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HAMAPPLE
"Family & Friends" (Hamapple;
2024)
Reviewed by R. Scott Bolton
On "Family & Friends," Hamapple deliver seven punkish tracks that remind me of our friends Kauz of Affliction. In other words, Hamapple does the hell what they want to do and, in doing so, have released a recording that's varied, dynamic, and unique. In other words, it's not just another Ramones-influenced punk rock band; it's a band that has created their own sound and hopes you join them on their short (21-minute journey).
The album begins with the raw punker, "Paranoia is Freedom," which could have come off a Dead Boys album. Next up is a live(?) version of their tune, "Bodies," which starts off with a new wave twang before coalescing into a standard punk driver. The Spanish-language "Historia Triste" follows, another straight-forward punker set apart with the non-English presentation (which gives the track a little additional grit). Another surprise is next as a female vocalist takes over singing duties for "Corpus Christi," which almost sounds like a Bangles or The Go Go's tune. Those female vocals return with the next track, a killer cover of Jefferson Airplane's "White Rabbit," which combines elements of the original tune with a punk rock edge. Track 6 is yet another surprise, a standard Spanish-language ballad which sounds like it could have come from an old Western. Finally, "Karen" closes out the album, and provides a few surprises of its own. A gentle, guitar and keyboard-driven tune with surprisingly personal lyrics.
Bottom line here is simple: There a lot of listeners out there who aren't going to like Hamapple or their "Family & Friends" album. Some may call its variety "uneven." I call it bold. No matter what your thoughts on the selection of genres represented here, there's no questioning this band's talent. They've got a lot to say, and a lot of ways to say it. It's up to you whether or not you want to listen.
For more information, check out https://www.facebook.com/longbeachhamapple/.
Rating Guide:
A classic. This record will kick your ass.
Killer. Not a classic but it will rock your world.
So-so. You've heard better.
Pretty bad. Might make a nice coaster.
Self explanatory. Just the sight of the cover makes you wanna hurl.
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Copyright © 2026 by R. Scott Bolton. All rights reserved.
