Voice of a Generation

Obligations to the Odd (Burning Heart/Epitaph)
by Scott Hefflon

Clunky name and misleading album title, but Voice of a Generation have the makings of greatness. They’re Swedish, which helps, and they’re a sweet cross of Oi! and gonzo rock, so you get yer gruff Business vocals over charging Johnny Thunders riffs with occasional Rancid spicing thrown in, just cuz…

OK, so it’s mostly Oi!/street punk (but with more tongue-wagging than union-endorsing), but a bit of piano-banging ol’ time rock’n’roll (and the hinting at such things) is what compensates for the Sex Pistols vocal scoop and a few other obvious lifts. These kids got the idea, and thanks to Epitaph, they got the juice.
(2798 Sunset Blvd Los Angeles, CA 90026)