Review: Living With Lions

With the ever expanding roster of Black Box Music, the newly co-branded Black Box Recordings and their artist management endeavor, it seems the label has really picked up steam since its launch five years ago. They have picked up one solid artist after another and have allowed them to showcase their talents without the glass ceiling of being signed to a major label. Their latest release comes from Vancouver natives Living With Lions, who follow up 2007's "Dude Manor EP" with their first full length album "Make Your Mark."

The record opens up with a punch to the face. "She's A Hack" picks up where Dude Manor left off and shows us the Lions haven't lost their catchy punk rock touch. I immediately connected with this track on a personal level and it would just be the start of songs that almost made too much sense to me.

"Wrong Place, Right Time" keeps us moving along with a nice bass line verse and a sing-along chorus and "A Bottle Of Charades" isn't much different. I can just imagine a sea of kids screaming "Hey Yeah! Hey Yeah!" at the top of their lungs and bringing the band and fans together like only the live experience can.

The fourth track, "Granny Steps", hits hard with it's lyrics: 'Downtown is barely breathing. Downtown is alive and barely holding on.' As someone who has just moved from the suburbs of Oakville, Ontario to the city of Toronto, this song rang pretty true. Which opened me up nicely for "My Dilemma", a fast-paced track reminiscent of punk rock legends Lifetime. The drums and guitars are full of energy that keeps building and building until the 1 minute and 50 second mark, where the band calms it down just to start building it up again. This is almost two songs in one, but both halfs work tremendously together.

Tracks six through eight are probably my favourites on the album. Starting with "Cold Coffee", the boys keep the music rocking but throw out lyrics that pretty much any guy can relate to. In regards to relationships, especially complicated ones, this song seems to describe every mixed-up-unspoken-feelings one could possibly have. "Hotel: Part Seven" is a great follow up to this and the music really gets you moving. It's like when you finally begin to realize that you're going to be okay and things are working out for the best, this track really focuses your energy to moving on and growing up.

"Coolin' With Costa" is one of those great songs for the road. If you've ever been in a band, especially a touring one, this track is for you. The second verse has the line: 'We don't know where we are, but that's how we got this far.' That describes every band I've ever been in. But this song isn't just about playing gigs, it's about a camaraderie; a connection with friends and how you live your life. It's about what makes you happy and the shit you'll put yourself through because when push comes to shove, it's all fucking worth it.

The song before the finale is "Park It Out Back" which will no doubt be a fan favourite at shows. The chorus is specifically designed to be sung by the audience, in fact, at about 2:25, the vocals are produced to sound like a crowd belting out the lyrics. Another great punk rock track with a solid baseline carrying us through.

Finally, the album comes to a close with "Dude Manor" which is named after Living With Lions house in Vancouver. This is where the boys moved in and came together as a band and you can tell the house represents something special to the guys. Ultimately, it represents something special for anyone who digs this album, because without Dude Manor, who knows if the Lions would have gotten together at all. And what a shame that would be.

Living With Lions brings some credibility and energy back into punk rock with "Make Your Mark." From start to finish, the album has my head banging and body jumping. I can tell already that I've found my summer CD for 2008 and I couldn't be happier with it. Check out their MySpace at myspace.com/livingwithlions and if you like what you hear, go grab a copy of the CD in stores or on iTunes.

Or better yet, grab a copy off the band if they come to your area. They are about to embark on a tour with A Wilhelm Scream and I am already salivating at the opportunity to see two of punk rocks most promising young bands rip up the stage together.