Grey Area / The Reveling / The Copyrights / Luther - 4 Way Split

Here it is... the four split between Grey Area, The Reveling, The Copyrights and Luther. This collection of bands on one release is an excellent barometer for the health of modern punk rock in all forms. While all rooted in punk rock, each band brings a different recipe to the table. A collection of bands all contributing to a common project like this is an incredible breath of fresh air.

The record kicks off with two brand new tracks from NYC's Grey Area. If you are unfamiliar with them, I recommend you stop reading this review right now and go pick up their self titled record and the masterpiece, Fanbelt Algebra. Grey Area boasts a pedigree unlike any other band around with members who have served time in such monumental projects as Warzone, Token Entry, Black Train Jack and Kill Your Idols. The amazing thing is that you can hear elements of all of those bands in their sound, which is more pop punk in nature than anything these members had previously worked on. While very much melodic hardcore/punk rock in nature, the musicianship and songwriting transcends those labels. Grey Area have always been the definition of passion and honesty in this scene to me and nothing has changed in that regard with these tracks. Now... if you are a fan of their back catalog then I can say without a doubt that you will love these tracks. To me personally, they almost feel like the bridge between the bright and poppy leanings of the first record and the much more moody and introspective nature of Fanbelt Algebra. These cuts alone make this release a must buy for any Grey Area fan and "Bad Anything" might be one of my favorite tracks of theirs of all time.

Up next are Brooklyn, NY's The Reveling. Their portion of this split was by far the biggest surprise to me. They were able to capture the raw energy of rock and roll and melded with melodic punk rock in a way that I haven't really been heard since the early works of The Gaslight Anthem or The Loved Ones. The powerful songwriting coupled with the keen sense of melody and musicianship makes these tracks really stand out on this release. I will undoubtedly be digging into the Reveling's back catalog after hearing them.

Starting out the second half is an original and a cover from the Carbondale, Illinois melodic punk rock mainstays, The Copyrights. I was privileged enough to have caught these guys the last time they came through Baltimore and was completely blown away. Strong in their sound is the "midwest" style of punk rock. Rough around the edges, but with an incredible sense of melody... their style is as infectious as it is gritty, much like their contemporaries The Lawrence Arms and Dillinger Four. The original track offered up on this split shows of their ability to play at a feverish pace while maintaining the anthemic qualities bands of the common ilk are known for. They follow it up with an energetic cover of Scared of Chaka's classic "Straight to the Office".

Finally... we have Philadelphia's indie/melodic punk quartet, Luther. Of all of the artists on this release, these guys are the one that I know the least about... but to be honest... after hearing these tracks I intend on changing that. They adopt a very natural and densely layered style of indie rock that is intertwined with a foundation in punk rock. This approach is extremely refreshing. Absent is the presence of a high gloss sheen that far too many bands feel is necessary when playing punk rock these days. Luther, really bring this release home with a poetic and honest offering of songs. I expect big things of this group and I predict that you will be hearing their name a lot more in the near future.

All in all, this release is flawless to me. From the legends Grey Area and road tested veterans The Copyrights to the relative new comers The Reveling and Luther, you will find four completely different takes on punk rock. Their styles span the spectrum from melodic hardc

Home Follow on Twitter! Like on Facebook!