The Psycho Kid

I’ve got to stop moving apartments. Once again I’ve lost the one sheet that came with “Hypocrite Land”, the new CD release by Chicago area trio The Psycho Kid. Thanks, however, to the modern miracle that is the Internets, I have their bio up online. Here’s the rundown: Glenn Brandt (vocals/guitar), Julia Zap (vocals/bass), Chris Morrow (vocals/drums)started in 2005, developing material for their next album, playing music, playing well, making people grit their teeth (not dentist friendly) and making people dance. I say these are all admirable goals, except maybe the teeth gritting part, but I am not a dentist, so I don’t really know. Ok, now that you know who the hell I’m talking about let me tell you a bit about the disc. 13 tracks of poppy punk rock with a good amount of crunch, not to say that the music is crunchy, but the instrumentation is very crisp, it’s snappy if you will. The vox have an interesting sort of talk-sing sort of thing going on with a decent amount of complimentary backups going on. Here is the weird thing though, I almost get the feeling that this disc was recorded at 78rpms and then down-shifted to 45 and then pitch corrected. I’m sure it wasn’t, but I get a weird impression that some of these songs want to be faster … ne, need to be faster. Perhaps I’m just impatient. I tell you what though, I like The Psycho Kid. They are a hard working 3-piece combo keeping the DIY spirit alive and well in Chicago. Rock on!

-Jerry Actually
- !upstarter Punk Reviews

Chicago, Illinois appears to be producing bands at a high rate. However, there is no cause for alarm, as the quality of the bands popping out of Illinois are certainly not lacking in the quality department. Alongside many other great bands, The Psycho Kid are determined to make themselves a force to be reckoned with in dive bars across the United States, and eventually, the world.

As much as punk rock has changed since the 1970's, any good punk band knows that simplicity is always key. The Psycho Kid have embraced this concept with open arms- the songs are short and sweet, with the full album clocking in at barely more than half an hour. The songs do not contain any earth-shattering material, but is a very honest, personal album for the band.

The songs, which are short and follow the loud, short and simple formula set by The Psycho Kid's punk predecessors, range in subject matter from the hypocrisy of the modern world ("Hypocrite Land") to hatred of the establishment ("The Psycho Kid") and, but tend to focus on the central theme of growing up. The lyrics talk about relationships, and living in a world where one is forced to work to survive, even if the job is deemed deplorable.

The band appear to have hit the point in life where they must question their motives and ambition. They appear to be trying to grow up, but retain a bit of the defiant behavior that most tend to exhibit at some point in time (seen especially in the song "Step Up," where the idea of independence clashes with the general need for money in order to survive).

While living in the modern world is both challenging and difficult at times, Hypocrite Land clearly defines the struggle for independence, and how to approach trying situations in life. You can defy conventions and question everything, or you can work an insignificant, boring job, and never stand up.

While the subject material and musicianship (this is pure punk rock, after all) of Hypocrite Land might not shake up the world or make everyone question their lives, it does approach many issues that arise as one enters adulthood and waves goodbye to adolescence. The band have written about their own transition through one part of life to the next, which makes the album more significant to younger listeners, who can easily relate and may find a little inspiration hidden in Hypocrite Land's obvious dislike of the rules of society.
- Canadian Punk Rock Examiner