lyrics, the vocals stand out here as being very pop punk, and the lyrics make this up a level as they are quite good also. If you are looking for a single for this album, being a demo, it doesn't have one, so just pick a song and listen to it to get the feel of the album. Not By Choice have a bright future with this album and we can't wait to see what else comes out of this band. You need to listen to this album, if only for nostalgia sake. Listen to this album to decide for yourself what you think of it. They have since called it quits (R.I.P.)

Genre: Pop Punk/Punk/Rock

Release Date: 2000

Location: Ajax, Ontario

Label: None

Brown Brigade - Appetizer For Destruction

1. E2DMFNF

2. Blues Warrior

3. Last Writes

Brown Brigade have released their debut album to show the world what they have come up with. This album is three songs all with their own style. The first song is more of a faster metal type of song, while the second is more of a blues type and the third is more a regular metal song. These three songs need work, as the quality is not quite their on the recordings, but the rest seems to be decent. When listening to the three songs here, you get the feeling that they didn't really know what direction they wanted to go in. So as the title says, they are giving you an appetizer to figure out where they want to go with the songs. The best song of the three is "Last Writes" it is a more regular metal song and feels like it will have the best results with fans. Give this band a listen, even if its just to hear what the from Sum 41 guitarist Brownsound is up to. They have since called it quits (R.I.P.)

Genre: Rock/Metal/Reggae

Release Date: October 2006

Location: Ajax, Ontario

Website: http://www.brown-brigade.com

Label: Aquarius Records

48 Caliber - One EP To Rule Them All

1. 3:45

2. Automatic Love 

3. So Far Away

48 Caliber's fourth EP is an album that shows the band trying to be more of a mainstream rock band. The three songs on here a decent, and could help them grown into something bigger, but needless to say, the girls will like. They have good songs, good recording, and good music, all they need now is time to grow their fan base.

Genre: Rock/Pop - Punk/Pop

Release Date : 2011

Location: Ajax, Ontario

Label: None

The Johnstones Vs. Keepin' 6

 

(The Johnstones)

(Keepin' 6)

1. Action

2. G7C7

3. Gettin Paid

4. Handle It

5. Raise Your Glass

6. Come Along

The Johnstones and Keepin' 6 have decided to released a split EP together. This album contains three songs from each of the bands. The first three tracks are Keepin' 6 and the  last three are The Johnstones. This album really hits the ska punk scene pretty squarely. These guys go right for the heart of ska and skanking. This album has a similar sound to bands such as The Planet Smashers, Reel Big Fish or even Mustard Plug, so if you like those bands, you could really like both of these guys. They have done a good job here. 

When looking at the recording quality of this album, the album has been recorded to a middle of the road quality. These songs don't feel super clean and overproduced. They kep some of that raw, fast paced, dirty punk rock feel to them, as least with the Keepin' 6 songs. The Johnstones songs are not quite as raw, but still have the same energy as Keepin' 6 just with the added horns. The instrumentation on this album is pretty average here. How hard is it to just play your songs faster? But they do a good job, and the music is fun. These guys in both bands can play, and it's not always about the craziest riffs or chords, so it's nice to listen to this sometimes.

Now onto the vocals and lyrics, Keepin' 6 vocals are harsh and raspy, while still being understandable. His vocals feel passionate and helps it to feel more authentic. He is still pretty clear, so you can get just what he is singing about. With The Johnstones, their vocals are loud, fast and goofy. This makes their music have a more fun approach to it. In some peoples eyes, his make take away from the true music lovers, but we find it fun to listen to, like ska should be. These guys are really nice and clear, so it helps you get their silly lyrics, and stupid jokes within the music. On that note, switching to lyrics, Keepin' 6 are more on the political, mean something side with their lyrics. They are trying to get you to get and feel their message. 

If you are looking for a single to this album, there isn't one, so just pick a song from either band, and you will get an idea of what both of them are about.

Keepin' 6 and The Johnstones have done a split album that seems to work well together. These bands are pretty new and don't have too much of a catalog so far, so any music helps add to this. Being that both bands are friends, this helps get each others fans into the other band. They have done a pretty alright job here. Listen to this album to decide for yourself what you think about it. They have since both called it quits (R.I.P.)

Genre: Ska/Punk/Rock

Release Date: 2005
Location: Ajax/Mississauga, Ontario

Website: http://www.thejohnstonessuck.com/ , http://www.keepin6.com/
Label: None