The Flatliners

With The Great Awake, the Flatliners cut back on the ska and reggae and delve into straight-ahead punk rock anthems with a sound reminiscent of a more melodic Leatherface. The guitars possess a passing resemblance to Gainesville-style punk rock, while the back-up vocals have a near-youth crew appeal to them. This is the band’s debut for Fat, who distribute the record south of the border, and they’re the perfect addition for that label’s new direction. The record begins at full throttle, only letting up for the fourth track, the reggae-fuelled "This Respirator.” It’s difficult to name any standout track because all the songs can stand on their own and combine to create one hell of a good album.