Only Crime

Virulence

Fat Wreck/FAB

Shehzaad Jiwani (CHARTattack)

02/06/2007 2:17pm

A punk rock all-star band featuring ex-members of heavyweights Black Flag, Converge and Good Riddance have no right being as catchy as this. Despite their pedigree, Only Crime play a brand of pop-punk more in line with The Movielife's post-hardcore style than their younger contemporaries' watered-down sound. The tough exterior comes from Bane guitarist Aaron Dalbec's savage riffs. These hard-hitting barbs immediately go for the throat, but the surprise attack comes from Russ Rankin's vocals. He could easily play the raspy-punk-guy card and growl his way through the album. Instead, he inserts a mean hook into every song, juxtaposing himself with the heavy guitars. Most bands of their stature phone in performances, so it's refreshing to see Only Crime treating this as they'd treat their day jobs.