The American Dream

When one thinks of good, hard-driving street punk, these cities come to mind, London, New York, Philadelphia, and a couple others. One doesn’t tend to think of Beijing as a punk city. Beijing’s Brain Failure, with their style of anthemic, catchy punk rock, are hoping to change this, with their new album American Dreamer. It’s surprising to discover that their singer, Xiao Rong, went to one of the most elite schools in China and didn’t grew up as a gutter punk. His vocal style has influences of many singers, including Joe Strummer, Johnny Bonnel (Swingin’ Utters), and Jason Navarro (The Suicide Machines). The lyrics are catchy, whether it’s the ska-styled “Second Hand Pogo,” complete with gang vocals and “Oi” chants, or something more straight-up punk such as “Come Together.” Rong sings in English the whole time, keeping any culture shock to a minimum. Mark from the Unseen even makes a guest appearance on this album, lending some of his on vocals to “Played.”

The music is simple and danceable, perfect for circle pits, pogo-ing, or two-stepping. Each song is upbeat and short, their longest track clocking in at a little over 3 minutes. Brain Failure knows punk rock, and American Dreamer shows this time and again.

When Ken Casey of the Dropkick Murphy’s produces an up and coming band’s record, it goes to show that the album is going to be intense. Every track is a punk anthem, keeping things simple without making them boring or watered down. If you need a new album to chant and sing along with, American Dreamer will fit the spot perfectly.