F-Units

New York’s F-Units sound like they grew up in a nursery that pumped them full of nothing but 90’s alternative rock radio. They’re sound is heavily influenced by the sounds of Soundgarden, Green Day and Caroline’s Spine.

The tracks are catchy fast-paced rock and roll with guitar solos around just about every corner. Sprinkled throughout are offshoot instruments like a violin here, a trumpet there, that add another layer to an overall solid track. What stands out to me the most is how
much the F-Units rock. A band like them would be a welcome breath of fresh air into the very stale rock airwaves. Their driving drums, flesh melting string shredding and well produced tunes could slap Dave Grohl in the face and bring him back into the world of
rock.

F-Units are not only impressive musically but are completely DIY. Every aspect of “Alone In Babylon” was produced, designed, advertised by the band themselves and, for the quality of the final product, is very impressive.

“Alone In Babylon” is a sound that has been missing in the rock scene for a seemingly long time. It definitely invokes 1994 in all of the right ways (that means no R.E.M.) without trying to hard to mimic any particular band. F-Units’ sound is definitely their own and I sure as hell enjoy it.

Bottom Line: A solid hard rock album from start to finish.
Notable Tracks: Black California, Alone In Babylon, Rebel Songs, You’re Just A Tease
Overall Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars - Readjunk.com

The reason that hipster journalists tend to decry modern radio rock is that it really is boring, but there’s a bit more too it than that. Sure, they all share an intrinsic desire to be on the cusp of any and every possible new trend or idea that comes down the pipe, but for all of their love of hip-hop and off-the-map indie acts, most of them really do want to rock. Look at what happens when any decent punk-fueled or beer-swilling bar rock act dredges up the specter of Springsteen, Fugazi, Bad Brains, The Ramones, or Velvet Underground – everyone pees themselves copiously and forgets about whatever rape-gaze bullshit has been trendy for the past few minutes.

It’s in this light that I embrace the music of F-Units on its sophomore record, Alone In Babylon. In terms of style and spirit, we’ve heard this all before: the quartet borrows copiously from American Idiot-era Green Day (who cribbed diligently from The Who) and then ingests heavy doses off The Gaslight Anthem and The Hold Steady (both of whom love anything related to Springsteen). Punk-ish fervor and working-class perspectives saturate this twelve-song project, and the band makes no apologies for pissing on the poseurs and lamewads in the music scene that they find especially irritating. Moreover, the guys openly cop to their desire to embrace older, classic rock music tropes, especially in a culture that only wants the newest stuff possible (and warms up to the older stuff solely in an ironic fashion).

The production on this album is superb, as the vocals and instruments are balanced, on point, bright, and loud in the best possible way (without ever sounding too slick or polished). Scott Bellina really does sound like the long-lost kid brother of Billie Joe Armstrong, the rhythm section is sturdy and thick, and the guitars have this great crunch that comes through in both the lead sections and the chug of the power chord progressions.

Like I said before, there isn’t really anything special or fancy here, but that’s OK, since there are ample opportunities to raise my fist into the air in solidarity with my fellow rock aficionados. Things do delve into a bit of generic hard rock sameness in the third quarter, with “Mockstar,” “When It Snows In April,” and “So Incognito,” but the flurry of pop hooks and driving rock energy on cuts like “Alone In Babylon,” “Lipstick Traces,” and “Desperation Road” save Alone In Babylon as a whole. For those of you who enjoy a bit of vintage rock bombast with your punk music, the sort that could fill both clubs and arenas, then you should really dig what you hear from F-Units. - Dryvetyme Onlyne

The sophomore release of New York’s own F-Units is one for the masses as it is as slick and shiny as they come. “Alone in Babylon” showcases this bands talent for writing catchy songs that are radio friendly yet still strikingly deep and full of life. One might think that lead vocalist Scott Bellina is a long lost brother of Green Day’s Billy Joe Armstrong as their melody enriched vocal stylings are incredibly similar and present on every track where big sing along accompany every rhythm.

Unlike an ordinary rock record, “Alone in Babylon” has it all musically with frequent use of outside instrument’s like violin, harmonica, piano and trumpet, which gives quite and atmospheric sound to the record. Think of a musical marriage between Green Day (edgy pop rock) and the Briggs and you may just find the F-Units sound. What may come as a surprise to all is that this project was completely DIY and self supported by the band themselves, with no major label help this record is truly a masterpiece and accomplishment in itself. It’s a clear demonstration that if no one is going to do it for you, you’re just as capable for doing it on your own, your own way. If this album doesn’t help propel the F-Units into rock stardom and a full time touring cycle in support of, then it is likely nothing will, this is clearly this bands lucky star.

Standout Tracks are “Alone in Babylon”, “Lipstick Traces” and “Rebel Songs”. Be on the lookout! The F-Units are on the rise. - Big Wheel Magazine

F-Units - Reject On Impact
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Hailing from Manhattan's lower east side, the F-Units sounds like a bloody back alley brawl between East and West coast influences of punk rock. You can throw the Ramones, Dead Kennedys and Social D into the melee, creating totally in your face music that is far more brash than anything today’s punk posers are creating. These boys carry their roots like a leather clad, razor slashed, beer soaked badge of honor, and it works to great effect. - www.serge.org

When I saw that the band was called the F-Units, I was expecting some hard punk stuff in the verins of F-Minus or the F-Ups. This is not what is present on “Reject on Impact”, as the F-Units play a brand of rock that is lightly tinged by punk rock. This does not mean that what the F-Units plays is not interesting, but individuals should understand that this style of music is present instead of what seems like would be on there. Each of the tracks occupies a space in popular music that has not been covered very often. While “Dying To Forget” is a track that recalls early Green Day, many of the songs reside in a negative zone between punk and rock and do not comfortably fit in either domain. All of the songs are catchy, and the F-Units are one of the few acts that are able to come up with their own sound at such an early point in their careers.

While a number of the tracks are fun to listen to, F-Units really start to shine during “Nowhere Fast”. The sound is full, while there are a number of layers present that will take individuals a decent amount of time to properly decipher. The F-Units will be able to make big in the music industry soon, especially considering that the band is able to take hints of other famous acts (Reel Big Fish during “Hypocrite”, and Green Day a number of other times) and place them alongside their own sound to boost themselves into the stratosphere.

I would say that the F-Units need to insert a little more of themselves into their music, but even with this super-polished sound, the band places the entirety of their soul into each and every track on this disc. The disc is bouncy from beginning to end, and while the band touches upon so many different acts, they always come forth with a style that is only their own. Kudos to them on that, and I fully expect the F-Units to be played on national media in a few short months, after news of this album hits the individuals that it needs to hit. The band does not have any rough or annoying parts to them that need to be changed; it is a rare thing to say that about a band, but it is completely and utterly true.

Top Tracks: Still Want You, Dying To Forget

Rating: 7.1/10

Reviewed 27 August 2006

[JMcQ] - www.neufutur.com

I'm gaining a deeper respect everyday for bands like this that still do things themselves instead of looking for that perfect Indie Label to put out their music. I still like what the Idependent Labels are doing, but when you have passion about your music and get it out there anyway you can leads me to a higher level of respect for the DIY guys. This is a debut CD from this band that seems like the begining of more to come. F-UNITS play modern Pop Punk that at times is a little to POPPY for my taste but have done a excellent job with every aspect of getting their name out there. It's radio friendly/great production shows throughout this CD and lets me know that these guys mean business. Take the time to check this band out.....you just might like them.
--Dave Fishwick - www.theneussubjex.com

Rating 3.5 (out of 5)

F-Units' CD has some definite pluses. The music is catchy and the lyrics are interesting. If I had to classify it, I'd call this a pretty well done punk/emo rock CD. This is the kind of CD that you'd have cranked up in the car or on the CD player, and when it's cranked up you get the feeling you're listening to them live... I was just missing the wild crowd of dancers. If punk is your thing, F-Units has potential.

Production - 3.0 (out of 5)
Lyrics - 4.0
Music - 4.0
Vocals - 3.0
Musicianship - 3.5 - Unsigned Music Magazine

What Is It?

Reject On Impact is the debut album of NYC based punk rock outfit the F-Units. It features ten high energy tracks with no relent in the pace as the album continues.

The first track "Fat Lip" is probably the weakest on the record, which is by no means a terrible thing: most punk bands would be thrilled to put out a track as good as this. However, the band waste no time in increasing the quality on the CD, with the second track Solitude raising the bar substantially and the group never look back on a thirty minute punk rock journey.

The Sound: What To Expect

To give you an idea of what the band sounds like, they have the power pop precision of Green Day mixed with the raw edge of the likes of Black Flag. Scotty B, the lead singer/rhythm guitarist does have a very similar voice to Billie Joe Armstrong, and 'Hypocrite', the seventh track could in all honesty be on a Green Day album and no one would notice the difference. However, the three piece show their variety with tracks such as 'Nowhere Fast' and 'In The Dark' which highlight the fact that they could quite possibly be the next big thing in punk rock, as they have enough ability to appeal to all ends of the punk rock market.

The lyrics of the songs are clever and catchy. 'Lost In Space' could be a stadium anthem in a few years time, and 'Still Want You' is another song that just won't get out of your head after you've listened to it.

The guitar work as demonstrated by Greg Hoy is also excellent. There are admittedly no two minute long solos or overly difficult riffs exhibited by the guitarist, but the snarling, raw guitar fits the mood and genre of the band perfectly. The drumming is consistent and holds the record together.

The album is recorded very well as well, and the band have even been adventurous and added brass instruments into 'Hypocrite'.

So, Should I Really Buy This Album?

Right now you are probably thinking that this review of the album is being a tad optimistic and is exaggerating the good points. However, finding negatives with this album is very difficult as it is smoothly recorded, and there is something on it for everyone: whether you want to sing along with it or mosh to it at a punk party.

If one nitpicked though, it could be argued that the album is a little short and thirty four and a half minutes and maybe the band should have bulked the CD out with other songs. However, to shamelessly quote Sum 41, a CD should be "All Killer No Filler" and the F-Units manage to achieve this.

Whether they can go on and become the next Green Day only time will tell, but in my humble opinion, they have all of the tools necessary to achieve that fame. The mixture of the snarling guitar with the catchy, poppy choruses is truly sublime, and I would implore any reader to go and pick this album up or download it off iTunes or CDbaby.

Rating: 9.0/10 - Quite possible the start of something special in punk rock.

Read more: http://hardcore-punk.suite101.com/article.cfm/funits_reject_on_impact_cd_review - Dean Parr - Suite101.com

Bouncy pogo punk that the kids’ll love cos’ it will remind them of Social Distortion. And while it’s their debut record they don’t look like kids. Good melodies, good harmonies and decent songs too. (www.f-units.com ) - www.indiepages.com; Dagger - Short Review

Green Day for punks that dig old school punk. Actually, this is Green Day for punks that dig Green Day as well. These guys pack a big league punch. Check out songs like “Fat Lip”, “Solitude”, “Alpha East Side”, “Hypocrite” and “In The Dark” to see exactly what I mean. They may sound a lot like Green Day but you’ll also hear everything from the Sex Pistols to Kiss in the mix. Tight, hard-hitting rock ‘n’ roll is basicly what we’re talking about here. So, if you can get into that, here’s your fix.
Rating:
3 and 1/2 (out of 5)
Review by J.R. Oliver - www.earcandymag.com

It has been a long time since a pop-punk band has come into existence and truly excited me. For the most part, the genre has gotten so old, stale and commercialized that there is just nothing to grab you and get you keyed up and dancing around. Then I popped F-Units' "Reject on Impact" into my CD player, and that all changed.

F-Units are just a really fun band to listen to. There isn’t really anything new or distinctive about them -- they are just really fun to listen to. It’s hard to describe their general sound without sounding cliché, but it is similar to a hybrid of Green Day and the Dead Kennedys -- an odd mixture of old and new, to be sure, but definitely a cool combination of two time periods to create something that is not stale. It's hard to not be excited when listening to F-Units Reject on Impact. It is energetic balls-to-the-wall punk with catchy hooks and slick production quality. They have a definitive sound, which prevails throughout the CD, but never gets stale. The highest point on Reject on Impact is the song “Lost in Space”. This song has hook after hook and just gets you amped up and singing along. It is a bit slower than some of the other tracks on this album, but it’s just so unbelievably catchy.

While F-Units’ sound is not unique in and of itself, they are just a really fun band to listen to. And isn’t that what music is really all about, when it all boils down? Just playing what you love and entertaining? F-Units do this really well, and Reject on Impact would be excellent for a few, if not many, listens.

-Andrea Caruso
- IndependentClauses.com

It has been a long time since a pop-punk band has come into existence and truly excited me. For the most part, the genre has gotten so old, stale and commercialized that there is just nothing to grab you and get you keyed up and dancing around. Then I popped F-Units' "Reject on Impact" into my CD player, and that all changed.

F-Units are just a really fun band to listen to. There isn’t really anything new or distinctive about them -- they are just really fun to listen to. It’s hard to describe their general sound without sounding cliché, but it is similar to a hybrid of Green Day and the Dead Kennedys -- an odd mixture of old and new, to be sure, but definitely a cool combination of two time periods to create something that is not stale. It's hard to not be excited when listening to F-Units Reject on Impact. It is energetic balls-to-the-wall punk with catchy hooks and slick production quality. They have a definitive sound, which prevails throughout the CD, but never gets stale. The highest point on Reject on Impact is the song “Lost in Space”. This song has hook after hook and just gets you amped up and singing along. It is a bit slower than some of the other tracks on this album, but it’s just so unbelievably catchy.

While F-Units’ sound is not unique in and of itself, they are just a really fun band to listen to. And isn’t that what music is really all about, when it all boils down? Just playing what you love and entertaining? F-Units do this really well, and Reject on Impact would be excellent for a few, if not many, listens.

-Andrea Caruso
- IndependentClauses.com

“Reject On Impact” comes from the F-UNITS - Powerful songs full of edgy bits, monster riffs and vocal mischief – these boys are well into the red. Driving rock that rises to the occasion, check them out and tell ‘em the Waste sent ya. - New York Waste Magazine

On their debut full-length release, New York City’s F-Units are a clear reflection of their modern punk influences. From Green Day to The Living End, F-Units have put their own personal stamp on the sounds of chunky, thrashing guitars, strong melodic vocals and bouncy rock. Putting it all together, the F-Units are just rough enough to be considered a contemporary punk rock band.

Upbeat rock carries listeners away on “Still Want You” with a clean, crisp sound while “Fat Lip” bounds by with a familiar and comfortably rough edge. Quick pounding rock sends “Dying To Forget” and the horn accented quickie “Hypocrite” into a mosh pit-like frenzy. With a hint of a Johnny Rotten-like sneer, “Solitude” is a straight forward rock track with attitude. On “Nowhere Fast,” the F-Units go for a darker sound as guitars grind and vocalist Scotty B adds a soaring melodic chorus before the band offer “Lost In Space,” an electrified power ballad.

For fans of modern punk that avoids sounding too much like manufactured pop, F-Units will likely be a real winner. While “Reject on Impact” is full of familiar moments, it is a fun and entertaining ride that is sure to keep your attention. The F-Units make their first impression count with “Reject on Impact” with catchy tracks that draw you in. - pluginmusic.com

“Reject On Impact” comes from the F-UNITS - Powerful songs full of edgy bits, monster riffs and vocal mischief – these boys are well into the red. Driving rock that rises to the occasion, check them out and tell ‘em the Waste sent ya. - New York Waste Magazine