Teenage Bottlerocket - Total

All Music Guide

Teenage Bottlerocket came to life following the dissolution of Laramie poppunks the Lillingtons. And even though there are definite similarities between the two bands (Kody Templeman for one thing fronts both), Teenage Bottlerocket manages to carve itself out a distinct identity, mostly due to the variety created by the tradeoff vocals of Kody and bassist Ray Carlisle. The latter has a rough, somewhat slurred delivery that complements Kody's higher, snider approach, and together they bring a lot of life and heart into straightforward, twominute punk songs. Total is right up at the top with the best poppunk out there nowadays overtly indebted to the Ramones, the quartet blasting through each song with an undeniable energy and selfdeprecating sense of humor that never lets up and never lets down. Whether they're singing about haplessly trying to land a date or later trying to simply lose the girl, Teenage Bottlerocket seem like those guys in high school that were just doing their own thi...ng, happy with their friends and punk seveninches, and unconcerned with anything else. They may not tread any new ground, but it hardly matters here. Besides, how can anyone hate a record that includes such charming lines as "If you're cold I'll let you wear my Ramones sweatshirt/ If you fall I'm gonna make sure that you're not hurt/ Won't you fall for me?" No really, the hooks in the song make it work splendidly. If you're still mourning the loss of the Lillingtons, there's no use crying because Teenage Bottlerocket is here to save the day. Catchy, genuinely cool, and full of plenty of Woohs, Total is some of the most fun to be had all year. - Corey Apar, All Music Guide Read more Less