Album Review: "Emergency Breakthrough" by Rough Church (8/10)

Label: Nocturnal Sol

Producers: Joel Jerome, Andrew Bush, Manny Nieto and Marc Doten

Back before cell phones and the like, an “emergency breakthrough” was when an operator would interrupt a phone call to convey an urgent message. And that’s the case here with this outfit. Their message is diversity and busting musical barriers. Band members have supported H.E.R., Beastie Boys and Ozomati so it’s easy to hear their eclectic approach. “Song for Mom” and “Raging Nation” have timely and quirky punk elements. There’s a cool cover of Johnny Thunders’ “ You Can’t Put Your Arms Around a Memory” and “Christmas in Our Car” could become an alternative holiday classic.