Not a bad mini-LP from
Pinhead Gunpowder -- same energetic, street-smart pop-punk, same dual vocals by Bill Schneider (
Monsula) and
Billie Joe Armstrong (
Green Day). But in comparison to their CD compilation
Jump Salty,
Armstrong seems to be taking over more microphone duties, making this project sound more like his better-known other band. That, and
Carry the Banner just isn't quite as catchy as their previous releases. Not saying that this is a bad record at all; their cover of
Diana Ross' "Mahogany" is great, and besides, the idea for this project is just to have fun rather than to please the most jaded rock critics. If every band out there had a mentality like these guys do, then the world of rock & roll would be a better place. ~ Mike DaRonco