The Loved Ones

Build & Burn

[3.5/5]

Since their 2003 formation, Philadelphia punk act the Loved Ones have been quite good at surprising audiences. Shunning their former acts’ sounds (the band started off as ex-Kid Dynamite/Paint It Black/Trial By Fire, bands who leaned heavily to the left side of the “hardcore punk” descriptor), frontman Dave Hause, drummer Mike Sneeringer and then-bassist Michael “Spider” Cotterman kicked into high-gear immediately with 2005’s self-titled EP and 2006’s Keep Your Heart, both packed with supercharged, peppy pop-punk sing-alongs. Just as the band were celebrating their flag-planting in the scene by scheduling a headlining run in early 2007, Cotterman left the band.

Replaced by Christopher Gonzalez and augmented by second guitarist Dave Walsh (both formerly of the Explosion), TLO soldiered on, but many questioned what the new lineup would create in the studio. Build & Burn sounds nothing like the Explosion and definitely stands on its own in terms of style and musicianship. Yes, the Loved Ones are still primarily a punk band, but Burn finds them exploring more rock ’n’ roll tendencies, varied song structures and honest-to-God balladry, each with varying degrees of success.

The album blasts off with the rollicking “Pretty Good Year,” but that’s nothing compared to the following track, “The Inquirer,” which is the best song Hause has ever written-it’s sort of like Foo Fighters’ “Monkey Wrench” with a little more grit. After that is “The Bridge,” a midtempo bouncer a little too reminiscent of Lit’s “My Own Worst Enemy” but with gang vocals. Odd comparison aside, the song definitely works and shows a new side of the band’s musical palette.

However, there are a handful of avoidable frustrations throughout Build & Burn. The band stuggle with how to end songs, too many either crashing to a halt or quietly petering out. “3rd Shift” features a Hammond B3 chord held throughout the song, which first works before clashing with the song’s melody later on. Plus, considering the band now have two guitarists, the lack of lead guitar in the majority of these songs is incredibly disappointing. Exempt are “Sarah’s Game,” with a lead lifted straight from Lifetime’s playbook; and the rip-roarin’ solo (actually played by the Hold Steady’s Tad Kubler) in the middle of “Louisiana.”

Speaking of “Louisiana,” this is a song no other punk band have had the guts to write. Essentially a modern-day spiritual, the song examines the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, not from a who’s-to-blame viewpoint but rather how the power of humanity can unite strangers in the face of tragedy. Don’t be surprised if it shows up on Extreme Makeover: Home Edition.

With Build & Burn, the Loved Ones take another step in cementing their legacy as an Historically Important Punk Band^TM. Time will only tell if they will succeed, but at least they’re fucking trying-what the fuck have you done? (FAT WRECK CHORDS) Scott Heisel

ROCKS LIKE

Against Me!’s New Wave

Hot Water Music’s Caution

The Hold Steady’s Boys And Girls In America

THE BREAKDOWN

RELEASE DATE: Feb. 5

WEBSITE: thelovedonesband.com

TRACKLISTING

1. Pretty Good Year

2. The Inquirer

3. The Bridge

4. Sarah’s Game

5. Brittle Heart

6. Selfish Masquerade

7. 3rd Shift

8. Louisiana

9. Dear Laura

10. I Swear