Too Bad Eugene, the first band (other than an MxPx related album) to be released on the "MxPx" run label Rock City Recording Company is quite impressive and definitely something you would expect from this label. Rock with a punk rock edge, Too Bad Eugene brings us a rather solid release. Mixing a classic Descendents, No Use For A Name, MxPx and Huntingtons sound into something that comes across as sounding refreshing and full of energy. Probably the things that really stick out with this release are the very strong vocals, the great production and the overall energy of the album.
The one downside of this release is that each song seems to sound like an already established punk rock band out there. On "Fighting Words" the band seems to be going for the old All/Descendents sound that so many bands seem to be replicating. While "We Rock" sounds like it's straight off the next Huntingtons record. Having Mike Herrera add backing vocals to most of the songs may not have been the best idea either. Although I have never seen this band live before something tells me they might have a hard time replicating this great sound live.
Overall I would definitely recommend this release to anyone who is into the whole pop-punk meets rock sound.
B
Similar sounding releases
2002Ten Foot PoleBad Mother Trucker
2002Side Walk SlamGive Back
2000MxPxThe Ever Passing Moment
2004RoperBrace Yourself For The Mediocre
1999WhippersnapperThe Long Walk
2004The FightNothing New Since Rock 'N' Roll
