KRUM BUMS – Same Old Story

Last spring, I downloaded a song (I’m Canadian, it’s legal!) by the Krum Bums called “SOS” and the song instantly became one of my favorites. But I was confused when I saw that this song wasn’t on any of the Krum Bums’ previous albums, which made me question if the song was simply my imagination gone mad. Turns out, it was part of an EP slated to be released in the summer of 2009, so my guess is that the song was a pre-production track leaked to keep fans interested.

I waited impatiently for the release. I believe it was destiny when Jackson Ellis asked me to review Same Old Story because he thought “it would be up your alley.” Right the fuck on, dude! This record is amazing, one of the best I’ve ever listened to! This Texan band doesn’t play clichéd three-chord punk rock songs. On the contrary, they expand as much as possible, without betraying their punk roots.

The first track “Split Tongue” starts off with some acoustic guitar and Van Halen-esque guitar solos, and then throws the listener into a mental moshpit with heavier guitars and screaming vocals. The title track, “SOS,” is much better than the version I downloaded in terms of sound quality and energy. The vocals and music of all six tracks are perfect, delivered with so much range, power, and pure awesomeness that you’re gonna have to pinch yourself to make sure you’re not dreaming.

My only complaint is that there aren’t enough tracks, so it’s like an orgasm cut off halfway. You might have heard about Krum Bums as The Casualties’ opening act, but I won’t be surprised if the tables turn, because these talented youngsters are heading to the top of the punk rock mountain.

(TKO Records, 8941 Atlanta Avenue #505, Huntington Beach, CA 92646)