Cats And Jammers

Combining the sound of The Buzzcocks with early Young Fresh Fellows, the fellows in Chicago's Cats & Jammers keep getting better and better. Scott Anthony, Addison Monroe, and Paul Medrano play simple three piece rock music that is highly reminiscent of bands from the early to mid-1980s. The songs are short and to-the-point and feature wonderfully insightful lyrics that are often hilarious. The band's melodies and hooks are what ultimately rule, however...as songs are the strongest link here. Whole Lotta Goddamn features smart, effervescent tunes that would make Scott McCaughey proud. The guys in this band play with such sincere youthful enthusiasm and excitement that it's almost impossible not to love them. Fun memorable cuts include "Rock and Roll Invasion," "Will I Die Young?", "Propaganda Slaves," and "Stabitty Stabitty Stab Stab Stab." (Rating: 5/6) - BabySue

There are so many nods to the earlier nineties version of pop punk music in Cats and Jammers' first track on "Whole Lotta Goddamn" that one almost feels as if they are listening to "Dookie" all over again. The only thing that really distinguishes Cats and Jammers from the rest of the acts out there is more of an appreciation for the sixties rock that would eventually filter down to pop punk via The Ramones. Further tracks, such as "Will I Die Young?" seem to have a veneer to them that looks much more towards alt-rock than the pop punk opening to "Whole Lotta Goddamn".

The one major tie that both these styles of tracks have is that Cats and Jammers infuse them with a tremendously catchy poppiness that will keep resonating in listeners' ears well after the disc ends. A middle ground is finally reached with tracks like "Evil Alien Hoax", which still snaps with a punk bite but is in a realm completely its own. The echoing
vocals present during "Evil Alien Hoax" gives Cats & Jammers a body during the track that pushes them even closer to greatness. At thirty five minutes, Cats & Jammers push through their agenda in record time;
if someone blinks, they are going to be sadly disappointed. The band's maturity allows them to say volumes in each and every song; when the band throws in something completely unexpected (the odd backing noises
during "Propaganda Slaves"), this only increases their stock in my
eyes. What results during "Whole Lotta Goddamn" is a band that traipses easily through a number of linked style in the creation of a different style that never fails to stay interesting.

The simple fact that Cats & Jammers can start with a very Knack like sound on their "Lips That I Miss", throw in a little Husker Du and Pinhead Gunpowder, and still infuse the track with their own essence (specifically through Scott's vocals) should be impressive enough to shock listeners into purchasing this album. Almost ten years have
passed since the band coalesced into the entity that one hears on
"Whole Lotta Goddamn"; with first "Propose Toast" and then "Whole Lotta Goddamn", one has to think that Cats & Jammers' time is now. Here's to hoping their star starts shooting upward like they deserve, and that the average music fan will gain an appreciation for Cats & Jammers that is long overdue.
- Neufutur

Ready for a trip through adolescence and teen adrenalin at the speed of sound? Then prepare yourself for Cats + Jammers pure punk journey through songs like
"Spitball," "Zodiac Girl," "Not Gay" and "Mannequin."

All through the CD - a speedy 17 numbers - I could imagine myself sitting in a lawn chair in front of an open garage door, listening to friends trying to play with my mind. The music is fast and best played loud, the lyrics are mostly
testosterone-driven, and I was never quite sure when they were playing with my mind and when they were serious. I like that.

One song that really rocked me was "Jesus Was A Jew." This is unapologetic bash of televangelists, pop preachers, pedophiles hiding behind the cloth and hypocritical organized religion in general. I first thought - wow, this could be really offensive
- but listening through it made it clear that the title wasn't merely for its shock value. Great job on this one, guys. One tune I'm not so sure about is "Good As Dead." Made me feel kinda creepy
in a not-so-good way. It's a song for all these "broken-hearted guys" but it's never really clear if "she's good as dead" as in a figure of speech or an actual state of lifelessness. Don't like it, but can't fault the music or delivery.

I'm pretty sure there's at least one statement per song that's offensive to someone in some way. Offensive, but not hateful. Again, I like that. "Propose Toast" is well played and produced, while still jaggedy and punked. Even more
cool - the drummer Addison Monroe is a Grand Junction native who attended Mesa State College. Sweet that he was able to overcome his background and reach for those pointy little stars.

I proclaim Cats + Jammers pure fun. Find "Propose Toast" and a few more CDs, which I'm sure will be just as irreverent and danceable, at ww.catsandjammers.net/. - Grand Junction Sentinel

Though Cats and Jammers never fail to collect reams of critical accolades, they remain hidden deep within the recesses of the underground. And that's a crying shame because they certainly deserve to be heard by a wider audience. A new Cats and Jammers album is slated to hit the shops this fall, but until that occurs, be sure to pick up a copy of "Propose Toast," which contains select cuts from past efforts, along with a pair of previously unreleased tracks. Motivated by a sheer love of the music, the band tears through their spunky songs as if their lives depended on it. Like The Kinks, The Seeds and The Ramones before them, Cats and Jammers aren't weighed down by excess baggage. Their sound is lean yet powerful. Pumping rhythms, coupled with a few basic chords result in tunes that are immediate, interesting and invigorating. Not only is the tenor playful, but the lyrics are embedded with humor. "People Are Stupid," "Good As Dead" and "White People Can't Dance" effectively capture the band's cynical nature. But you know they're simply kidding around and having loads of fun while doing so. "Follower," "Get Your Ya Ya's Out" and "Mannequin" are further winners included on "Propose Toast," as they bounce and bop with acres of catchy hooks that are impossible to ignore. Excellent, excellent, excellent.--Beverly Paterson, Twist and Shake - Twist And Shake

Chicago`s Cats * Jammers combines 60`s garage pop with frenetic 70`s skinny tie power pop and punk energy and 80`s indie new wave. The blends the sounds and spirit of a lot of very cool artists like early The Jam, The Knack, early Wire, LMNOP, Suicide Commandoes (bonus points if you know these guys, one of the great unheralded 70`s punk bands from the first wave), The Buzzcocks, They Might Be Giants and Firehose. Wacky? Unusual? Odd? Crucial? You friggin` bet on all counts and what`s more, it does not let up for one single second! - NOT LAME