I've read that Dischord is the UK's angriest band. Quite a claim indeed and one which the band does try to live up to, although I'm not entirely convinced it tops the pile in terms of irate bands. However, there is no denying that this Blackpool-based group are pissed off and credit must be given to them for producing a debut album that has snatches of influences from both sides of the Atlantic with the immediate ones that hit me on the first play being the Freeze and the Cowboy Killers.

If you've ever been to Blackpool then you might appreciate the opening track, "Seaside Suicide," which does its best to highlight the lows of living in a place that I found dour and depressing on my only visit. There are certainly some raw nerves that have been touched in order to get Dischord to sit down and write these songs and there is no easier target than your hometown sometimes.

Chris Wyrd's vocals do have a similarity to some of Cliff Hanger from the aforementioned the Freeze, but he also manages to sound undeniably snarling and British as well, almost Johnny Rotten-esque at times in fact. The songs on The Wakes do contain some melodic elements to hang onto and this ties in nicely with an energetic feel that the fast paced soundtrack generates.

"Lights, Camera, Satisfaction" has quite a warm fuzzed guitar sound that gives the whole song a sense of U.S. indie rock from the early '90s mixed in with a bouncy punk quality that is reminiscent of the likes of Mega City Four. "Music is Dead" is the band's attack on those that want to become famous within the music industry without having any discernible talent in that field–something that is becoming more and more prevalent these days with a host of talent(less) shows on television channels across the world.

The title track gives Wyrd the chance to really open up his vocal chords both in terms of a more melodic approach as well as some guttural screaming, and this is matched equally by the music going from relaxed to frenetic at the drop of a drum stick.

The Wakes is an intriguing release both musically and beyond, with some interesting artwork throughout the CD booklet. There are moments where I think that they've got a lot to offer and others when I'm just not hooked. Nonetheless, it's an album which offers promise and is good enough to garner some support within the punk community. The one unfortunate thing about this band is its name: every time I think of it or see it written down I think of one other renowned punk rock entity.