Redemption

espite being one of the few Israeli punk outfits to break into markets like the U.S. and Japan, Haifa's Useless ID are no mere anomaly. With a heavy influx of pop -- not dissimilar to blink-182, the Ataris, and No Use for a Name -- the band aligns with Descendents founder Bill Stevenson at his Fort Collins mecca, The Blasting Room, for Redemption, one of 2005's most palatable examples of the subgenre. Considering the Descendents connection (they have a percolating number called "Drinkage" for crying out loud), it's rather fitting that hooks, chicks, and beer play so heavily. The melancholy tease of "It's Alright" soon gives way to more powerful, inventive numbers like "Suffer for the Fame" -- which smacks of All's more progressive punk approach -- and the Millencolin-like "State of Fear." Still, it's the contagious, albeit somewhat innocuous, "Turn Up the Stereo" and "Dying Love" that advocate Useless ID's hit potential. ~ John D. Luerssen|

イスラエルが世界に誇る次世代メロディック・パンクの雄、ユースレスIDが、約2年間のインターヴァルを経てシーンに帰還!　哀愁と激情が交錯する極上のメロディー、力強さと温かさを湛えて疾走するサウンドはそのままに、モロにグリーン・デイを彷彿とさせる陽気なナンバーまでも披露。そんなチャレンジ精神に満ち溢れた今作は、従来までの魅力と未知なる可能性が抜群のバランスで溶け合った逸品に仕上がった。
bounce (C)渡辺 貴仁