Review → The Shortcuts – self-titled (2008)
The Shortcuts - s/t
I, probably like many people outside Minneapolis, heard of the Shortcuts by way of Mitch Clem, writer/artist behind the punk webcomic Nothing Nice to Say, and artist of many awesome show posters. He’s responsible for the album art, which I find fantastic. Of course, we don’t judge books by their covers, and the same holds true for albums. So do the songs contained herein live up to the album art?
In a word, yes.
In a number of words, this band has created 9 pop-punk gems, leaning more toward the punk side than the pop side, but still firmly entrenched in both camps. With the guitars going fast and furious for most of the album’s length, this will put a smile on your face, guaranteed. If it doesn’t, you probably don’t like fun, and in which case, I’m very sorry.
The only negative I can muster about this album is the length. Now, I listen to punk, so I’m used to very short albums (I’m looking at you, Group Sex), but the number of tracks is what gets me down here; only 9 songs? I guess you should always leave the audience wanting more, and the Shortcuts certainly do that! I’m hoping for a 7″ or something released in the near future, to tide me over. But really, is that much of a complaint to have? That I love this album and this band so much that I wish they had given me more music?
With any luck, they will bring some new music to the masses soon. I can hardly wait!
EDIT: I’ve let this go for too long, but I still need to mention it: the album contains a secret track! About 5 minutes into the last song, they kick out a cover of the Sealab 2021 theme song. It’s quick, and pretty true to the show version, but it feels like a great ending to the album.
Rating: 4 stars
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July 2nd, 2009 at 7:26 am
[...] As some of you might remember, I really liked the debut album from Minneapolis’s the Shortcuts. It was one of my favorites from last year, and remains so. [...]