Synthetic Elements – Thrashed Out Paradise – Review

Release Date: May 5th, 2009
Record Label: Filthy Beast Records
Genre: Punk/Ska

It’s not every day you can sit down and check out a “punk ska folk” band. One or two of those combinations sure, but all three? Once in a blue moon for sure. Nevertheless you can call the band Synthetic Elements a lot of things, but at the top of the list is, tirelessly hard workers. Working the punk/ska underground they have played hundreds of shows and even released 4 DIY independent albums. Well that is at least until their Filthy Beast Record’s debut, “Thrashed Out Paradise.” This group of five has shared the stage with bands the likes of Mustard Plug, Maxeen, and Big D And The Kids Table, so counting them out early wouldn’t be the wisest things to do.

Even with the backing of a label, “Thrashed Out Paradise” still hasn’t kicked that garage ska band persona, but truthfully an overproduced punk band is kind of an oxymoron, so it’s better that they didn’t screw around with production. That being said, Synthetic Elements finds a nice balance of old school punk with its long list of agendas and modern punk with its angst-filled jumpy tracks. The band’s lyrics read like a simple story-tale, from start to finish with words repeated in anthem fashion while words with more than 1 or 2 syllables are kept to a minimum.

I did however enjoy the clear contrast between each of the genres Synthetic Elements chooses to explore, from the Rancid-like punk songs, to the Reel Big Fish-like ska tracks, and even the acoustic heartfelt outings. (ala Falling Away). For fans of either of those styles, “Thrashed Out Paradise” can fulfill whatever itch you need scratched, but don’t expect it to be the most exciting music out there. It is on par with most acts out there in terms of song likability, storytelling, catchiness, etc. Even Todd’s vocals are the standard scratchy throat-abundant singing, found in about 75% of all punk bands.

It is what Synthetic Elements has combined and made different that has me smiling while listening to the record. The symbiotic relationship that each of the 3 genres share while playing through make for an enjoyable mixing pot of music. And in the end, “Thrashed Out Paradise” feels like a few dudes making music for themselves and their fans for the sole purpose of having fun and sharing their selective views. I guess “punk ska folk” is made that way. ~Staff

Score: 3/5

Track Listing:
1. How Far
2. Something Worth Fighting For
3. Evelene
4. Falling Away
5. Trashed Out Paradise
6. Dancin’ Time
7. They’ll Never Understand
8. Wooly Bully
9. The Fire
10. Life Will Fade Away