Some bands are so earnest and straight from the heart it makes it impossible not to pay attention to them. Iron Chic is that kind of band. Not Like This is that kind of album.
Punk music does “earnesty” better than any other genre. I think that stems from the low barrier of entry, which allows a group of like-minded people to get together in a garage and sing about their fears, hopes, and dreams over four power chords.
Lead singer Jason Lubrano takes full advantage of that built-in benefit during the entirety of Not Like This. In each song Lubrano weaves a story that captures the classic feelings of frustration vs. hope, punctuating his lyrical themes with a choir of gang vocals (MF’ing gang vocals!) that are driven home with an exclamation point. If you know anything about me, I am an absolute mark for gang vocals. IMO they are the best vehicle for an artist to convey a sense of togetherness, a standard that no other vocal approach can compare to.
Not Like This sounds like a live record cut in some shitty bar with 48 drunk sweaty people hopping around like maniacs while the band rocks on a stage elevated two feet off the floor. It is the sound of personal connection, of belonging, of adrenaline-fueled intimacy. In other words, it encapsulates what makes punk rock so special.
Standout Songs: “Cutesy Monster Man”, “I Always Never Said That”, “Every Town Has An Elm Street”
