"Buck Wild"

A Fistful of Dynamite

Buck Wild

I didn’t know how to feel at first when I popped this CD in for review. Being the pessimist I am, I expected this to be some sort of post-hardcore emo band which I would most definitely hate. I was planning on writing a horrible review…emo, after all, has no place in punk rock or this magazine. But much to my delight, A Fistful of Dynamite is no post-hardcore emo band. They are folk punk, something far from the emo whines I expected to hear. And for that I am very grateful.

The first song was alright but nothing that really stood out to me in particular. But as soon as I heard the second track, “We’re Talking About People, Right?”, I knew I was going to have to listen to it again. And so I did – as soon as it had finished I instantly replayed it, picking up everything I could from the song that I didn’t already catch on my previous listening. I don’t even know how to really describe the greatness of this song…nothing I say will do it justice. It’s a song that makes me nostalgic although of what I’m not sure…it reminds me of the Swingin’ Utters but I have no clue why, and I can tell that the lyrics are deep and meaningful but I don’t know what they’re trying to say. A Fistful of Dynamite is acoustic folk rock with a definite punk rock energy and sound. The vocals at times seem strained but when the chorus comes with the background singers chanting along with lead vocals, it picks up momentum.

This isn’t your typical folk punk band, although if you like folk punk you most likely will also like A Fistful of Dynamite. Think Flogging Molly meets Against Me! meets Swingin’ Utters with the lyrical styling of Bad Religion and Operation Ivy. That’s the best way I could describe it in terms of major comparable bands. At this point I would like to discuss with you what I believe really makes the band unique. Now, any band could play folk punk more or less (assuming they have at least some background in the music and musical talent), but A Fistful of Dynamite, as I have already mentioned, is not just any folk punk band. There is a certain punk energy fueling the songs, a certain unpolished quality to the music that you just can’t resist. The lead vocals are in parts shaky and uncertain, but when the pace picks up so do they and the song explodes with the gruff punk attitude we all love. Harmonica, accordion and acoustic guitar add the folk to this punk soundtrack, and when mixed with the killer lyrics (which cover topics from the undead to suicide and beyond), they explode through the speakers of your sound system.

There is only one real problem I find with this CD, and that is the absence of energy in some of the tracks. The energy is almost there but doesn’t quite make it…you can almost feel the vigor built up in the songs, waiting to burst out and be set free, but when the time comes it just never happens. Almost, almost, almost…and then nothing. In a way it’s almost disappointing to see what the songs could have been if given a little something to boost them up to the next level (a bit of speed, perhaps), but then again, as they are the songs are still very enjoyable and you forget that they could have been something more.

“Serenity Now”, “We’re Talking About People, Right?”, and “The Johnson 12” are the standout songs on this album, without a doubt. All have unforgettable choruses, captivating lyrics and an overall uncompromising sound. “The Johnson 12” is the last song on the album, and fittingly so, as it enlightens the listener that all good things come to an end only because you’re letting them. It’s a song with depressing lyrics and an uplifting message – an odd combination that seems to work in this case. “Serenity Now” sings about raising the dead, a topic many fans of theirs are sure to enjoy. And “We’re Talking About People, Right?” is just an amazing, haunting song with clever lyrics and an impressive chorus that forces you to press the repeat button of your CD player long after the first time you’ve heard it.

A Fistful of Dynamite was a pleasant surprise to the pessimist inside of me whispering that this was nothing more than a crappy emo band masquerading as something better than it actually was. “Buck Wild” was like a hardcore acoustic slap in the face, in the best way possible. If you’re a fan of folk punk, or just punk in general, then I would suggest giving them a listen. If you’re anything like me (which I have to assume you are), then you’ll love this CD as much as I did. And that’s saying a lot.