Album of the Week: Dead Cats Dead Rats’ Raw

Lately I’ve been hearing people talk about how much they miss the ’90s. Yeah — the decade was cool. Flannel, acid wash jeans, weird hair cuts, Surge (thank god it’s back) and Nintendo 64 were in style, and Seattle was the mecca of music for most of those years. There was also Milli Vanilli and a plethora of horribly catchy “boy bands” that really ended the ’90s on a downer. While I don’t like to romanticize the past, a spectacular punk trio from Boston that has a sound similar to Nirvana, Mudhoney and Bad Religion has a new album out and it definitely harks back to the music of 20 years ago. That band is Dead Cats Dead Rats and their new album, Raw, is one of the most badass albums to come out in 2014.

Relating to previous material I’ve heard from them, DCDR’s new release is loud with an abrasive angst. If you’re having a stressful day, crank this baby up, let it rip and rock the fuck out. Frontman Matt Reppucci has scorching riffs on guitar to go along with bassist Chris Wolz and drummer Travis Tenney crafting an electrifying rhythm section that is a musical force to be reckoned with. Press play on this bad boy and I guarantee you won’t stop listening.

People these days sometimes just have to chill out, stop and smell the roses. Life’s too short not to do it. While partaking in said activity, make time to bask in the top tracks of my Album Of The Week. Just relax and indulge.

A complete headbanger, “Warm Up” is my favorite track off of Raw. So much emphasis on rhythm and power really makes for a complete ripper of a song. With a particular jumpy blues quality, “Knockout” has Wolz’s bass serving as the backbone for the entire track. A great amount of intensity with this one gives it a classic structure and a lot of energy. For a sick riff, I suggest giving “Big Trouble” a listen. Reppucci’s guitar is a total beast, exuding ferocious sounds and highly amplified tones.

Dead Cats Dead Rats will be heading down to Dusk in Providence on December 11 to tear it up with local punks Ask The Dead, Public Policy and Pink Eye. If you like it loud, then I absolutely recommend you hit up the show. While you’re there, pick up a copy of Raw. It’s brain melting goodness that’ll ooze into your soul.

Dead Cats Dead Rats’ Website: dcdrband.com