In the late '70s and early '80s, it wasn't uncommon to find punk bands that were enamored of '50s and early '60s rock roll. The Clash covered the Bobby Fuller Four's I Fought the Law, and the Ramones were well aware of the contributions of pioneers like Chuck Berry, Buddy Holly, Little Richard, and Elvis Presley -- not to mention the girl groups, surf rockers and garage bands that emerged in the 1960s. Although Tiger Army wasn't formed until 1995, its work has recalled a time when punk bands showed their affection for early rock roll. Released in 1999, this self-titled debut album is full of rockabilly influences -- the material is aggressive punk, but aggressive punk that owes a lot to rockabilly. And that's ironic because the Generation X-ers who comprise Tiger Army are young enough to be Jerry Lee Lewis' grandchildren. No one can accuse this band of lacking a sense of humor; many of the lyrics are funny in an irreverent, twisted sort of way. One of the things that Tiger Army finds amusing is the supernatural; Devil Girl, Trance, and Werecat (which is about a frightening beast that's half man and half cat) give the impression that singer Nick 13 (who wrote most of the songs) has spent a lot of time watching campy 1950s horror movies. Meanwhile, Tiger Army has some fun with country/Western themes on Outlaw Heart, which uses a pedal steel guitar and almost sounds like a combination of punk and Marty Robbins. Tiger Army's first album falls short of remarkable, but the tunes are generally fun and catchy -- and Nick 13's irreverent sense of humor is a definite plus. ~ Alex Henderson, Rovi

1		Prelude: Nightfall
2		Nocturnal
3		Fog Surrounds
4		True Romance
5		Devil Girl
6		Never Die
7		Moonlite Dreams
8		Trance
9		Twenty Flight Rock
10		WereCat
11		Outlaw Heart
12		Neobamboom
13		Last Night