Post by jptheprofessor on Sept 14, 2008 22:26:14 GMT -5
THE ROOFTOPS – HOPE ON THE STREETS (Drunk Rock Records) Philadelphia area trio The Rooftops unleash full punk-rocking fury on their debut CD, Hope On The Streets. Rooted in the old-school punk tradition of the Ramones, singer/guitarist Nassaw Tate, bassist Frankie Bags and drummer Patty Kavka slam out bristling anthems, with tight, high-velocity rhythms setting the turbulent backdrops for odes about survival and growing up on the tough streets of Philadelphia. With his distinctive and scathing vocal bark, Tate sings about how lack of money keeps him hungry and motivated on the churning opener “One Million Dollars,” and he relates the desperation of big city stress and alcoholism at the intersection of “5th and Hope.” The Rooftops celebrate one of Hollywood’s best-known Philadelphians on the volatile “Adrian,” examining how hard living strengthened Rocky’s resolve inside the ring. Life’s tensions are vented through music on the heavier and thundering “Johnny Walker” and the acoustic ballad “Nothing to Live;” while the disc’s other acoustic number, “Get It On the Floor,” offers street survival advice. The group gives a Will Smith hit a fiery punk rock makeover on “The King of Bel Air.” The Rooftops’ performances are forceful and go-for-broke, as the group delivers these numbers with verve and passion. The production by the band and Dan Malsch is sharp and to the point, enabling The Rooftops to bare their teeth. Hope On The Streets is loud and proud punk rock, as The Rooftops channel Philadelphia hard living into a mean, lean, high-velocity attack. (The CD can be obtained through The Rooftops' website, www.therooftopsband.com.)