Billy Reese Peters

Almost Heaven

[4/5] Gainesville, Florida, has given us lots of great bands-Hot Water Music, Less Than Jake and Against Me! to name just a few. But there’s a new contender in town, and their name is Billy Reese Peters. In many ways, Almost Heaven epitomizes the grit and gravel of northern Florida’s long-standing punk rock tradition; rambunctious and unafraid, BRP fuse Southern twang with the indignation of Black Flag to yield a rollicking record delightfully lacking in pretense. It’s all brass tacks; especially when stacked against many of today’s carefully groomed bands claming the label of “punk.” Due at least in part to the bellowing, pointed vocal delivery of frontman Aaron Lay, these tales of passing out and psychological independence are sure to leave even the coolest parents wondering if their kids really should be listening to this kind of music; which of course, they should. For fans of awesome. (NO IDEA; noidearecords.com) Ronen Kauffman