Another of the recently released albums that’s been in near constant rotation around my house has been the latest from Oakland’s American Steel. The album, called Dear Friends And Gentle Hearts, sounds more like the band’s alter-ego Communique than anything else they’ve released as American Steel, and that’s a really good thing as I was never a fan of the pre-Communique version of American Steel. So, what you’ve got here on Dear Friends And Gentle Hearts is some really melodic and bouncy pop-punk that’s anchored down by great guitar leads and awesome vocal harmonies. This isn’t (however) bubblegum as there are oftentimes just traces of something a little darker and gothic tucked in behind the catchy-as-hell melodies. This is (yet another) great release from Fat Wreck Chords here in 2009. So, yeah, this is different than the “old” American Steel that many people loved, but dear Friends And Gentle Hearts is the band’s best record yet. RIYL: Communique, Alkaline Trio, Lookout! Records, etc…

MP3 | American Steel – Emergency House Party Dear Friends And Gentle Hearts
MP3 | American Steel – Your Ass Ain’t Laughing Now Dear Friends And Gentle Hearts