Reviewed by Paul Woodward

America's Hanover Saints follow up their debut with an exciting modern punk seven-song mini-album, hard enough to be satisfying for alternative rock fans, but tuneful enough not to isolate a wider audience. The lyrics are intelligent and cover a range of themes ranging from politics ("New War Same War" and "Brainwashed Youth") to relationships ("Let The Dogs Bark"). The songs, whilst rather angst ridden, ultimately have a positive Christian undertone. An example being the final track "Headshot", which lists the hostility and jealously of the world but ultimately has a message of hope ("It's not too late to change the errors of our ways/ It's not too late we've come too far to watch it dissolve/Gotta stick together united as one/To pull the knives from our backs and carry on".) The band might have been a bit more forthright with their spiritual message however. There is no mention of Christ, God or any quotes of Scripture in the songs. Presumably the band's aim is to be accepted within the mainstream punk community, aligning themselves with such bands as Rancid and Sick Of It All. So how come they're recording for a Christian record label?

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