Time Again - Darker Days

Band: Time Again
Album: Darker Days
Genre: Punk
Label: Hellcat

Tracks:
1. Day Like This
2. Soon It Will Be
3. One Day or Another
4. Lines are Faded
5. Darker Days
6. Lucky
7. Montreal
8. Lookin Back
9. Movin On
10. You're Going Down
11. TV Static
12. Shell Casings
13. Streetwalker
14. Outcast

Hellcat Records has always been home to acts that stand in a "scene" of their own. From the ever-inspiring Operation Ivy, to the horror surf rock of HorrorPops, Hellcat is in a league all it's own. They have perfected the art of making "true" punk, ska, etc. music without ever joining whatever was big in the mainstream. In almost all cases, the absence from the relevant music scene has never hurt Hellcat because their artists work hard and gain truly devoted fans that stick by there sides. Continuing this trend is Time Again, the Los Angeles based punk rock group with their new album, "Darker Days," and though we know the die hards will stay by there side, does Time Again's new record have anything to bring in new listeners?

Following the same path as Operation Ivy's, "Energy," Days plays fun, fast, and catchy. From the opening track, "Day Like This," the listener is caught up in the crunchy guitar, heavy bass line, and simple drumming. The rough vocals of Daniel Dart seem like these tracks should be angst laden tales of government wrong doing, but in most cases, there seem to be mainly tales of life lessons and other things the average everyman can relate to. Songs like, "Lines Are Faded," "Darker Days," and, "TV Static," are just so rough sounding you fell like if you closed your eyes you'd find yourself in a poorly lit room with 75 sweaty punk kids screaming along and moving for the sake of releasing any pent of emotions they have. The sound of the album is meant to be a soundtrack for kids who don't have a lot in life; it is rough and raw, a far departure from most label releases you find these day. Though, with the look and sound the band [and their label] have going, it's exactly what they need to do. That is, if they want to stray from any claims that they have committed the ultimate sin: sold out.

I know there wasn't much time spent on the individual tracks here, but that's not what this album is about. Time Again has not set out to find some radio song to catapult them, but rather, they wanted to create a slew of underground anthems for kids to scream out when the band rolls through their local venue. In that respect, they have succeeded. The album is a constant barrage of simple riffs, heavy bass lines, and chant like choruses perfect for the small venue throwdown. Also, the low production quality helps keep the band sounding raw, but I wonder if this desire to "stay true" will hurt them in the long run. These days, all you need is a $10 usb chord and you can make high quality home recordings, but Time Again have opted to take the old punk tradition of a raw sound and carry it on. I fear this, coupled with the absence of any stand out tracks will hurt the band in terms of gaining new fans, but still, I got a lot of respect for anyone this determined to stay true to their fans.

GRADE: 6.5/10