Desert Shores
Throw Rag's approach to punk rock is refreshing and yet still time-honored.Space Hump Mehas a lot of early-'70s punk in it, particularly with the sneering vocals and simple arrangement such as the Damned. Lead singer Captain Sean-Doe never lets loose as the song is wild but still quite tight, much likeHollywood, which appears later.Hang Upcontinues the party rock atmosphere as more guitars are brought to the fore. However, they mix rockabilly and punk beautifully, especially onRule Maker, a tune that could easily be on a Social Distortion album. Performing what they dubbed ''sailor rock,''Mission's Messageis the first track that sounds ordinary at best and more like filler despite an exciting guitar solo. The group returns to its strengths with the head-bobbing, fist-pumpingBag of Glue, another hard punk tune with a washboard thrown in.Beware of the Dogis a rock tune seemingly dusted off from the '70s, but Throw Rag deliver it flawlessly. The punk rock gives way to a harder no-nonsense rock sound like Danko Jones and Ten Benson for the latter half, including the grittyReno. ButPlease Don't Touch, which features Rita D'Albert on backing vocals, is definitely from the Misfits brand of rock. And it ends on a good note with the crunchy rock riffs onDemons in a Row, a mix of horns and AC/DC circa Bon Scott. --Jason MacNeil, Rovi