The Cops
Get Good or Stay Bad
Mt. Fuji Records

The Cops’ debut full length, Get Good or Stay Bad, is a good time rock and roll album that is firmly planted in the classic punk sound that was made familiar by bands like The Clash and the Buzzcocks. Their press sheet suggests further comparison to British post-punk group Gang of Four, which is vaguely recognizable, but the Seattle four piece’s sharp guitars and sing-along choruses have more in common with the first two aforementioned acts. A few listens to stand out tracks like Don’t Take It Personal Dave, Controller, and Invisible City and it’s very understandable why the band has received quite a positive buzz in the past year. With their apt musicianship and Mike Jaworski’s classic vocal style, The Cops provide an enjoyable package for the listener. Also those with interest in politically conscious lyrics will be happy to find much of them on Get Good or Stay Bad’s liner notes; Jaworski, quite obviously, cites the war and past election as sub-conscious influences during the songwriting process for the record. Regardless of political stance, the songs shine brightly. In the end while it could have been easy for the band to start and end with Clash cover songs, Get Good or Stay Bad’s personality helps make a valid argument for the record’s existence and re-assert the fact that the Cops are in fact their own band.  A strong recommendation for fans of any of the aforementioned bands.

MP3
Invisible City
Controller
Negative Cutting

Website
The Cops website