The Loved Ones: Build & Burn

The Loved Ones
Build & Burn
Fat Wreck Chords [2008]







Fire Note Says: A little punk + a little rock n roll = turn the volume up!

Album Review:
Recently it seems that punk rock has sort of slipped off the music map and although the bands are still around the press seem to have lost interest. I know in the spirit of punk – who gives a crap? Right? I must admit there is only so much you can do with a punk album and still call it punk but when it is done right it can’t sound any better when you crank up the volume to ten! Philadelphia’s Loved Ones have just released their sophomore album Build & Burn on Fat Wreck Chords and the album is a picture perfect 33 minute punk rock record to the core and includes some listening surprises. Although the band has gone through some lineup changes, which includes adding a couple members from the now defunct Explosion, they seem to have focused on a broader sound. The first half of the album is more what you expect from a punk outfit but the second half of Build & Burn finds The Loved Ones strumming a more old school rock n roll, that show another side and talent of the band. They even recruited Franz Nicolay and Tad Kubler from our favorite Springsteen lovin’ band, The Hold Steady to help out with a little guitar, piano, organ, harmonica, accordion and even saw to round out the new band that is The Loved Ones. The end result is that you have a balanced American punk record that was produced by Pete Steinkopf and Bryan Keinlen from the Bouncing Souls and offers a little different definition of what “punk” is. This new approach ultimately gives the band that special niche which should get The Loved Ones noticed by a bigger audience!

Key Tracks: "The Inquirer", "The Bridge", "Louisiana"

Bands With Similar Fire:
Social Distortion
Face To Face
The Explosion

Official Loved Ones Website
The Loved Ones MySpace
The Loved Ones Info [Allmusic]
Fat Wreck Chords

-Reviewed by Sam DaMatta