MAXIMUMROCKNROLL #273
You know when a band you like puts out a record that so totally surpasses your expectations for them that it renders what they did before it almost moot point? That's kinda of how I feel about this PEDESTRIANS LP. I liked their demo and their debut 7" on Chicago's excellent Southkore label quite a bit, but his record- their first full-length- of dance- around-your-room, pump-your-fists-and-sing-along punk has left an impression on me that is sure to linger for quite a while beyond my time in this review room. Future Shock is pretty much mid-tempo throughout, but remains aggressive with punchy bass lines, memorable guitar parts, and smart lyrics. I don't have an immediate band reference point for them, but that's good right? I am happy to listen to punk rock that isn't content to paint by the numbers. Suffice it to say, this band plays driving punk rock that manages to sound both classic and totally fresh all at once- maybe it's their unique song writing sense that makes this one of the hands-down classics of 2005...

SLUG AND LETTUCE #86
There are those who argue that the resurgence of melodic mid tempo punk is killing the intensity of bands that 5 years ago would have been putting raging crust records in the distros. I love raging crust as much as the next guy, but there is no substitute for kick ass sing along chorus and a beat that I can shake my ass to, and Chicago's PEDESTRIANS fill that void as well as any band in the States (...I almost said North America, but that would leave out the Bayonettes, who are really really good). Never fast, and almost always delivered with a tune, these songs are driven by a solid, full guitar that slips into lead only occasionally, and held together by bass and drums that lay the foundation, like all rock and roll rhythm sections should, never fancy except for the brief moment when they need to shine. There are shamless nods here to the now defunct OBSERVERS- the tempo and feel of their records is very similar, and Jordan's vocals have the same snotty harch attack (there are times when he reminds me of "Feel the Darkness" era Jerry A singing for a slower, less aggressive band), and then I cannot shake the image of CITIZEN FISH playing some of these songs, though without the ska, of course. A noticeable difference from loads of other melodic revival acts (is that my own new sub genre?) is in the lyrics, as PEDESTRIANS assault 9 to 5ers (from the first person perspective, "this city breeds millions of me" from "Wire to Wire"), the violent life of the city, and the pervasive influence on our culture of convenience, making certain that their approach is decidedly PUNK, regardless of how much you might want to dance to while you listen. A leap above their already excellent single, this LP should certainly put PEDESTRIANS at the top of the pile...personally, I have yet to file this record, cause I can't stop listening to it....