Aside from a couple EPs and a rarities compilation,
Restoration of Chaos & Order
comes as the first proper full-length release from the perpetually pissed-off
Against All Authority
since 2000s
24 Hour Roadside Resistance
. But don't worry, it was worth the six-year wait.
AAA
are typically known as a politically slanted
ska-punk
act, but the band has always leaned a bit more heavily to the
punk
side of things, and this fact has become even more evident the longer they've been around. With
Restoration
, it's almost to the point that
can better be referred to as a straight-up
punk rock
band that occasionally delves into checkered terrain (as in lighthearted yet potent tracks like
"Collecting Scars"
and
"Radio Waves."
) Though only a handful of songs feature their trumpet player (what the hell does he do in the meantime?), this hardly makes a good point of contention with the overall album. After all, without really breaking any new ground, the album makes for an aggressively enjoyable and consistent listen from beginning to end. Their sound is altogether refreshing among the
emo
bands taking over the underground with wonderfully snotty vocals and songs that are polished without ever losing the band's ever-gritty edge. Considering the album's title (referring to a
Bush
speech blunder sampled in track one) and accompanying artwork, politics play a less dominant role than would be expected. The government is targeted in songs like the vicious
"War Machine Breakdown"
"Sweet Televised Destruction"
-- among others -- but the band is also found tackling school shootings (
"Buried Alive"
), late night pit anthems of solidarity (
"Shut It Down"
), and a humorous tale of
love in
"All Ages Show Tonight."
The
ska
may be all but left behind, but
continue to march through the 2000s with their rage and conviction intact. Lucky us. ~ Corey Apar