Cherry Lane - 30 - Thinker Thought Records

Review by: Jennifer Perkins

I was impressed with Cherry Lane mainly because they hail from Washington, IL. Even though I am in Texas I know this city like the back of my hand, my dad is from there and my grandmother still calls the sticks between Washington and Morton home. There is a not a huge music scene there, nor in nearby Peoria. When I saw where Cherry Lane resides I automatically jumped to the conclusion that they would be on the pop-punk meets Emo wagon like every other band out of a small mid-west town. Sure, there a few Emo moments as well as pop punk ones, but there is a lot more to Cherry Lane and you would be hard pressed to fit them snugly into any one category.

Cherry Lane fluctuates between heavy metal, punk and some rough around the edges Indie rock. I would not be surprised to find Meteallica among their record collection. There are distinct metal guitar licks in almost every song on 30. I also wouldn't be shocked to see some Cap'n Jazz and Braid as well as some early Fugazi or even back when Ian was a tough guy, some Minor Threat. Cherry Lane writes abrasive yet endearing punk songs with the pop structure of the Get Up Kids and enough math rock starts and stops that would make Cursive take notes. Think these musical ingredients would meld like oil and water, a listen to 30 will make you think again.

Favorites on 30 include "Coins in the Fountain". This a catchy little number peppered with a plucky acoustic guitar which gives the whole thing an interesting and more original sound. Another gem is "Converse". The track starts off like it might be a slower more mellow heart felt number, but its not long until the metal meets old school punk guitar work kicks in. Not to mention this kids gruff hardcore style vocals. The lyrics might be on a downtrodden note about good-byes, but the pugnacious tone in the vocals say "Don't let the door hit ya in the ass on the way out".

I was initially impressed with Cherry Lane because I am familiar with their not very conducive to musical appreciation home. However, after several listens I would still be impressed if they were from Chicago or any other big city that was saturated with music. I thought the only good thing to come out of the whole Peoria area was my family and Davis Brothers Pizza, but Cherry Lane prove me wrong with 30.