Songs such as ‘Lori Ann’ and the forced raw sound of ‘Try Hate’ are nothing you haven’t heard before. ‘Broken By Boxing Day’ is at least an attempt at variation from their mid-paced melodic punk sound, with piano and female vocals creating an interesting and delicate song. Unfortunately, the rest is very similar. The duel male/female vocals are a nice idea but without memorable songs, Two Day Rule will have to vary their sound if they’re going to make a mark.
Ian Craddock
BIG CHEESE 2/5
TWO DAY RULE
‘AFTER DARK’
( Sugar Shack Records )
Two Day Rule have been kicking at the door for a few years now and could be feeling frustrated. But they don’t appear to let it hinder them. Their lack of pretentiousness is refreshing considering the amount of tediously shit bandwagon jumping bands that make it ‘big’ these days. If anything, they seem to have turned this into a positive thing, giving their songs bite. There’s still the often mentioned No Doubt vibe going on both in the vocals and backbone of many of their songs, but it’s far better and much
punkier. Their blurb states they are more Stiff Little Fingers than Green Day, which is true. But it’s ‘Get A Life’ and ‘Flags and Emblems’ era
SLF. Not only do they utilise this influence impressively, it’s given the extra twist of their duel gender vocals. It works.
Paul Raggity
ROCKSOUND 8/10
Two Day Rule
Been Around
Bristol's Two Day Rule boast a similarly exuberant punk rock pace and
doubly dynamic' two pronged boy-girl vocal assault to those
chart-bothering late 70s pogo-pit favourites the
Rezillos. Bringing their frame of
reference smartly up to date, Two Day Rule swap sixties sci-fi and
go-go boots for hook-heavy popcore and barbed-wire attitude SoCal
ska.
The
end result, exemplified on this six-track compendium of precision
harmonics, is a rough'n'ready domestic equivalent to Dance Hall Crashers.
It's hobbled, ever so slightly, by an unremarkable production job that occasionally
leaves the singer sounding like a cautious Fame Academy reject
struggling for the high notes. That said' the bare bones of a great band are here
- masterfully crafted material that oozes real promise. Just a pity that
- on this occasion - something crucial has been lost between thought and
expression....Maybe next time.
6/10
Ian Fortnam
Metal Hammer October 2003
Two Day Rule
Been Around
When I interviewed Two Day Rule a couple of years ago they were stoked at how fast things were moving. In fact there was
much talk about teetering on the verge of that final step to 'making it'.
The fact that hasn't happened is no reflection on them, it's just that the
two-faced bitch called the music business is an unfair and fickle
mistress. But in that time they've spread out a little. The No Doubt influence
is still here, but there's more to it now. I'm not gonna use those
hideous wanky journalist words 'matured', 'professionalism' or 'natural
progression' because they suck. Suffice to say Avril Lavigne could
score another chart hit by releasing any of these six songs, and if those
same kids hear Two Day Rule before that skater bubble bursts they'll
undoubtedly be pop stars too.
7/10 Paul Raggity
Rock Sound
October 2003
Two Day Rule
When You're Ready
Ever seen the film 'Swingers'? No? Well it's very funny and you
should. It's where Two Day Rule is explained too: if you get a girl's number,
leave it two days before you call her. Call sooner and you look eager and
uncool, leave it longer and you might lose your chance. Dating, the slings and
arrows of outrageous pop-punk teenage-dom: these are the subjects of
the songs on 'When You're Ready'. You probably wouldn't guess they were from Bristol when you hear the
power-punk sound of this Bristol four-piece. With obvious influences
from NOFX, The Atari's and Blink 182 among others, the twist is in the
two-pronged vocal assault from Neil Murray and Andrea Kenny. Bassist
Craig Smith and drummer Matt Woolman bring a solid and tight backbone to the
songs and are just as good at doing the high-octane pop-punk thing as
the ska thing. This is no weak record but it would be refreshing to hear
them define their own sound in a more home-grown vein (and no, I don't mean
trip-hop and decks). The melodic songs and sometimes funny angsty lyrics make for a good
listen but I definitely wouldn't pass up a chance to see this band live
judging from the pace and energy that the studio recordings still seem to
have. So, if you want to get sweaty in the pit and maybe lose your shoes, go see
them. I doubt you'd be disappointed.
Mental Music, Feb 2002
Two Day Rule
When You're Ready
Promising Bristol-based Punk
If only good melodic punk wasn't so inextricably linked with the
Californian way of life, then British bands might finally get a look
in on the world's stage. Young and full of spunk, Two Day Rule are having a
fair old stab at changing that - and good luck to them. With Neil Murray
and Andrea Kenny sharing boy-girl vocals, they competently leap from
driving punk to No Doubt-ish ska to calypso, while never sounding like a bad
joke. In 'Space' and 'Johnny and Loretta' they have the tunes to back up the
ambition, and they still sound British. A heavy slog of touring and receptive ears could well turn Two Day
Rule into true contenders.
Ben Myers, Kerrang KKK, 23/02/02
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