BROADCAST ZERO / SOME CONCERNS REGARDING THIS REVOLT / 2010
REVIEWS
From Equalizing X Distort:
“This is BROADCAST ZERO’s latest full length. They remind me a lot of KNUCKLEHEAD in their ability to develop a melody that sounds part celtic and part modern. So they borrow from pop punk and traditional oi combining the sounds of TENPOLE TUDOR with contemporary melodic punk to bring an insanely catchy style of hardcore not unlike HOSTAGE LIFE, the REBEL SPELL and the FALLOUT, who are bands that I would love to be compared to for their ability to play a song and say something. BROADCAST ZERO say what they mean and they scream it mean. There is a song on here called “Fear Culture” which reminds me of the essence behind the Michael Moore film “Bowling for Columbine”. It makes me think of culture creep into Canada from the States in an awful way. The song “Our Freedom” reminds me of the FALLOUT’s “Shot Rings Out” in terms of melody. And the band does a cover of MARILYN’s VITAMINS to round this CD out, while borrowing a title from a HOSTAGE LIFE curiously.” (Equalizing X Distort)
From Upstarter Punk Reviews:
“The album I have been listening to lately is one that I have been wanting to listen to for a long time, but so much music that I am interested, or have become interested has come out since its release date that it has been put on the back burner. But lately, I have been back on the hunt for new music and not finding anything of particular interest. Well about two weeks ago Rebel Time Records sent out a tweet seemingly from above about a sale that they were having. Their entire discography was put on sale for 5 dollars a cd (you can still take advantage of this deal until the new year), a price I couldn’t say no to. So I finally decided to do what I had set out to do in September 2010, and purchase a copy of Broadcast Zero’s Some Concerns Regarding This Revolt. Considering the album is over a year old and the band is no longer together, I’m not really sure if what I am about to write is a review or a revisit. The album itself is very good and packed with 16 fast paced punk songs and if you have ever heard Broadcast Zero, the style of the songs does not stray too much from what you might expect from them. There are two major digressions from their norm although. The first, happened right at the time I pressed play, it was the Yellow Ledbetter-esque intro to “Wake me Up.” The change of pace (one that I found very interesting) only lasted 26 seconds and then it broke out into Broadcast Zero’s signature guitar sound that would continue to last for 16 songs with the endurance of a triathlete and speed and explosiveness of a 100 meter sprinter. The second digression is the theme of the album, and I don’t think I could explain it better then the title of the album itself. I found it very interesting. Most of the time punk bands are very steadfast in their beliefs, opinions, and politics. Some concerns….. really calls this practice into question throughout the album with such songs as “On Freedom” where Nick Shrubsole sings from two perspectives where the status quo tells “Tommy Bones” “Tommy you are deaf you see because this revolution will set you free.” Tommy replies “freedom for you ain’t freedom for I because when you speak for me you take away my autonomy.” I can’t really pick any particular favourite tracks as I do really like them all, but “Just Entertainment” really sticks out to me as it references one of my favourites and fellow Rebel Time band The Rebel Spell throughout the song. As I said, the album is very good, and I recommend it to anyone, so go ahead, take a chance, head on over to Rebel Time and pick it up for 5 bucks, you won’t be disappointed.” – (Upstarter Punk Reviews)
From Rebel Youth Magazine:
“Broadcast Zero’s new album, Some concerns regarding this revolt, comes just a year and a half after their amazing debut album Yesterday you could change the world. These Ontario punks dish out another dose of hard hitting, politically charged, punk rock anthems in 16 tracks. Some concerns has a faster, angrier sound to it, while still retaining Broadcast Zero’s particular sound and holding on to their catchy sing-along style. The album focuses on themes of selling-out, betrayal, the media, bigotry, political activism, and more. Fear Culture discusses how the corporate media attempts to keep the populace in a state of constant subduing fear. The fast and loud Nowhere to Go condemns the dead end capitalist system which leads many youth to take up military service out of desperation. Personal Overload talks about the stresses and tribulations of getting by in this fucked up system. The Enemy, slows things down for a crushing polemic about oppression cloaked as freedom. Favourite tracks include Demons, Fear Culture, Battle On, It Dies With You.” (Rebel Youth Magazine)
From Fast Forward Weekly:
Facing the threat of a sophomore jinx head-on, Kitchener-Waterloo, Ont.’s favourite new-gen, politi-personal punks, Broadcast Zero, rage with Some Concerns Regarding This Revolt. Yet another original blast of provocative, upbeat and agitated punk, the album is a bastion of rudimentary inspiration (formative Rancid nods clash against primal street-punk, akin to Casualties and genre stalwarts such as Youth Brigade); it’s a unique union of societal concerns and life lessons. While each track is raspy and furious, the quartet nonetheless strikes a keen balance, thanks to the infusion of compelling melodies into its craft, ensuring Some Concerns not only lives up to 2008’s Yesterday, You Could Change the World, but surpasses it. With 16 tracks in almost 36 minutes, this can feel a bit long-winded for a band just establishing itself outside of their own county. Yet, with tracks such as opener “Wake Me Up,” “Just Entertainment” and “Personal Overload,” one can hardly blame the overindulgence. Nary a track here is wanting in any capacity; Some Concerns is a powerful sophomore effort from a promising young act. (Fast Forward Weekly)