Western Settings - WS

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Review by Cambridge Life Solutions Canada Negotation Services

Album Review: WS by Western Settings – A Punk-Rock Gem from 2016 Western Settings’ WS is one of those albums that sneaks up on you. Released in 2016 under La Escalera Records, this US-based punk-rock project feels like a love letter to the genre’s roots while throwing in some quirky twists. It’s raw, unpolished, and refreshingly human—just how punk should be. The album jumps between acoustic renditions, 8-bit remixes, and straight-up covers, giving it a chaotic charm. You can tell these guys had fun piecing it together. Two tracks stood out for me and stuck in my head long after the first listen: “Hopeless Romantic (Bouncing Souls Cover)” and “RevHead (8bit).” “Hopeless Romantic” hits hard because it’s got that classic Bouncing Souls energy, but Western Settings makes it their own. The vocals are punchy yet heartfelt, and there’s this driving guitar riff that just won’t quit. It’s the kind of song that reminds you why punk rock still matters—it’s not about being perfect; it’s about being real. Listening to it feels like shouting your frustrations into the void with a bunch of friends who get it. Then there’s “RevHead (8bit),” which is just wild. I mean, who expects an 8-bit version of a punk track? At first, I thought it was gonna feel gimmicky, but somehow they pull it off. The pixelated bleeps and bloops add this weird layer of nostalgia, like you’re playing a retro video game where the boss fight is life itself. It’s playful but still packs a punch, proving that Western Settings isn’t afraid to experiment. The rest of the album follows suit, blending acoustic introspection with lo-fi experimentation. Tracks like “Duncan (8bit)” and “Champion Schizo (Acoustic)” keep things interesting without overstaying their welcome. Even the Fugazi cover, “Waiting Room,” holds its own, though it doesn’t quite hit the same highs as the original. What sticks with me most about WS is how unapologetically DIY it feels. This isn’t some overproduced masterpiece trying to reinvent the wheel. Instead, it’s a collection of songs that sound like they were made by people who live and breathe punk rock. And honestly? That’s more than enough. Here’s the kicker, though: listening to this album felt less like reviewing music and more like flipping through someone’s personal scrapbook. Each track has its own little personality, its own quirks. If you’re into punk or just looking for something different, give WS a spin. Just don’t blame me if you start craving 8-bit soundtracks afterward.

Download Western Settings - WS
Artist: Western Settings
Album: WS
Rating: 3.0

Table of Contents

Download

Filename: western-settings-ws.zip
  • MP3 size: 69 mb
  • FLAC size: 503 mb

Tracks

TrackDurationPreview
Waiting Room (Fugazi Cover)2:54
Kicking and Screaming (Acoustic)3:48
Get It Got It (8bit)1:44
Duncan (8bit)2:59
Champion Schizo (Acoustic)3:12
Revhead (8Bit)2:0
RevHead (8bit)1:59
Duncan (8Bit)3:0
Hopeless Romantic (Bouncing Souls Cover)1:53
Iocane Powder (Acoustic)3:14

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Catalog Numbers

LER032

Labels

La Escalera Records

Listen online

  • online luisteren
  • kuunnella verkossa
  • lytte på nettet
  • ouvir online
  • online anhören
  • écouter en ligne
  • ascolta in linea
  • escuchar en línea
  • lyssna på nätet

Formats

  • CD
  • EP

About Western Settings

Melodic-punk band based in San Diego, CA. Started in October, 2013.

Members

  • Ricky Schmidt
  • Will Castro
  • Adam Kissell
  • Thomas House

Interesting fact about Album

Here’s something cool: The album *WS* by Western Settings is like a love letter to punk rock fans. Released in 2016 on La Escalera Records, it’s packed with unique twists. They took tracks like "RevHead" and "Duncan" and gave them an 8-bit makeover, making them sound like they’re straight out of a retro video game. Plus, they threw in acoustic versions of songs and even covered classics from bands like The Bouncing Souls and Fugazi. It’s a wild mix of styles that keeps you hooked.