Dead To Me – Cuban Ballerina

I was never really into One Man Army. I got their split with Alkaline Trio, but that’s about it – other than that and a few compilations, One Man Army was relatively unknown to me. So when they announced their break up, it wasn’t really hard for me to take. However, there were some people who took it hard, so if you were one of those people who took the breakup hard, don’t worry, for fifty percent of One Man Army is back with a new band and a new album that will surely pleased most punk rock fans.

When it comes down to it, Cuban Ballerina is a very surprisingly debut album simply based on the fact that it doesn’t sound like a debut. It is tight, well produced, and flows very nicely. In a way though, it makes sense considering that three-quarters of the band have released material before,Brandon and Jack for One Man Army and Chicken for Western Addiction. This really helps push the album forward with a new adventure from already well rooted musicians – they’re still growing but not making the mess ups brand new bands would make.

Unique vocals courtesy of Chicken and Jack Dalrymple combine together unlike any other I’ve heard recently. Add in the buzzing guitars and slick bass lines, and Cuban Ballerina is a good, old school pop-punk band that falls right into place amongst the ever growing Fat Wreck Chords catalogue. Straight from the political, anti-war song Don’t Lie to songs about drug addiction and recovery, crowed prison systems, Cuban Ballerina features a social commentary portrayed to the listener through catchy, punk rock anthems without the whole “smash the state” mentality.

There’s not a whole lot to say when you talk about Dead To Me‘s breakout album, because it is simply what it is. Twelve solid, classic punk rock tunes that fit perfect in the Fat Wreck mold. At times, it becomes repetitive, but then songs like Cause Of My Anger, Splendid Isolation and True Intentions come blasting in and it’s clearly evident that this band has skill. It’s not the best album ever, but better than most debuts, and I, for one, am looking forward to what they do in the future.