New York City’s A.R.E. Weapons return with their third cd, Modern Mayhem, on Defend Music. The electronics that were so prevalent on Free In The Streets seem to have taken a back seat on the new cd, but that grit from the streets feel is still there. The reduction of the keyboard and drum machines on Modern Mayhem give the cd much more of a punk feel. For myself, the more I listen to it the more this album sounds like something the Dead Milkmen would release if they were still making music. Brian’s vocal delivery even seems to pay homage to Joe Jack Talcum on a couple of tracks. Just Gimme Indie Rock did a great job summing up the A.R.E. Weapons feel, so I am just gonna quote it:

A.R.E. Weapons make music that makes you feel like a cool warrior who’s just cut the head off his mortal enemy and is holding high to triumphant cheers on the battlefield.

You really can not even put it better than that. In the coming weeks there will be no shortage of internet critics panning this cd. I am not sure why, but a lot of people out there seem to have some sort of axe to grind. If I had to venture a guess, I would go with the whole ‘the indie crowd loves to build things up to tear it down’ chain of thought. Look, don’t believe the hype. A.R.E. Weapons are an awesome band, and Modern Mayhem is 12 tracks of gritty street punk to keep you cool through the end of this summer, so make a stand. Say, “Fuck the hipsters!” and check this disc out.

A.R.E. Weapons - Sweet Jesus
A.R.E. Weapons - I Just Can’t Get Started
A.R.E. Weapons - Heartbeat

A.R.E. Weapons Official Site, A.R.E. Weapons on myspace, Buy Modern Mayhem