I couldn’t help being attracted to an EP called 'Dude Manor', it just sounds like fun. I stick the CD on and open the biography to find out more. Living with Lions is yet another Canadian act- what’s with Canada and rock recently? I would consider moving there if it was warmer!

Dude Manor is this “punk squatter paradise” in Vancouver where the five piece was born, initially just as a bunch of flatmates trying to cut on living expenses. They start jamming and making noise, and soon found it time to find better accommodation, not before throwing a kick ass final party. Yep, definitely sounds like fun!
Talking less romantic stuff, 'Dude Manor' and the following full length 'Make your Mark' had already been released, approximately two years ago, on Black Box Recordings. Thanks to their fresh, fast and captivating pop punk sound and a promotional tour of the American West Coast, Living with Lions won over a loyal following and these re-released both on Billie Joe Armstrong's [Greenday] label Adeline Records and lets be fair, he knows one thing or two about pop punk.

'Dude Manor' is five tracks plus a 50 seconds intro which works as a brilliant introduction, a mouth-watering appetiser for the full length out shortly. There’s nothing new under the hood, but it does what it says on the label and Living With Lions are all quite good musicians.

A bit Greenday, a bit Blink 182, a bit Sum 41. Catchy and unpretentious, the songs on 'Dude Manor' grew on me and I was “I-liking” them by the third listen. 'Latter is better' would make a good single, 'Colors' is effervescent at the beginning but it loses its sparkle as it goes on; my favourite is 'Mark has bedroom eyes' which is fast and energetic combining both lead and backing vocals. 'Said and done' didn’t really convince me as much as the others as it tended to slow down a bit too much, and these guys give their best on the fast ones. Rhythm and energy are back for the closing 'Noisy noise annoys the boys', asking us if we’d like some more... I’d definitely say yes!

Overall a good debut EP which Adeline Records decided to re-release after the audience gave its wide approval. Although convening that originality is not a prerogative of pop punk, there are at least a couple of songs here that could make their mark, and two out of five is not bad at all for a first job. I’m looking forward to the full length which should be out in the next few days, and I hope Living with Lions will keep growing in the direction taken with 'Dude Manor'.