The Ergs - Dork Rock Cork Rod

Drawing comparisons to early Green Day, the Replacements, and the Descendents, the Ergs are obviously gonna be playing goofy pop-punk, and that's an easy way to pigeonhole the band. But then you would be overlooking all the other amazing influences the band cites in their bio (as well as in their sound)--Elvis Costello, the Minutemen, Black Flag, etc. Dork Rock Cork Rod showcases the Ergs' glistening capabilities to pen infectious song after infectious song without any signs of letting up. Bouncy verses with sing-along choruses blanket the record, with each member playing to the height of their potential. Fans of Lookout! Records should be loving this, but the Ergs effortlessly blend that style of pop-punk with power-pop, jazz, and rock & roll so much that any classification would be unfair. Songs like "A Very Pretty Song for a Very Special Young Lady Part 2," "Rod Argent," and "Running, Jumping, Standing Still" (and pretty much the entire album) are standard "girls, love and life" numbers, but the band, thankfully, rises far above any radio counterparts by sparing us the faux hearbroken close-to-tears vocals and keeping the fun intact. Dork Rock Cork Rod ends up being an excellent record, catering to a crowd spanning the spectrum of nerdiness, from lighthearted to heartbroken, and back again. [www.whoaohrecords.com]