Shot Baker

Take Control

[3.5/5]

Shot Baker may be less than five years old, but the Chicago band play with what seems like a decade of development and dedication to melodic punk rock. Take Control’s 11 tracks provide a thrilling ride through earnest, straight-ahead, Midwestern punk by way of Avail, Dillinger Four and the Chicago scene. Tony Kovacs offers a mixture of rough vocals and overdubbed harmonies to provide enough sing-along choruses to fuel a roadtrip to Gainesville, Florida’s the Fest. Unfortunately, the one thing missing is backing vocals from the rest of the band, something more prevalent on past releases. However, sometimes music is best when left uncomplicated, a work ethic championed by Shot Baker. While this kind of punk is always better experienced live than on stereo, “All Paths Lead Nowhere” and “Sick Of Promises” deserve to be taken home. (RIOT FEST) Ben Conoley