In Rotation: The Damn Tracks - Second City Is Burning

Chicago punk rock and roll trio The Damn Tracks follow up last year's second self-titled album with a walloping collection of 22 new songs. Where The Damn Tracks II was a concise document with a clearly defined arc, Second City Is Burning is more of a kitchen sink style release. Short, melodic singalongs pervade the album. The band's classic rock and roll sound with a punk underpinning charges through. The vocals gleefully lead the music, even when the subject is serious. It's upbeat, it's fun listening and the lyrics mean something. That's a combination I'll never take for granted.

"High" kicks the album off with a rollicking rhythm and catchy chorus. "Shoes of Gold" features one of those grim lines you might end up singing along to anyway: "We could end up nothing but a dead friend". As much as the band leans into a reliably fast pace, the few slower moments are really strong. "Saint Lawrence" opens its story with a deliberate drawl. It's a memorable indictment that leads into a song about a snake who ran out of chances. "Hello Tuesday" is probably the fastest and best song on here, about trying to outrun death in a rigged race.

Second City Is Burning is out now. Stream it below or at The Damn Tracks' Bandcamp page. Catch The Damn Tracks live at Liar's Club on Friday with The Braver Days, Fall Risk, Beat the Smart Kids and Throwaway Heroes. More info on that show here.