Tony Sly - 12 song program

No one would deny No Use For A Name's importance in the punk scene since the 90's. Key figure of Fat Wreck Chords, the Californian act have created their own signature style, most of it being thanks to singer/guitarist Tony Sly's unmistakable vocals and songwriting. After 23 years fronting No Use and a split album with Lagwagon's Joey Cape released in 2004, Sly is offering his first ever solo album, '12 song program'.

As expected, the project is entirely acoustic. Sly put aside the fast rhythms of his band to record delicate melodies along with his guitar. Whereas a few songs could be acoustic versions of No Use For A Name ('Capo, 4th fret'), the album as a whole doesn't give this impression, the songs stand up on their own feet, letting us witness the most sensitive side of Sly. His songwriting is simple and poetic, taking a introspective look at love and life while he strings together sweet and soft harmonies song after song. Whereas a few tracks inevitably sound folk-punk as you would expect a punk-rock singer's solo project to do so ('Via Munich') and certain songs are stripped-down at the most possible ('The shortest pier'), Sly surprises by the range of sensibilities included on the record. He didn't content himself with his guitar alone and surrounded himself with a cast of guests instruments and vocalists. The lovely voice of Karina Denike, from the ska-punk formation Dance Hall Crashers, makes the vocal line thicker and smoother on seven songs and Joey Cape comes to support his long-time friend on 'Amends'. 'Via Munich' and 'Fireball' feature a subtle violin, 'Expired' a movie sample, the excellent 'Toaster in the bathtub' drums and handclaps. You'll even find the accordion of Swingin' Utters' Darius Koski ('Already won') and the bass of NOFX's Fat Mike ('AM'). Whilst the first is quite upbeat, the latter has a darker and airy atmosphere mostly provided by the addition of keys.

With his first real solo experience, Tony Sly didn't necessarily choose the predicatable route of folk-punk like many of his peers did (Chuck Ragan and Greg Graffin in the lead), he instead relied on an original instrumentation to give to the record a more pop and diverse appeal. Whilst not indispensable, '12 hour program' will please No Use For A Name's fans and suckers for acoustic punk.

3.5/5

Recommanded if you like:
No Use For A Name, Sundowner, Nikola Sarcevic
Check also:
Kevin Seconds, Joey Cape, Jon Snodgrass

www.myspace.com/tonyslymusic
(Fat Wreck Chords, 2010)