I just can’t get behind the “Americana-meets-punk-rock” thing. It’s such an unexciting aesthetic and sound that it bores me to tears. There are rare exceptions (I actually really dug the Loved Ones’ first couple of records, and I guess they’re of that ilk) but man… I dunno. I love Springsteen as much as the next cat, and Mellencamp’s swell, and Petty’s a cool dude, but toss in a hearty helping of already-infuriating Social D worship and you’ve got a recipe for complete forgettability. Really, really not my thing at all.
–Dave William (Paper & Plastick, paperandplastick.com)