Left Alone - Self Titlled

Artist: Left Alone

Album: Self Titled

Label: Hellcat Records

I've always thought it, but now I'll just go on record and say it: Left Alone might as well be Rancid.  As much as I've enjoyed Left Alone since listening to their Hellcat Records debut back in 2005, Left Alone have really only served to fill the void left by Rancid since they stopped being active back in 2003.  That being said, I've always enjoyed Left Alone despite fully recognizing their mimicry.  They have a great sloppy street punk sound that effectively balances melody with imperfection.  But now that Rancid has returned for 2009, what purpose will Left Alone serve?

Left Alone has tried answering that question with a self titled release out a few months before Rancid's comeback.  Not surprisingly, there's something that sets their self titled release apart from past efforts.  They haven't radically changed anything, but right down to the slick production quality and frequency of hooks the band has really tried to bring their A-game.  In fact, while listening to most of the songs I had a sudden urge to move - and maybe even dance a little (if you call my sad excuse for bobbing my head and shoulders "dancing").  Songs like "Low Fidelity," "Sad Sad Story," and "Bottles of Wine" in particular have have an infectiously bouncy tempo.  Thankfully, despite a greater emphasis on melody, vocalist Elvis Cotrez sounds as rough as ever.  Consequently, even with a squeaky clean production value Left Alone retain their signature street punk guise.  While the band seems to draw upon their ska influences less than in past outings, a lively ska feel still manages to shine through.  The band uses their organ as frequently as any stringed instrument, and while they probably overuse this novelty item, their organ abuse has been going on for years, and as always, may turn some listeners off, while drawing others in.  But the album provides fifteen tracks in under thirty five minutes - so nothing drags on or becomes tiresome.  

Lyrically, the band have become hypocrites.  In their past release, Dead American Radio, they closed the album with "I Hate Emo," a short, punchy tune expressing the band's dislike for all things emo.  Seems that the band forgot that writing an entire album about love and loss  is "emo."  In fact, Left Alone's Self Titled album is full of angry sob stories.  For example, in the album opener, "Spiked With Pain," Cortez sings "And all my days were filled with sorrow/And all my drinks were spiked with sorrow/And if I live to see tomorrow/I guess I'm the only one to blame."  Ok, I'll admit, the song is about life choices more than women, but you need not look further than the next track, "Branded," an angsty song about a painful breakup, for that: "Cause I'm branded branded breanded/With everything you did/But I still see my name in the marquee lights."  Convinced? No? Need something more explicit?  Ah well then just skip over to "Porcelain."  Cortez sings: "Never thought I'd ever learn to love hate now/But that comes easy after what you put me thru/Never thought I'd ever learn to forget you/Seems nothing you ever said was ever true" - As far as I'm concerned, lyrics like that could be confused with Taking Back Sunday or dare I say Bright Eyes.  A quick note to the band: Sorry boys, but I think you should exclude "I Hate Emo" from upcoming set lists.

Lyrical hypocrisy aside, Left Alone's long overdue self titled album remains quite listenable.  While production qualities have been upped noticeably, addictive hooks are just as abundant as Left Alone's emo inspired lyrics.  And I'll admit, it's pretty hard to speak ill of something when it makes you feel so very alive.