IN REVIEW: Teenage Time Killers - "Greatest Hits Vol. 1"

The growing trend of supergroup releases continues with Teenage Time Killers, the brainchild of Mick Murphy and Reed Mullin (members of Birds of Satan and Corrosion of Conformity, respectively). Having been recorded at Dave Grohl's studio, it's not surprising that he would lend a hand musically but, while he does technically appear on over half of the twenty tracks, it's only in the capacity of bass player. While it would have been nice to hear him belt out a vocal or give one of his world-class drum performances, there are plenty of other guests to distract us: Neil Fallon (Clutch), Randy Blythe (Lamb of God), Jello Biafra (Dead Kennedys), Matt Skiba (Alkaline Trio), Corey Taylor (Slipknot/Stone Sour), Mike IX Williams (Eyehategod), Tommy Victor (Prong), Lee Ving (Fear) and many others get turns at the mic over the course of the album. Then, there's the guests playing instruments, including Nick Oliveri (formerly of Kyuss and Queens of the Stone Age), Pat Smear (The Germs/Foo Fighters), Greg Anderson (co-founder of Southern Lord Records) and Brian Baker (Minor Threat).

The revolving door approach makes for an inevitably inconsistent listen, given the feeling of a punk compilation rather than a proper record; that said, the relatively quick runtime (its twenty songs zip by in just over 42 minutes, with nary a track reaching the three minute mark) lessens the fatigue that would have undoubtedly accompanied a release with longer songs. Plus, with a cheeky title like Greatest Hits Vol. 1, it's not like they don't know what they're presenting. Fun, fast and loose with a handful of great performances, Greatest Hits Vol. 1 isn't so much a supergroup effort as it is a love letter to punk and hardcore; as such, it's sincere and respectful, and I certainly can't fault it for its spirit.

July 31, 2015 • Rise Records

Highlights Crowned By the Light of the Sun • Hung Out to Dry • Egobomb

Comments

Year in Rock 2025

Alright, I've got some explaining to do. By now anyone who's visited this blog is well aware of how infrequently I've used this space in recent years; aside from the occasional fertile year of content, I really haven't posted all that often over the last five years or so. There are many reasons for this, which have already been outlined in previous apology posts; but, essentially, it boils down to my own laziness and the cold reality that blogs are, like Refused (again), fucking dead. So, I wouldn't hold my breath for a triumphant return to reviews, or even semi-regular posts, but: a) I feel like Year in Rock posts have always belonged here and, even though I've experimented with different methods of presentation recently and been satisfied, the "blink and you missed it" unveiling via Facebook stories this year was perhaps ultimately a disservice to the records I lauded. After all, cramming the list into short videos isn't too far off from ju...

Year in Rock 2023: Album of the Year #10-1

Now we're getting somewhere; the top ten, where there are no duds or mids, only bangers. Also, no more teasing it out; let's wrap this up! What I've learned this year from my ten faves this year is that it is indeed still possible for a dude approaching his fifties to more or less stay up to date on the new school. Of course, there are some listed here that got a boost from playing tribute to the old school, but there is an undercurrent happening in rock that points to the future. But, I'm getting ahead of myself; here come the champs. 10 MILITARIE GUN Life Under the Gun June 23, 2023 • Loma Vista Highlights Very High Will Logic Never Fucked Up Once Rising from the ranks of the still-potent L.A. hardcore scene, the debut record from Militarie Gun (following a trio of EPs) bears a dash of polish that's expected with backing from a larger label; the tension and energy remain, though, resulting in one of the catchiest hardcore albums I can think of in recent years. 9 ...

Year in Rock 2023: Album of the Year #15-11

Alright, enough messing around. Let's cozy on up to the top 10. 15 THE GASLIGHT ANTHEM History Books October 27, 2023 • Rich Mahogany/Thirty Tigers Highlights History Books Autumn Michigan, 1975 It's not easy for a band to come back from nearly a decade away and simply pick up where they left off; it makes sense, then, that The Gaslight Anthem don't really try. Instead, their sixth album takes a more measured approach that's somewhat akin to a juiced up version of Brian Fallon's solo records. I personally would have preferred a little more fire in the collective belly, but otherwise everything there is to love about this band is fully intact. 14 ROYAL THUNDER Rebuilding the Mountain June 16, 2023 • Spinefarm Highlights The Knife Now Here - No Where Fade Coming a long six years after the enthralling, expansive WICK , Royal Thunder reemerges down one member with a somewhat stripped down sound in turn. Having said this, singer/bassist Mlny Parsons has long been the s...

SOUND BITES

Search This Blog