"Push back with every word and every breath."

The long-awaited fifth album from punk band Against Me! is nothing if not a logical step up from their first major label record, New Wave. With new drummer George Robelo (of Hot Water Music) on board, it was almost a given that this album would be different from anything they've done before. The band's sound on the album is not only a big change, but many of the tracks on White Crosses come off sounding overproduced and lacking in passion.

One thing that seems to be missing completely from AM!'s new effort is the band's signature folk punk sound. What we get instead is a mishmash of boring guitar riffs and cookie-cutter drums -- probably the most disappointing aspect of the entire album. If you are expecting something that is musically great, you won't find it on White Crosses. This album also features the cleanest vocal delivery I've ever heard from lead singer Tom Gabel. This is neither a good nor a bad thing, and it definitely goes hand-in-hand perfectly with their new style. The lyrics, at times, are laughable, especially on "We're Breaking Up," in which Tom sings, "We used to like all the same bands. We used to have all the same friends. What do we have left in common? Just shared memories of good times long since past." Clearly, little room is left for interpretation and I would even go so far as to call it lazy songwriting. Alternately, the political issues touched upon in songs like "High Pressure Low" would probably fall on deaf ears.

The first two tracks on the album, title track "White Crosses" and first single "I Was A Teenage Anarchist," are solid songs that make for a strong opening. Unfortunately, it goes downhill from there. "Because of the Shame" tells an amazing story but something is missing in the music itself that would probably make the song good instead of just alright. The middle of the record is one huge 'What the hell?' moment, with songs that feature piano, strange background whispers and chants, and very little feeling behind the delivery. However, the band redeems themselves a little with the final three tracks, ending on a high note. "Spanish Moss" and "Rapid Decompression" are easily the catchiest (and maybe the best) songs on the album.

Overall, the songs on White Crosses don't flow well. It's as if the band wrote song titles on slips of paper, threw them into a hat, and chose at random, leaving a handful of sub-par tracks sandwiched in-between the better songs. Either way, at least half of the album is worth a listen or two; it might get old fast or it might grow on you.

Verdict: 2/5
Sounds like: Someone sucked the soul out of punk rock
Favorite tracks: "Bamboo Bones," "Rapid Decompression"

Bands You Should Be Listening To: Reuben

Reuben was a three-piece rock band from the Farnborough/Aldershot area of southern England, comprised of Jamie Lenman [lead vocals, guitarist], Jon Pearce [bassist, backing vocals], and Guy Davis [drums, backing vocals]. They first formed in 1998 as Angel. After releasing a demo, switching their original drummer with Mark Lawton, releasing an EP, and replacing Mark Lawton with Guy Davis, Angel offically changed their name to Reuben which they shortened from "Words from Reuben"

[the title of an Angel song]. To date, Reuben has released three full-length albums [Racecar is Racecar Backwards, Very Fast Very Dangerous, In Nothing We Trust] and one compilation album [We Should Have Gone To University] which collects all the band's various b-sides and rarities. Their music is a fusion of post hardcore, alternative rock, and metal with some pop sensibilities.

Musically, Reuben's songs are varied. They range from slow and melodic to heavy and upbeat, often changing tempo mid-song before changing back or to something completely different. Vocalist Jamie Lenman delivers his smart and honest lyrics through screams, shouts, whispers, and singing. The combination of their music and vocal delivery makes Reuben sound fresh and original. The content of Reuben's lyrics range from life experiences ["Long ago, I woke up early for a job I used to love. But then, one Saturday morning my boss gave me the shove. He made it clear that I was not needed anymore. He had to hire in some other guy while we were away on tour"] to feelings on the state of music today ["Please give me an album that I love straight away, that I don't have to grow into after constant play. See, I buy a lot of records and take most of them back 'cos I feel that disappointment after just one track"] to people needing to take resposibility for their own actions ["You've got to blame somebody for all your fucking mistakes, so someone else will pay for all the bad choices you make and you sho

uld take responsibility for what you do, but you just point your finger at somebody innocent"] to love ["If I could hold you down and drown you in my arms, I would. If I could freeze you now to keep you as you are, I would."].

In 2008, after releasing a split EP, the pressure of running their record label [Hideous Records, which they formed after Very Fast Very Dangerous was released and it's subsequent tour] and band along with their day jobs finally took it's toll. The band cancelled their remaining festival dates and stated that they would be going on an indefinite break with no plans to write, record, or perform as Reuben ever again.

Reuben is one of my all-time favorite bands and have been a staple of what I listen to since I first found out about them. Their break up depressed me, seeing as how they never got a chance to hit the states on a tour. If given the chance, I would probably sacrifice my left arm to see them perform live.

Anyway, here are a few songs I picked to showcase the band to you. I picked one song from each album that I feel best represents the various sides of Reuben.

Stuck In My Throat

Nobody Loves You

Three Hail Marys

New Thomas Erak Project

Thomas Erak, lead singer and guitarist of the now-dead progressive rock band The Fall of Troy, has announced via Twitter that his new band will be playing their first show next month in the Seattle, Washington area. It may not mean much if you're not from the area, but fans the world over can now rejoice in the thought that new music isn't too far away.

The Fall of Troy played their last show on April 25 and Thom seems to be moving right along, with multiple projects in mind. So what do we know about this particular project? It's a four-piece band, demos have been recorded, and not much else. A band name hasn't even been revealed, let alone an idea of what their stuff will sound like. Fingers crossed for The Fall of Troy Part II.

"Who does it better than we do?"

New Jersey's finest, The Gaslight Anthem, seem to be turning heads with the release of their third studio album. Multiple critics have even gone so far as to call it the "album of the month." I admit I was nervous when lead singer Brian Fallon spoke of a new writing approach the band would be taking this time around. It's true that American Slang boasts a slightly different sound than their previous efforts, but the final product won me over.

Rarely do I come across an album that I love upon first listen, but when it happens, it's magical. American Slang delivered the magic and then some. The album mixes beautiful storytelling with music that makes me want to shake it like I'm at a 1950s high school dance. Unlike on their previous albums (Sink or Swim and The '59 Sound), the lead guitar almost takes on a life of its own as it wails away in the background of the majority of the songs, a separate entity from the rhythm guitar, drums, and bass. It doesn't blend in to form a uniform sound throughout, but rather adds an extra dimension to each song. Brian Fallon's vocals are just as rough and soulful as ever, but at times reach such a high level of awesome that it barely sounds like the same man. His vocals especially shine on "The Diamond Church Street Choir," which proves that he's been holding back just a little.

The album opens with a bang as the powerful title track and first single, "American Slang," sets the stage for what comes next. Everything from the thumping drums to the background vocals chanting, "Give me fever! Oh, give me fever!" during the chorus fit so perfectly together to create an anthem full of raw emotion. The nine songs that follow are pure genius, featuring lyrics that are sometimes filled with pain and sometimes not, sometimes heartbreaking and sometimes uplifting. "Bring It On" even gave me chills when I first listened to it. The last track, "We Did It When We Were Young," feels a bit tacked on and out of place among the rest of the album, but still serves as an acceptable closer.

The Gaslight Anthem's songs always remind me of summertime and this album is no exception. I'm thinking it's no coincidence they released it with perfect timing to become my summer soundtrack.

Verdict: 5/5
Sounds like: Bruce Springsteen's alternative punk cousin, a warm summer night
Favorite tracks: "Bring It On," "The Queen of Lower Chelsea," "Old Haunts"