This was released in 1999 on Vegas Records, and it has 14 songs. Cost to me: Free. Pain is an odd sounding band: combining Nerd Rock, Rock, and Ska to make a very catchy sound. THe vocalist sounds like the guys from They Might Be Giants, various new wave singers, and 70’s rock singers. Pain sounds like a major label band, with an extremely rich and well produced sound. It’s odd to hear a band that sounds so clear in this age where distortion is king. Pain should be played on MTV, instead of stuff like Fuel, Harvey Danger, Eve 6, and Smash Mouth. They have a sound that draws heavily from the Mighty Mighty Bosstones, TMBG, Reel Big Rsh, Great Big Sea, and countless other bands. The trumpets are not hogging the spotlight, which is a common trap. Instead, all instruments are equally well played and given equal time. Pain doesn’t stick to the Bass/Guiatar/Drums form, opting for Acoustics, Piano, Accordians and Ukuleles. Pain is great sound upbeat music that will whip you into a frenzy only seen at a Bad Religion concert. Watch out for Pain soon, because they have the sound and talent needed to become very successful on a mainstream level.
Rating:8.5/10