Secular End
Bonus tracks
Reviewed by Greg Beets, Fri., Jan. 27, 2006
Secular End
Revenge of the Phoenix (Cellar Door)
Phoenix transplants Secular End poke and prod at pop-punk's cathartic essence from a variety of angles on their debut. The catchy "Machines Are Slowly Taking Over My Pulse" adds a New Wave quirk to the mix, "Hey Judas" proffers a Black Francis sneer, and "Make Believe" takes an ill-advised stab at rap metal. Even though the tangent swapping doesn't always yield distinguished results, a scrappy energy pervades throughout.
*Oops! The following correction ran in the February 3, 2006 issue: Last week's "Bonus Tracks" review of Secular End's Revenge of the Phoenix concluded with a one-star assessment. The disc had actually been assigned two stars.
