Whiskey Rebels was a punk band from Sacramento, CA. I never had the chance to hear much of their other material, but this album (their second and final full-length from 2004) is absolutely excellent, and never got the attention it deserved.
The title track, especially, has been a big favorite of mine ever since I first heard it almost nine years ago. Much more emotional than your average punk rock tune, you can tell from the start there's something special about this song. The way it continuously builds itself up and breaks back down with spirited power chords, pulsing basslines, and surging melodies, etc.
It's the vocal performance that steals the show, though. I mean, whew... those vocals during the chorus strike a huge nerve and still give me chills with each listen. That immeasurably intense screaming that kind of teeters into a "singing yell" is just incredible. Catchy, hard-hitting, and heartfelt all at once.
I don't know who sent me this CD way back in the summer of 2005, but whoever you are, thank you, 'cause I'm still fuckin' listening...
