Juicehead – How To Sail A Sinking Ship

JuiceheaD’s monstrous twenty-song album How To Sail A Sinking Ship spares no expense when it comes to energy.  Track after track the Chicago, Illinois trio plug away at their guitars at varying degrees of hooky enthusiasm.  That they share a label, Misfits Records, with classic punk conglomerate Osaka Popstar should come as no surprise based on their obvious commitment to classic rhythm and structure.  Fitting somewhere between The Ramones and No Use For A Name, JuiceheaD plays to an audience that probably already knows they’re going to enjoy their quick, hook driven style.

At its core, How To Sail A Sinking Ship is a speedy punk thrill ride that plays its hand close to the table.  Subscribing to the tradition of blanketing melodies in a quick fire of minimalistic power chords, simplicity and consistency proves key.  Songs like “Death Of Democracy” throw in some bigger impact moments including a hefty “woah-oh-oh” intro and speed trap of hyperactive chords as restless and spontaneous as a child with unmediated ADD.  There’s a frequently employed upstroke lurking around every bend, making for some welcome “pick-it-up!” ska infusions on songs like “Rotting From The Inside.”  The band also boasts hooks-a-plenty with the chorus heavy ‘good riddance’ themes of “Lorraine.”  “When I Fall From Grace” and “Black Roses” also throw in some bagpipes and violin for good measure, and while results certainly won’t threaten Dropkick Murphys or Flogging Molly, the attempt at variation doesn’t go unappreciated.

I should note though that over the course of writing this review I found myself at a loss when choosing adjectives.  Their basic punk rock mechanics aren’t going to turn the heads of veterans with any new tricks, so Juicehead is going to have to rely on long time fans that don’t mind sticking to the status quo.  Still, JuiceheaD knows how to throw in just enough flare to keep from wearing the formula thin across twenty-plus tracks, and for that they must be commended.

Overall I’ve enjoyed my introduction to JuiceheadD over the course of How To Sail A Sinking Ship.  True, lyrically nothing ever gave me an epiphany, (lines like “a perfect government, there’s no such thing and we all know it” are about as deep as you’ll get, and the message is far from startling), but on the same note nothing ever felt out of place.  With a solid compositional core, JuiceheaD gets it right where it counts.  Definitely worth checking out.