Review
DeeCracks
Serious Issues

DeeCracks is not exactly new to the punkrock scene. Starting out as The Cretins in 2003, rebranding themselves to DeeCRACKS in 2007 this Austrian trio has some experience under their belts. Serious Issues is their fourth full length album. Next to that they have released a string of splits and EP’s. So I am surprised that Serious Issues is the first DeeCracks release that I really listened to. You would almost think I have some serious issues with the band.

The promo blurb tells me this album is for fans of The Ramones, Screeching Weasel, The Bouncing Souls and Teenage Bottlerocket. And then it makes sense I did not pay too much attention to them yet, as I am extremely picky when it comes to Ramones-core, so I tend to just avoid the genre apart from what I already own. Something funny is going on with this band though. I checked a couple older records and based on those releases I can agree with the tag, but on this album DeeCracks is adding other influences to make up a more diverse sound that deserves further examination.

Serious Issues kicks things off with “Desert Storm Surf”, an instrumental surf-influenced punk ditty. This is a super effective song as it grabs my attention immediately and gets me ready for what is to follow. Side B (my guess, as it is track 9 of 16) opens with more or less the same trick, although “The Ambient Shake” is a little less exciting. I’ll forgive them this as I am already intrigued by what I’ve heard so far.

One of the things DeeCRACKS does to distinguish themselves from the faceless Ramones-clones of this world is they use a different vocal approach. I was reminded of Orgcore bands like Nothington or Off With Their Heads. Another genre where I am really picky, as this vocal style is a bit hit or miss for me. DeeCRACKS nails it. One song has another vocal approach. “Not Today” sounds different and not only because of different vocals. This song has a strong Turbonegro sound. So much in fact I would have believed you if you would told me it was an unreleased B-side of the Sexual Harassment album.

I mentioned DeeCracks changed their sound a bit. What they did is slow down a wee bit. Don’t get me wrong, this is still a great set of punk tunes, it’s not input for the 30 songs in 30 minutes kind of thing. Then there are the nice extra’s to the sound that helps find their own voice. There are some old time rock n roll influences in for example “We Can’t Help It” or “Inside Of You” or some keyboards in the background on “Get Out Of My Head”. “Lost In The Middle” has a guitar line with that certain twang that makes me think of Tiger Army.

These sixteen songs are diverse enough to keep you on the edge of your seat, but are coherent enough to make this one strong record. It is over before you know it. The balance of sweet and aggressive within the songs and the record as a whole is quite addictive and I find myself spinning this record over and over again.