Album Review
Although the three musician who make up Battery Life are veterans of the southern California rock scene, they play with a vitality of youngsters. Singer/guitarist Paul Almanza and bassist/singer Mike Lawrence both spent time in the long-running Orange County punk group Mad Parade. Lawrence also was a member of the Wednesday Week alt-country spin-off Lucky and the power pop outfit Action Now, a band that drummer Scott Hillman played in as well. You can hear bits of these prior bands in Battery Life's music. While a garage-y punk sound predominates, the songs include a touch of twang and a healthy dose of power pop hooks (although they emphasize the "power" over the "pop"). The best band comparison, however, would be Hüsker Dü, particularly since Almanza's vocals often bring to mind Bob Mould. Tunes like "Delusional," "Fred Astaire," and "Deep in the Crowd" are punchy punk numbers that sound like possible Hüsker Dü outtakes — which isn't a bad thing. While lacking that landmark band's manic fury and Mould's punk poetics, Battery Life still projects a potent intensity. Almanza's vocal growl and revved-up guitar riffs give the disc a menacing feel that is perhaps exemplified in the psychobilly-flavored title track. Lawrence and Hillman's meaty rhythm section work helps to create the record's full-bodied sound. Hillman's propulsive drumming is an especially key ingredient as it fuels such high-octane tunes as "Light Blue Room" and "Somewhere in the Night." Battery Life probably won't leave its mark on the music world like Hüsker Dü did, but Shotgun Loudmouth does offer 40 high-energy minutes of sweaty, catchy punk-style garage rock.
