Dead to Me: Cuban Ballerina

Featuring former members of punk group One Man Army, Dead to Me’s debut album isn’t that different from Cal-punk bands you can buy by the bushel. Nonetheless, it’s still a decent record featuring the mid-octane to high-octane punk power of “Don’t Lie” that sounds like The Buzzcocks in some respects and the fine sing-along “By the Throat”. Short and to the point, former One Man Army members Jack and Brandon work overtime on charmers like “Something New”, which is pure punk rock with a nice bass line that adds to the hook. “Special Professional” has some similar characteristics to “Little Sister” by Queens of the Stone Age. Generally it’s a pretty good effort at punk rock, judging by catchy ditties like “Splendid Isolation”, which packs lots of bite to it. Other highlights here are “Visiting Day” and the relentless “True Intentions”, as it brings to mind early Green Day and Rancid.