The A.K.A.s - Animal summer (12'')

I am not a specialist of the band or their genre, but I do know that The A.K.A.s, formerly The A.K.A.s (Are Everywhere!), are quite underrated. It may be because their kind of music (which they describe as "dancehall fight music") is not a genre embraced by millions of listeners, but I also think their strong work ethic and their excellent debut 'White doves & smoking guns' (released on Fueled By Ramen, at the time when the label had a great and diversified roster) are way too taken for granted. However, Less Than Jake's Vinnie Fiorello, co-founder of Fueled By Ramen, still gives them his recognition as he signed them on his label Paper + Plastick created last year, to release their third album 'Animal summer'.

The A.K.A.s produce of quite unique blend of garage rock and new-wave punk, this new record 'Animal summer' emphasizing their dancing side. Few punk bands use synth as much as this band does, which leads to both dancing ('Get it together') and aggressive anthems ('True love is broke'). Mike Ski's vocals are a more dynamic version of Iggy Pop, very eccentric without being extravagant. Whereas guitars have their fair share of time in the spotlight ('Let the ears ring'), the drums are quite pushed backward in the mix and sometimes barely audible. Indeed, most of The A.K.A.s' songs are guitar/keyboard-driven. The band don't forget to include punk-rock trademark as sing-alongs and other "yeah, yeah, yeah" to make some of the tracks fit perfectly on the next Tony Hawk's Pro Skater video game soundtrack ('Weddings & funerals'). As a whole, for those unfamiliar with their sound, they're closer to Rancid than they are to Le Tigre.

The A.K.A.s are definitely more insteresting to check out live, but their discography stays solid with this third full-length. It is far from topping their heavy debut, but 'Animal summer' is a fun record fans will surely appreciate.

3.5/5

Recommanded if you like:
The Explosion, MC5, Fake Problems
Check also:
Beat Union, The Night Marchers, The Methadones

www.myspace.com/theakas
(Paper + Plastick, 2009)