Almost Killed Me

This is hard rock by people who listened to hard rock when they were like twelve, and then listened to the misfits and the pixies and husker du and black flag for like fifteen years and then were like, "hey that hard rock stuff was rad, let's go back to that. It will be refreshing in this world of crappy retro new-wave and hipster garbage." And they were right. Also, their punk leanings make for good economical song writing and no rock-guy attitude. Enter their singer, Craig Finn: A true natural poet, he recites, rambles and rants as much as sings and though a touch monotonous at first, once you get to know him and his characters and his hilarious, semi-abstract stories, well you'll fall in love. This is a band where you can really get the idea from previewing the songs. "The Swish" is probably the fan classic but I really think that every song on this record is great.

Ive had this for 2 years now and I have to agree that The Swish is probably one of the greatest rock songs ever. Boys and Girls and Seperation Sunday are arguably as good, but this album is the balls from start to finish. Great rock and roll record. "We're jammin jet skis into the jetty, with some guy who looks like Rocco Siffredi." Why am I the only one of my friends who knows who Rocco Siffredi is??

The vocals and the lyrics are make this album great

I am a long-time fan of Lifter Puller (singer Craig Finn's former band) and I find this disc to be nearly as good as some of the better lifter puller tracks. The only thing that detracts from the album's enjoyment is that the guitar gets a little 'over the top' from time to time. B+

Listening to this band makes my eyes sting and my clothes smell like Basic Cigarettes and PBR. Its proof that rock is intelligent and coffeehouses are just bars without the payoff.