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Ear-catching punk

Promised Land
Promised Land
By Critical Me
Magnitude 6.19 Records: 2007

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by Jim Trageser
This review first appeared in the Nov. 22, 2007 issue of the North County Times.

Stylistically, San Diego's Critical Me has almost nothing in common with the Clash or Ramones other than the tenuous thread that all three are punk bands. But like those two legendary outfits, Critical Me has a seemingly innate ability to blend the exhuberant anarchy of punk with great melodies.

On what is apparently the band's debut, they present 11 songs that have the manic energy of the best punk. Chris Buckel's attacks each melody on guitar, while Caleb Bedsole's smooth yet powerful vocals apply a coat of polish that gives the band's music a radio-friendly accessibiliity. "Halfway Home" is a hit in waiting, with its soaring chorus, great melody and memorable guitar riffs.



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