Punk rock is fueled by the rage of the people channeled through the voice of the artist. The past half decade has been a time of unprecedented change and conditions, none of which have gone unnoticed by Get Out. Their latest album, “The Violation of Terms And Conditions,” is a tribute to these changes and the way they have echoed throughout our society and our world. As a seasoned punk rock band founded in the 90’s, Get Out brings an authentic feel to the aesthetic from the top with “6 Feet Apart.”
The harsh, distorted guitar riffs instantly create a grungy mood that is given a crushing pulse by the drums. The bass creeps in behind these high-octane instrumentals to add a groovy undertone that will grab you if you can follow it. The vocals have a classic style aesthetic to them, indicative of the bands’ pedigree, with some in-your-face backups that add to the smashing beats that are spearheaded by the drums. Lines such as “lies and lies every single day and then you try to walk it back” found in the chorus and the backups hammering in lines such as “hypocritical disaster” illustrates the frustration perfectly, as does the breakdown around the 2 minute mark. This portion of the track does a great job of putting all of the rage on display with some crushing vocals and a descending guitar riff that gives it all a drilling feeling that one simply can’t ignore. “6 Feet Apart” is a hard-rocking intro track that unapologetically brings Get Out’s classic punk aesthetic and all the attitude it brings, making it the perfect way to start the album off.
“Florida Man” follows it up and flips the attitude of the album on its head. The rising distortion almost immediately gives way to face-melting guitar thrashing that’s impossible to not headbang to. This then gives way to a mellow groove led by the bass as the vocals come in to meet the new groove. Lyrically, the track is all about the ridiculous escapades of the exaggerated American in-joke, the “Florida Man.” Laugh-out-loud lines such as “he dresses in a ball costume while doused in pasta sauce, trying to burn down his ex-lover’s house” and “Florida Man arrested in a local park, practicing karate on swans” absolutely steal the spotlight during each listen. This isn’t to say the instrumentals take too much of a backseat, however, and excel in subtle excellence during these hilarious mellowed-out portions. The wavy bass grooves and the dreamy guitar plucks add the perfect atmosphere to the joke to make the punchlines hit with each listen. A great follow-up to the rage-filled “6 Feet Apart.”
“The Right Is Wrong” is another noteworthy track. The heavy, distorted shredding of the guitars thrives off the depth of the drums and bass. The beat feels like it winds up excellently during each chorus and feels like a release of tension each time it ends, until it leads into a head-banging guitar solo that rocks hard and continues the rage until the end of the track. The bass winds and descends while the guitar provides killer shredding riffs that you can’t help but headbang to, especially during those moments during the end of each chorus. All of these instrumental aesthetics, including the high-octane solo just after the 2 minute mark perfectly emphasizes the rage-filled lyrics. Lines such as “you can’t do things wrong without feeling our wrath” and “can’t be incompetent and hold onto your job” spit righteous venom at wrongdoings of the Trump administration and reflect on the events of the chaos that followed voter fraud panic. These lines hit hard, especially when taken in the context of that time. This makes the single status of “The Right Is Wrong” one that is clearly earned to anyone who gives it a listen.
“Remember” is a great pandemic cabin fever anthem. The rapid-fire drums and fiercely rhythmic riffs that feel like they lose pace with the bass at times, which is also firing on all cylinders. Lines such as “but we lived without an inkling that our lives could ever change. We took it all for granted every day” feel like punches to the gut after lines such as “do you remember watching movies? Do you remember when we sat around, complained about our loneliness and wondered what another day would bring?” It all combines to make “Remember” one of the more memorable tracks on the album because of its nostalgic feel and classic punk attitude.
“Dum It Down” is another stand-out track. Heavy, sludgy guitars feel right at home next to slammin’ drums. The transition to a fast-paced, pulse-pounding percussion and wild, rhythmic guitars is buttery smooth. The drums never lose command of the track, but the guitars steal the show with a ton of memorable licks and slick slides. The instrumentals ooze with style and attitude which makes “Dum It Down” impossible to skip and tough to not hit repeat for another listen. This isn’t even mentioning the witty lyrics that double down on the in-your-face attitude. Once you hear “life in half hour increments, then it’s time for somethin’ else. Supplemental placement of some products name,” that punch is unforgettable. After just one listen, the catchy chorus will be the earworm you hear in your head every time you see someone around you “Dum It Down.”
“The Violation Of Terms And Conditions” is an album that feels nostalgic. The reminiscence of woes during the height of the pandemic, the Trump presidency and the turmoil that follows is powerful and fuels the rage of the band on tracks such as “The Right Is Wrong.” Others such as “Bitchface” and “We’re The Opening Band” are much more personal and illustrate the angst that one felt during that time and may continue to feel today. Though some may find these themes dated in light of the events of today, “The Violation Of Terms And Conditions” is a must-listen for the modern punk fan and will likely have a few tracks that will make their way onto the playlist of any rock fan who gives it a listen.
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