This must be the worst thing that can happen to a band: you release your first album, get lots of positive reviews and attention in general, and then you have to change your name. When Belgian punkband Wolf found out that there was a metalband sporting the same name, there wasn’t a lot more they could do than change their name, turning it into Cranck. I personally think that Wolf was a shit name anyway, so it works well for me.

This album is a re-release from the guys’ 2002 debut album, also called Gas Guzzlin’ Girls. New artwork (still featuring the wolf from the band’s old name, hiding behind a gas pump at the back of the inlay, with a sad look on his face) and an extra song (opener “You Got It”), which happens to be one of my favorite songs on the album. Cranck play melodic, catchy punkrock that should certainly appeal to fans of bands like Saves The Day and The Ataris.

Singer Kris has a light, somewhat hoarse voice, but fits well with the music. The guitar riffs are tight and melodic, while the band usually has a pleasant, up-tempo beat driving the songs home.

“Blackout”, “Why Didn’t You Call Me Back” and “You Got It” are excellent songs that work well in my discman. Not all of the thirteen songs presented here reach that same level, and the vocals in “You Are Everything” and “Life’s A Party” (which ends with a killer guitar solo) aren’t completely in tune if you ask me, but that doesn’t spoil it for me. No lyrics, probably because it’s a re-release, and the hysterical “Wolf is the best band in the world!”-nonsense after the last song shouldn’t have been on the original album, and is completely obsolete now that the band has changed its name. Duh. Cut the crap and record a new record guys!