It was easy to take shots at Audio Karate after the release of “Space Camp” a few years back.  It had its moments but for the most part was your typical mundane pop-punk record that did nothing to standout in the herd of really bad bands.  I don’t know what has happened over the past couple of years.  You hear it all the time: a band grows up, evolves, matures, whatever, but in this case it isn’t so much an evolvement as it a complete transformation. 

“Lady Melody” commands the listener to recognize the vital change from the start of record with the blazing “Jesus Is Alive and Well (and Living In Mexico).”  Not since Jawbreaker have I heard such a great combination of pop-punk meets gritty independent rock and it is about time someone got it right.  Albeit this is not “24 Hour Revenge Therapy” but it is not supposed to be because Audio Karate have taken their influences and created a sound to call their own. 

“Hey Maria” changes the pace of the record using clean picking parts on the verses before going into the distorted guitar parts and the rough vocals of Art Barrios. The energy of “Lady Melody” goes back into full force with “Ms. Foreign Friendly” and “A Whole Lotta Weight” but its tracks like “Catch and Release” and the title track that catch the listener by surprise. 

The guitar work is worlds apart from their previous material.  Too often bands with two guitarists still sound simplistic and boring playing the same thing, which defeats the purpose.  Bill Stevenson and the Blasting Room crew have once again worked their magic and the production is flawless.

One complaint with “Lady Melody” is the vocals.  The rough-cut throat approach works really well at times but forty minutes of it can get dull.  You see Barrios opt to sing more towards the end of the record in songs like “Get What You Deserve Inc.” and he sounds really good.

“Lady Melody” could pivot Audio Karate into the limelight and on to the radio considering the current state of affairs this would be a really good thing. If you dismissed AK after “Space Camp” then I suggest you go pick up “Lady Melody” and be prepared to change your mind.