Social Distortion, “Hard Times and Nursery Rhymes” [Epitaph]
The record is overproduced, but that doesn’t detract too much from the end result. Like most Social D records, not every song is a keeper, but there are more good ones than bad ones and their exploration into bluesier and twangy terrain is a welcome one.
Social Distortion – “Diamond in the Rough”

Coffee Project, “Moved On” [Paper + Plastic]
This acoustic punk duo features Buddy Schaub from Less Than Jake and Jake Crown from Rehasher, with one playing guitar and the other trombone. There’s not much depth, but the songs are heartfelt and catchy and about the usual punk rock stuff: Girls, cats, Gainsville.
Coffee Project – “Oh Sweet Pickle”

Frank Turner, “Rock & Roll” [Epitaph]
Like a youthful Billy Bragg, UK singer/songwriter Frank Turner offers up five new songs backed by a first-rate band, who bash out his anthems for the heartbroken, the drunks and the believers — all as a teaser for a new full-length in 2011.
Frank Turner – “I Still Believe”

Chixdiggit!, “Safeways Here We Come” [Fat Wreck Chords]
Calgary’s favorite pop-punk sons return with seven new songs, most of them goofy, but all of them charming, as they manage to wring more life from three chords and a peppy melody than hardly anyone else. The best track is “Since You Got a Dog,” about a friend’s pup who nobody likes.
Chixdiggit – “Since You Got a Dog”

Forgetters, self-titled 2×7″ [Too Small to Fail]
Jawbreaker fans will rejoice that Blake Schwarzenbach’s latest project sounds a lot like Jawbreaker. They’re muddy, a three-piece and they’re way more punk than anything Blake has done in a decade. The four songs aren’t immediately great but they get there after repeated listens.
Forgetters – “Too Small to Fail”

Me First and the Gimme Gimmes, “Go Down Under” [Fat Wreck Chords]
The latest EP from the punk rock supergroup finds the band covering Australian bands, from Air Supply to INXS and Rick Springfield. What, no Midnight Oil? You know the drill – punk rock interpretations of songs you love (or that you will soon).
Me First and the Gimme Gimmes – “All Out of Love”

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