Ben Weasel And His Iron String Quartet: These Ones Are Bitter

Ben Weasel And His Iron String Quartet
These Ones Are Bitter
Mendota Records [2007]






Fire Note Says: Possibly best punk rock release of 2007!

Album Review:
We have not heard from a solo Ben Weasel since his somewhat uneven debut Fidatevi [2002]. The former Screechin’ Weasel / Riverdale makes a huge punk rock return with the help of his Iron String Quartet with These Ones Are Bitter. This is power punk 101 and who better then to teach it like Ben Weasel. The songs are all tight, catchy and soaring power pop punk rock that instantly stick with you. Where his previous albums with the Weasel had a sort of snotty and bratty punk edge to them, a much more mature Ben has emerged and it shows on These Ones Are Bitter. The songs have a polished production from the help of All-American Reject Mike Kennerty, Weasel’s vocals are cleaner, stronger, and have a wider range then most of his previous releases and his songwriting is top notch. These Ones Are Bitter hums along at a perfect thirty-seven minutes and is currently only available via digital download through Ben’s label Mendota. It is actually a very good test of digital downloads because he also includes all of the artwork which is what is still currently missing from the bigger download sites. So if you have been itching for a new killer punk rock album lately look no further then Ben Weasel and His Iron String Quartet because I don’t thing you will find much else that can compare so far this year!

Key Tracks: "Got My Number", "Only In November", "Let Freedom Ring"

Bands With Similar Fire:
The Mr. T Experience
Ted Leo
MxPx

Official Ben Weasel Website
Ben Weasel MySpace
Ben Weasel Info [Allmusic]
Mendota Recording Co.

-Reviewed by Sam DaMatta