Ann Beretta

To All Our Fallen Heroes (Lookout!)
by Tim Den

Ann Beretta is the only Rancid-ish band I can stomach. All of the gruff, none of the annoying snarl. Plus, they’re much more melodic and willing to use different styles to get that country-music-desperation across. While the bpms are often well over comfortability, they slow down the Swingin’ Utters-anthems once in a while to let the Johnny Cash in them breathe. Best example: “Vengeance.” Perfect for broken-hearted men in the Heartlands. Hints of The Jam and The Clash show up here and there, and they even do the ska-punk thing for “Burning Bridges.” Add a does of blues-based riffing (“Like a Riot”), and you’ve got one kick-ass grassroots punk rock band. To All Our Fallen Heroes… will make you sing!!
(www.lookoutrecords.com)