The Black Halos

The Black Halos have taken their share of hits. Once Vancouver's rising dark star, Sub Pop signed them hoping to cash in on the late '90s festering pop-punk fever. Unfortunately, despite the excellent single "Some Things Never Fall," the last thing pop-punk audiences wanted was real punk, so the big cane of failure yanked this Misfits-adoring goon squad out of the spotlight. But if pain is pleasure and only the oppressed know how to party, then We Are Not Alone is St. Patty's HQ. Its enthusiasm is exponentiated because one would think the Halos have little to be enthusiastic about. They missed their big shot, their lineup has reshuffled more times than Bush's cabinet, they spend their career in a tour van, it's their fourth album on as many labels and yet they power their way through New York Dolls-inspired glam-ditties "Suck City," "Princess St. Princess" and "Madam Merlot" like they were Mott The Hoople. It's very inspiring, and almost makes up for We Are Not Alone's lack of solid hooks. Hard Core Logo's Joe Dick said some rockers need models and limousines while others are happy with hookers and taxi cabs. Hallelujah!