Listen to the new album from Charming to the Last!
Listen to the new album from Charming to the Last!

JFH Indie Review

JFH Indie Music Spotlight Review

Worth Taking

Worth Taking
Punker Than Thou

Album length: 6 tracks: 17 minutes, 33 seconds
Style: Punk / Rock
Street Date: May 27, 2014
Official Site: Facebook


Where did punk music go? At one point, it seemed to flood the market until one day it just disappeared. Refusing to let punk vanish is San Francisco-based indie band Worth Taking bringing a collection of covers with their latest EP, Punker Than Thou. The six-song EP embraces three legendary bands: The Ramones, Green Day, and MxPx - covering two tracks from each band.

"Maria" and "2000 Light Years Away" showcase their love for Green Day. The songs are thankfully not over-the-top interpretations, but Worth Taking makes each track very approachable. Instead of trying to alter the songs, they honor it with a faithful sound. Fans of MxPx will find some great versions with "The Empire" and "My Life Story." Lead vocalist Jerod McBrayer sings with a clearer tone and cleaner production, which isn't normally found in the punk scene. Finishing up the band's punk ventures are The Ramones, "I Wanna Live" and "I Just Want to Have Something to Do." If there are any newcomers to the punk scene, this kind of sound is foundational. It's that self-expressive sound of a counter-culture.

Overall, Worth Taking has done an excellent job of interpreting and translating these tracks for a contemporary audience. The beauty of these covers is that they are songs that are relatively unknown - unless by die-hard fans. In addition, the quality of each track is evident and impressive. The only downside with the clear production is that it loses some of that rawness that the original recordings had. Regardless, if you're looking for good music to kick off the summer, Worth Taking can help you with that.

- Review date: 5/22/14, written by Ryan Barbee of Jesusfreakhideout.com



(JFH Sponsor Spot)

StudioBook: Book Recording Sessions. Find studios and artists to work with.

 

. Record Label: M Perfect Records
. Album length: 6 tracks: 17 minutes, 33 seconds
. Street Date: May 27, 2014

  1. Maria
  2. The Empire (featuring Mike Herrera)
  3. I Wanna Live
  4. 2000 Light Years Away
  5. My Life Story
  6. I Just Want to Have Something to Do
spacer     Click For Song Lyrics
    Click For Song Lyrics
    Click For Song Lyrics
    Click For Song Lyrics
    Click For Song Lyrics
    Click For Song Lyrics

 

 


 



  • Jesus freak Hideout (Ryan Barbee): Why did you all decide to do a covers project and why those three bands [Green Day, MxPx, and The Ramones]?

    Jerod: We've been in a really interesting place while trying to put out our upcoming full-length. We wanted to show our fans that we are alive and well. Because covers are written by someone else, they force you to stretch yourself in order to put your stamp on them. Chris, Tim, and I each picked one band. I'll leave the "who picked who" a mystery.

  • JFH (Ryan): Why cover the unfamiliar songs?

    Jerod: We love a challenge, and unfamiliar songs always present the most exciting challenges. If something is well known (and well covered), you tend to find yourself mimicking things that other bands have done. We also saw it as an opportunity to give new life to some songs that we felt deserved just as much longevity as "the singles."

  • JFH (Ryan): How would you explain "punk music" to the average Joe who listens to nothing but contemporary radio?

    Jerod: While everyone has their own opinion on punk, I believe it's a genre as well as a lifestyle. Punk is about supporting the community. Punk is about knowing no bounds and just going for it. Consequently, you will find that, from a sonic perspective, many punk bands sound very raw. It's more about passion than perfection. It's Rock and Roll without all the glamor.

  • JFH (Ryan): What song was the most challenging to record?

    Jerod: I'll say "I Wanna Live." We probably took the most artistic license with that song. We wanted to be respectful of the original, but really saw a lot of room to make it our own. Walking that line is never easy.

  • JFH (Ryan): What artists/bands are you currently listening to?

    Jerod: Now that Copeland is getting back together, I'm spinning their whole catalog on repeat. I'm really liking the most recent releases by Bayside and Switchfoot as well.

  • JFH (Ryan): What do you hope to accomplish with your music?

    Jerod: The goal will always be to spread a message of hope and love. No matter how dark or light your story, someone can relate and it's important to share that.

  • JFH (Ryan): If you could sit down and have afternoon tea [I don't know why it has to be afternoon or tea but… that's the hand you were dealt] with anyone… who would it be and why?

    Jerod: At the moment, it would have to be Truett Cathy. I bet he has some stories to tell. You can read all the books in the world about him, but nothing would beat a conversation. Because of the scrutiny that comes along with his status, I think a candid visit with him would be rare and exciting. Warren Buffett is a close second, but I imagine the tea wouldn't be as good.

     

     

    go to main Indie review page
    go to Indie Review Index

     

  •                  
    StudioBook: Book Recording Sessions. Find studios and artists to work with.

    Search JFH




    This Friday, October 4, 2024
    ALBUMS
    Allos Strong Delusion [En Hakkore]
    Altarheart Creatures Here Below (independent)
    The Choir Reinterpretations EP [Galaxy21 Music]
    Chad Cory America The Election Year - EP [DREAM]
    Ernie Haase & Signature Sound Live in Memphis [Club44]
    Jordan Feliz Everything Good [Centricity]
    Benjamin William Hastings Sold out, sincerely [Capitol CMG]
    Lauren, Amber & Kenna A Little Bit of Heaven [Horizon]
    Heath McNease Autumn Sessions (independent)
    Nu Tone Mudville Diamonds [His Throne]
    The Rock Music No One Knows Me Like You - EP (independent)
    Sixpence None the Richer Rosemary Hill - EP [Flartiron]
    Swingin Hammers To Save His Own EP (independent)
    Matthew West Don't Stop Praying [Story House]

    SINGLES
    AWZY what is right - Single [DREAM]
    Gable Price and Friends Think With Your Chest - Single [Capitol CMG]
    Hopeful. Wild One - Single (independent)
    Sarah Kroger The Gardener - Single [Integrity]
    Lecrae Lift Me Up (feat. Beam) - Single [Reach Records]
    LIFE Worship Wait On The Lord - Single [Integrity]
    Light the Way I Would Prefer Not To - Single [Small Step Records]
    MŌRIAH Hasta Manana - Single [F2]
    Oh Jeremiah Spades (feat. The Arcadian Wild) - Single (independent)
    Jeannie Ortega Love Me Love Me - Single [Syntax]
    Out of Eden Lovely Day 3.0 - Single [Dare]
    Paper Horses The Helpers - Single (independent)
    Pocketshot Walk the Aisle (feat. Downcast Hibiscus) - Single (independent)
    Rapzilla Freshmen BLEED - Single [Syntax]
    Red Rocks Worship Never Gets Old - Single [Provident]
    Jon Shabaglian Adonai (deliverence song) (feat. Psalmist Mission) - Single (independent)
    Tekoa Though I Walk - Single (independent)
    Tenielle Neda Offering of Praise (feat. John Van Deusen) - Single (independent)
    Tigerwine Prototypic - Single [Tooth & Nail]
    TKE3 Glory - Single (independent)
    Tundra Undead - Single [Rottweiler Records]
    Vineyard Worship & Dreaming The Impossible Stand Firm - Single [Vineyard UK]
    Phil Wickham Shepherd Boy - Single [Fair Trade]
    Josh Wright The Fall - Single [Wings Music]

    Next Friday, October 11, 2024
    ALBUMS
    Decayed Existence The Beginning Of Sorrows [Rottweiler]
    Down East Boys Something To Shout About [Sonlite]
    lydi lynn Desert Dream - EP [Gotee]
    Tamela Mann Live Breathe Fight [TillyMann]
    Maverick City Music, Songhouse MAVHOUSE - EP [Tribl]
    Ian Yates Kingdom [7 Core]
    Darlene Zschech Testament [Integrity]

    SINGLES
    Sam Bowman El Dorado - Single [DREAM]
    Good Weather Forecast One More Time (Kings and Queens) - Single [DREAM]



    For all release dates, click here!
     



    Check out the new album from Taylor Holland Armstrong!



    Listen to the new Album From Millennial Reign!

    Check out depositphotos for royalty free images