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Record Reviews1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 | 0-9| A| B| C| D| E| F| G| H| I| J| K| L| M | | N| O| P| Q| R| S| T| U| V| W| X| Y| Z| Below are some recently posted reviews.  RSS Feed
BBQ:
Self-titled: CD
As a fan of both the Spaceshits and one man bands, I can’t even begin to tell you how let down I was by this. The guitars have a pretty cool sixties garage sound to them, but then the guy goes and fucks it all up by opening his mouth. No matter how open-minded I may be about music, I cannot and will not embrace sock hop music. Ever.
–Josh (Alien Snatch)
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BANG! BANG!:
Do You Like It?: CD
Did you know that back in the ‘70s the Alice Cooper Band were forced at gunpoint by Mick Jagger to write and record an album with the lippy Glimmer Twin? I didn’t either. But here it is. And if one listen isn’t enough to convince you of the verity of this recently come-to-light factoid, then just check out the lead vox on this disc who coyly goes by the moniker “Jack Flash.” Like that isn’t a total give away. But wait a minute... now he sounds like Richard Hell. Man, after that first song I was certain it was Mick Jagger. I guess it doesn’t matter ‘cause I never liked either one of those over-cherished suckwads. So to answer the original question, no, I guess I don’t like it. But the hot blond chick bass player on the other hand...
–aphid (Heads Up)
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AXES OF EVIL:
Married to America: CD
A politically astute punk band mired in a bog of clichéd metal riffage. Really, really wanted to like this, but overt headbangin’ fodder makes me stomach churn.
–Jimmy Alvarado (New Regard Media)
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AWAY FROM NOW:
Sic Semper Tyrannis: CD
Mixture of Hot Water Music and Thursday meets tough guy hardcore from Australia. Fit your profile? Do you need this?
–Donofthedead (Pee)
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AVSKUM:
Punkista: CD
This band is from Sweden and has been playing on and off since the early ‘80s. It’s fast and furious, like Discharge, but some of the songs are a little slow, too. There are a total of fifteen songs on here. These guys are not happy with all the war, capitalism, and injustice in the world. Although the lyrics are in broken English, you know exactly where they are coming from. If you are a fan of Prank, you will love this CD. –Mike Beer
–Guest Contributor (Prank)
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AUTOMATIC:
Black Ink Rising: CD
Had a real tough time with this release, ‘cause there’s something buried in their sound that I really like. It’s almost like they’ve taken a nugget of Hüsker Dü drone, wrapped it in sandpaper and lodged it firmly somewhere behind the guitars. The problem is there’s all this emo sludge surrounding it and keeping it just out of reach. Look, you don’t have to front, guys. Drop any and all arty pretenses and just rock the fuck out.
–Jimmy Alvarado (soautomatic@yahoo.com)
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ATOM AND HIS PACKAGE:
Hair: Debatable: CD/DVD
Final show from the outsider artist (and certified high school teacher), who sings and plays guitar to songs he wrote on sequencers. The current Atari-Nintendo restructure dance scene probably owes him some credit. Catchy, hilarious, and – as evidenced in the bonus DVD – entirely humble. With songs about friends, street hockey, parties at the North Pole, how stupid the team name of the Washington Redskins is, the efficiency of the metric system, and moving, Atom is the high-pitched bedroom nerd who makes punk anthems through his own tight universe. It’s infectious. I challenge you to not sing along to “Happy Birthday, Ralph, I love you, even though you are fucking disgusting.” High quality DVD also includes a couple of documentaries and a music video.
–Speedway Randy (Hopeless)
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ASS:
Self-titled: LP
Slow to mid-tempo hardcore that was embarrassingly generic, right down their co-opting of one of Crass’s logos.
–Jimmy Alvarado (Ass)
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ARROGANT SONS OF BITCHES:
All the Little Ones Are Rotting: CD
Just your run-of-the-mill ska-punk outfit. What points they may have earned by maintaining their DIY status they lost the moment the first song started. There was an “enhanced” portion to this disc, but I wasn’t feeling masochistic enough to subject myself to it.
–Jimmy Alvarado (www.asobrock.com)
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ANGELVILLE:
Can’t Go Home: CDEP
Straight edge hardcore that plays like a soundtrack to a panic attack or going through the day with a high level of anxiety. Metallic riffing and the screamy vocals keep things aggressive. If you have little penis syndrome, like me, bands like this are a good remedy. Weird name for a label. Unique.
–Donofthedead (Happy Couples Never Last)
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ALTAIRA:
Weigh Your Conscience: CDEP
I really should recuse myself from reviewing this record, but since Antonin Scalia doesn’t have a problem adjudicating his conflicts of interest and his decisions have far-reaching implications which substantially affect the lives of myself and others, I’ll happily assess the virtues and merits of these seven songs, especially since I became friends with these people largely because I’m a fan of the band. First of all, certain bits of Southern California and Florida punk are so similar that the regions sound like they’re separated by a county, not a country. I’m not talking about the bro hymns from HB or combat-wounded grindcore; I’m thinking of the drunken, anthemic, heroic gestures of defiance offered by bands which live in vans, don’t bother to replace broken strings in the middle of the set because they didn’t need that one anyway and simply strive to do something that most horse race handicappers would put beyond their reach. It’s quixotic and noble, something more realistic than futile but far less practical than most people will ever be capable of understanding. Sure, people used to more polished and less nourishing fare may find it rough around the edges, but this is the shit that always has me dancing, that makes me forget about the small and large insults and indignities that tomorrow will inevitably bring because, at least for these moments, anything seems possible all over again.
–Puckett (ADD)
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AGENTS OF SATAN:
The Old Testament: CD
Pseudo-satanic grind that manages to invoke the memories of both Intense Mutilation and early Cryptic Slaughter, which means it isn’t particularly accomplished and the joke ran out of steam somewhere around the middle.
–Jimmy Alvarado (Intolerant Messiah)
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AGAINST ME! :
As the Eternal Cowboy: CD
I’m poorly ripping off Replay Dave (Grabass Charlestons) right here. We talked about this album at length. This is, secretly, Against Me!s third album. Zig and zag as you may, there are certain inevitable mistakes on a band’s second album. Everything from growing self-consciousness, “improved” playing technique, and the availability of a better studio can distract bands (“What does that knob do?” “Can we do solos?” “You got a theramin?”), especially if the bands had a modicum of success with their first full-length. (Against Me! had, well, much more than a modicum.) I’m not suggesting that there’s a wholly unreleased, in-the-vaults Against Me! album, I’m just floored at how much different yet the same this album is compared to Reinventing Axl Rose. The mistakes I’m so used to hearing in sophomore jinx albums just aren’t there. Here’s the unmolested template for Against Me! Acoustics are the core, wrapped around voices, strings, and poundables. Basically, what could be done at a punk barbecue, all revved up and written impeccably. Anthems that you’re not ashamed to sing, that sort of thing. Differences: overt politics are redirected to powerful personal policies and inflection. Rally cries seem to be coming from the inside, not just part of a small group. There’s a lot more singing on the Eternal Cowboy. Fuckin’-a Tom and Andrew can sing and I’m glad they’re given more of a chance. There are a lot of subtle differences in the music, too. Although there’s been some minor backlash with Against Me!, This Bike Is a Pipebomb, and the Hair Beard Combo as being jamboree punk, picking up the Young Pioneers banner that some wish would have remained buried, I just hear a great band, not afraid to listen to a broad swath of music. They let it ripple the waters just a little bit. In the corners, of all things, in the guitars I hear early ‘80s underground pop, especially the Cure. Hats off.
–Todd Taylor (Fat)
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ADOLPH & THE PISS ARTISTS:
Hate Generator: CD
A solid street/oi style CD without anything original or new but enough energy to keep me briefly interested. Kinda the way I feel about their live shows.
–Toby Tober (TKO)
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ADOLESCENTS, THE:
Live at the House of Blues: DVD & CD
I saw this at the record store and almost bought it. I had seen the band last year and this year and the shows were absolutely incredible. The songs are twenty-plus years old and they stand the test of time. I never tire of hearing them. The Adolescents were one of the first punk bands I got into and saw live. My expectation level for this DVD with accompanying CD was not too high, but I would buy it for sheer sentimental value. My expectations were surpassed. Taped using seven cameras and having all original members, minus one, Casey Royer, the sound and footage is amazing. On drums is Derek O’Brien, who many of you might recognize from Social Distortion. This is definitely addition by subtraction. His drumming is more precise and he brings up the tempo of the songs compared to Casey playing recently. Songs performed are from the infamous and classic blue LP, Welcome to Reality 7”, Brats in Battalions LP and new songs from their upcoming LP. For many of you who didn’t get to see the original line-up within the last year, you will miss out. Casey has pulled out again to focus on D.I. and Rikk Agnew just plain fell out. Replacing Rikk in the current incarnation is another Social Distortion alumni, Johnny Two Bags. I have seen this line-up and it’s every bit as good or better. If you watch closely on the video, Rikk no longer plays many of the solos he used to play. His brother Frank has basically taken on all the lead guitarist duties. Great band and great release. I watched this more than a few times and that says a lot. It just makes me want to go out and see them again.
–Donofthedead (Kung Fu)
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7-10 SPLITS, THE:
Yard Sale: CD
This stinks. Imagine the worst possible outcome of combining early Queers with Sloppy Seconds. Not funny. Not even dumb. Just boring. If this were a cereal, it’d be regular Alpha Bits. Yawn.
–Maddy (Big Neck)
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69 CHARGER:
Trash Deluxe: CD
Uneventful trash rock from the Netherlands that runs high on adrenaline, but never quite mustering the momentum to break away from the pack.
–Jimmy Alvarado (Stardumb)
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324:
Across the Black Wings: CDEP
If you are a fan of the grind band Terrorizer, this is in your ballpark. Listed as a three-song EP, there actually is a fourth song. Once a three piece, 324 now has expanded to four. Singer Masao no longer handles bass duties and focuses strictly in the yelling. Sakata, the drummer, is the other remaining solid piece of this confusing puzzle. He provides intricate drumming that sometimes seems so out of control but well-calculated. It seems like every release the band has a new guitarist. It is true once again here. With the addition of Shinji, the band takes their Terrorizer worship and infuses hardcore and crust to the mix. The tempos are more varied but do not sacrifice the intensity. If you are not a fan of metal, you need to walk away here. This band leaves tire marks like a bad ass muscle car with a turbocharger. Aggression, speed, and power is the cocktail of rage that is released. One of Japan’s little treasures that I hope one day will make it to these shores to corrupt the anger in us.
–Donofthedead (HG Fact)
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1208:
Turn of the Screw: CD
Sophomore effort from this young SoCal band. Punk used to be one unified scene but it has fragmented and subdivided. Subgenres do not cross, so this band is only going to appeal to a certain subset. I don’t remember what the first release sounded like, but I have it filed somewhere in my music room. But going off the first listen here, the first thought that crosses my mind is the singer sounds exactly like Scott Radinsky and the band sounds like Pulley. In fact, if this CD was in the case of the new Pulley CD, I would not have questioned it. The songs are competent and well-produced. I don’t think the band needs my recommendation. By seeing the included video, the band will fit in well with the Warped Tour kids. They fit the profile of what kind of crowd a band like this attracts that bums out us jaded, old punks. Sort of jock-ish and popular kids who wear the name brands and look beautiful, not the outcasts who became punk because they wanted to show the ugliness they felt on the inside to the world on the outside. I’m being grumpy and shallow. The music here is top notch and the melody keeps me interested. More power to them.
–Donofthedead (Epitaph)
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OBSERVERS, THE:
Down on Today: 7”EP
Rough-and-tumble demo versions of four Observers tracks (three of which showed up on So What’s Left Now (one of 2004’s best records). These four songs from 2003 are very 4-track bedroom recording-y, yet showcase the cocoon which The Observers would quickly emerge from. What these are are rough sketches and under paintings of really great songs. I wouldn’t say that this is just for completists—as it’s a bit more interesting than a mere mile marker—but it’s not as essential as any of their proper releases when they were an active band. Silk-screened covers, limited to 1,000.–
–Todd Taylor (Taken By Surprise, myspace.com/takenbysurpriserecords)
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NITAD:
Mina Tankar: 7”
One-sided single of sheer power. Their Ilbland KamMan... LP is a killer, and this is a rager as well. A bit looser and belligerent, but it’s what you need. The title track is fast and tight like the other material. My favorite track is the second, “Bla Bla Bla,” which reminds me of the Lewd, musically and vocally. A lot of swagger and attitude. Enough to warrant hovering over the turntable to place the stylus back at the beginning. The third and final song is “Dum I Huvudet,” which is a fast and spastic number. Nitad. Get familiar with the name. They’re going to be your new favorite band within the next year. Also, there are only two hundred of this diamond in existence, hand numbered, and only available direct from the label. Get on it!!
–Matt Average (Kranium)
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NITAD:
Ibland Kam Man Inte Hindra Sig Sjalv: CD
Crank this up and kick some furniture over. Raging hardcore from Sweden with a massive dose of rock to make this blaze out of control. Nitad are loud, in your face, and it’s a great thing. The songs are fast paced, the rhythm section rumbles, guitars are loud, slightly jangly, and the singer bellows. Nitad are easily one of the best bands going these days, and this collection is a must-have. Think I’m kidding? Get this and hear for yourself. Then send me a thank you note care of Razorcake for hepping you to this chunk of auditory awesomeness. This disc also collects their Varlden Måsten Do EP, material from the split with Kvoteringen, Ge Oss Mer EP, a comp track, and the 2006 demo.
–Matt Average (Kranium)
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NAKED RAYGUN:
All Rise: LP
There’s something about the way so many of their songs start in the middle and extrapolate outwards that will always make them both interesting and inspiring. I think this is important because it signifies that there was already a conversation going that they were dead set on continuing with an urgency that can’t be understated. Disclaimer: I went to see Naked Raygun for the first time last year with a friend, but the Arrivals and Tiltwheel opened up for them and by the time Naked Raygun took the stage I was about ten thousand light years beyond wasted and streaking toward darkness. Six months later, my friend put this gorgeous milky vinyl reissue in my hands. Holy Fucking Shit.
–Jim Ruland (Haunted)
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MURDER BY GUITAR:
Self-titled: 7”
I’m not sure if Sweden’s Murder By Guitar has ever given England’s Gordan Gano’s Army a listen, but they both seem to share an effortlessness approach to their songs. Not like they wish they were doing something else, but it sounds like they could be doing ten other tasks while they belt ‘em out and no one would be any wiser. Maybe it’s the fact that the songs, musicianship, and recording are top notch or maybe they actually are playing with their tongue and I am none the wiser. Either way, this is some splendid, jangly ‘60s pop rock that has as many hooks and soul-melting guitar leads as you can fit on a three-song 7”.
–Daryl Gussin (Alien Snatch)
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MOTORCYCLE BOY:
Self-titled: CD
Yes, a reissue of one of the best albums on the 1990s! A long-lost classic from one of the most overlooked bands of the past coupla decades. Most of that is due to the glam punk tag and the fact this was produced by Sylvain of the New York Dolls. This would lead most to believe that this sounds like something that it is not. For the most part, this disc is chock fulla Cramps/Beasts Of Bourbon/Gun Club/Scientists style rock and is as good as any of those bands. There is the occasional nod to Johnny and Syl and the odd veer into solo Iggy territory, but, for the most part, this is killer bluesy garage rock at its finest. This reissue includes nine bonus tracks, including the ripping first single. There is also a bonus DVD of live and studio performances. This is an impressive package. Highest possible recommendation!
–Mike Frame (Nickel And Dime)
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