Fake Names – Expendables
7/10
An unwritten rule is to keep a punk album shorter than 30 minutes. High intensity and attitude. Fake Names attitude is a little bit light. The music is great and from the label of punk rock “supergroup” with members from Bad Religion, Refused & Fugazi is more leaning towards Bad Religion.
The music is more accessible, and more pop influenced than for example classic angry Refused music. I for one is quite happy with that. Dennis Lyxzén has taken a bit of his angry attitude and delivered that in the lyrics. But his voice is a lot less angry in Fake Names. That is also positive and appreciated.
After listening to the album a few times, I tried to figure out some references that goes beyond the band members other bands if you like. And in a song like “Go” you find a lot of Talking Heads sound and similarities, just like the song “Don´t Blame Yourself”. In all honesty, you get a lot of new romantic sounding songs, early Duran Duran shines through in a song like “Can´t Take It”. But you also have some Dead Kennedys trying to get through.
Otherwise, the album keeps to a quite pleasant tempo and high quality regarding the songs in general. Not that it should come as a surprise when you see the experience of the band members. It is nice to see that they do not try to do something that is completely out there. It is a natural development from the first album. Personally, I loved that album. I like this second release, but I have to say I am not as fond if this one. It is more run of the mill transport all the way.
Fortunately, the last track is the best one. “Too Little Too Late” Has quite dark lyrics but combined with a classic Bad Religion smelling build up and structure of the song means that you have a nice combination that is appealing.
Hopefully Fake Names continue to record music and release more albums in the future. All in all, you cannot complain about much other that that the album is a bit bland regarding diversity. It doesn´t go as far as boring, but I think that is because the album is as short as it is. So, it is good that they didn´t fill out with 2-3 more songs. 28 minutes is enough.
Band: Fake Names
Title: Expendables
Label: Epitaph
Date of release: 2023-03-03
Rate: 7/10
Stand Out Track: Too Little Too Late
Country of Origin: Sweden/USA
Playing Time: 28:30
