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Record Reviews1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 | 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| < Prev Section | Next Section >  RSS Feed
OH NOS, THE:
Self-titled: CD
Had to check the names of the members ‘cause this was such an uncreative piece of rehash that I was sure that Joel Hova of OBS had something to do with it. You get Farfisa-tinged ‘60s trash rock from four guys who—get ready—are wearing black clothes and matching ski masks. Hmm, now where have I seen that gimmick before? Unfortunately, for them and us, they lack even the tiniest sliver of talent and coolness that the Rip Offs wielded on their worst day. Go back to your garage and don’t come out until you come up with an idea that is wholly your own.
–Jimmy Alvarado (Ski Mask)
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OH SEES, THE:
Warm Slime: CD
Loud, trance-inducing stuff, which will be of no surprise to those who’ve sampled this label’s wares in the past. At times it sounds like some old psych-rock band borrowed Medicine’s gear and went in the studio with whoever was responsible for all those gloriously fucked up early Jesus And Mary Chain singles. Some might find longer tunes like the title track, which clocks in at over thirteen minutes, a bit of a chore, but those who stick it out will likely find it worth the effort.
–Jimmy Alvarado (In the Red)
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OH SEES, THEE:
Castlemania: LP
John Dwyer’s Thee Oh Sees have really taken off. If you’re a skate rat, you’ll know that their last In The Red release (2010’s Warm Slime) was heavily featured in Krooked’s 3D skate video. The band plays big festivals in Europe and gets reviewed in Pitchfork. It’s a nice change of pace to see a really good band “make it.” Castlemania, the group’s latest release, picks up where Warm Slime left off. The record was recorded by John Dwyer and Eric Bauer. The former’s lo-fi approach to production is still present on Castlemania. Dwyer plays pretty much all the instruments himself, with occasional help from Ty Segall (who pretty much plays all the instruments on his own records). Luckily, Dwyer is still under the influence of Syd Barrett and The Television Personalities’ Dan Treacy. Like Barrett, his phrasing is unique and there’s a storybook quality to Dwyer’s lyrics; some of his songs are almost appropriate for a kindergarten sing-a-long book. But like Barrett (or his lo-fi, punk-rock protégé Treacy) there’s just something a bit off about them—take out the bit about being dead, and “I Need Seed” would fit nicely on a PBS program for kids. Castlemania transcends the psych-burnout of ‘68-’70 with elements of baroque pop and darker material (incidentally genres Nico explored throughout her career). “Idea for Rubber Dog” displays elements of early Roxy Music (“Bob (Medley)”). But the baroque-pop tracks really come alive with Brigid Dawson or Heidi Maureen Alexander on vocals. These songs are really the highlight of the record, with the odd minor chord thrown in (something Gene Clark was known for). If you love the Notorious Byrd Brothers, The Rose Garden’s self-titled record, and/or Bull of the Woods, pick this one up.
–Ryan Leach (In The Red)
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OH, BEAST!:
Makin It in the Scene: CD
Hints of NoMeansNo, Blonde Redhead, swirly conceptual maybe-punk rock, not as successful as those two big bands though. Everyone in their hometown probably loves them but don’t stay the whole show.
–Speedway Randy (Perverted Son)
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OHADI:
The Way to the Heart: CDEP
I can’t tell from ye old internet if these dudes are still around or not. Either way, I was not a fan of this nü-metal slab of tunes. Nothing stood out and the guitar pyrotechnics were weak. Sorry, but this EP and Coors Light both suck.
–Sean Koepenick (1332)
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OHNO EXPRESS / SOON:
Split: CD
Ohno Express features former members of Hooton 3 Car and some Servo members. Soon hail from Tokyo, Japan and formed by a former member of the band Blew. Enough of the facts and let's go the important: my opinion. I personally like Soon better than Ohno Express. The music is raw and melodic. The fact is that Soon has a female singer and Ohno Express didn't grip me as much as Soon. Soon really didn't get my gonads all twisted like I was hoping for. More garage-like than maybe I would have preferred. I usually like most of what I hear from Japan. I'm biased that way. Maybe on another day I would appreciate this more, but I just did not connect.
–Donofthedead (Crackle)
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OI POLLOI:
Pigs for Slaughter: CD
A compilation from the two decade running anarcho punk band. It compiles tracks from various sources which is a good start for someone getting into the band. Twenty-three tracks in all, and many on out of print releases. People who have been into the band for awhile, like me, will like the convenience of having a lot of the songs on one disc or for ease to download onto their evil iPod. If this is the introduction, there are many releases out there and a lot of repeats. While it’s still available, the band self-released Ar Ceol, Ar Canan, Ar a Mach5 on CD this year. It continues on the legacy of this great band. All the songs on the new release are sung in Gaelic which is the native language of Scotland. So here is a good start point, and I have given you an end to shoot for.
–Donofthedead (Step-1)
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OI POLLOI:
Carson?: 7"
What else could make my
punk life better than knowing that Oi Polloi has put out another release? I had
to hear about it from a friend in another country asking me to get him a copy.
He is better informed than I. Here are three anarcho-punk anthems that are sung
in their native Gaelic language. Apparently only one percent of the population
of Scotland still speak the language. That is a shame, looking from the
outside. The Gaelic language sounds forceful when used alongside punk. It also
helps that the band is intense and passionate. This band, to me, has always
been protesting and alerting many people to topics that should be addressed. I
have always appreciated this band for their lyrical content and the ferocity of
their music. From the translations of the lyrics, they are angry and speaking
out about the problems of Scotland that most people do not hear about. I, for
one, have heard nothing in the news presented by the North American media. But
the DIY network comes through again to make light of things that I wouldn’t
have learned through mainstream channels. If you liked the last record, Fuaim
Catha, this release is even
heavier. The production, across the board, is near perfection. As usual, I was
not disappointed. One of my all-time favorite long-running bands.
–Donofthedead (Nikt Nic Nie Wie)
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OI POLLOI:
(1)Six of the Best and (2)Outraged by the System: CD
I received two CDs that feature the greatest hits from one of the long standing DIY anarchist bands that truly matter. From their early beginnings in the mid 1980s to the current, these motley crew of status questioners have been belting it out for years. OP has a way of expelling their rage and making you feel it without using cheap gimmicks. You feel that they mean what they say. They stand on their own and require no comparisons. They came to the states a couple of times to my recollection and I missed them. They are one of the bands on my list in my head that I truly have to see in my lifetime. Six of the Best features the EPs "Punks n' Skins," "Resist the Atomic Menace," "Omnicide," "Guilty," the self-titled EP put out by the Polish label Nikt Nic Nie Wie and "THC." It's a timeline of incredible punk at its best. Outraged by the System is a greatest hits package and has many songs from the previously mentioned CD. It's equally as important if you need to sample their venom. If their music doesn't inspire you to think or become active, you are too far gone in conformity. Fans like me appreciate these releases to fill the holes in their collections. Two fingers in the air punk rock for ya !
–Donofthedead ((1) Rugger Bugger / (2) Step-1 Music)
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OI POLLOI:
Fuaim Catha: CD
Oi Polloi are a long-time,
multi- and-shifting member band out of Scotland. Politically, they take
a stance similar to Crass (anarchism), while incorporating many of the
same ethics and politics: anti-police, pro-animal, anti-industrialist,
gay-friendly, pro-everyone’s-land, anti-capitalist. Musically, one
can really hear the influence these guys have had on the US band, Toxic
Narcotic. Aside from the drum-circle monologue poem that opens this
long CD up, the two bands can both play convincing, primitive thrash.
Then they can switch effortlessly to into slower folkloric, traditional
numbers without betraying either approach to music. It’s a lot to
chew on in one large bite and the politics are extremely blunt, but
after repeated listens, this has grown on me. There’s surprising bits
all over it.
–Todd Taylor (Combat Rock Industry)
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OI POLLOI:
Ar Ceol, Ar Canan, Ar-A-Mach: CD
A 2006 album getting the reissue treatment, significant because I believe it’s the first full-length the long-running anarcho band did while keeping all their lyrics in Gaelic. Well, twenty-five years after the band’s inception, Ar Ceol, Ar Canan, Ar-A-Mach finds them still sticking pretty firmly to their roots—crust with the occasional streetpunk/oi jab thrown in. Strangely enough, this album also has moments of indelicate, kind of bumbling electronica and keyboards scattered throughout, though to their credit it’s always tempered with a fevered sense of immediacy and speed. I like these guys. Their lyrics have always come across as a little simplistic (anarcho punk as a whole could be called out on that one) but I like their ideas and their willingness to tackle difficult subjects unflinchingly, and that they see things through a slightly sharper lens than many of their compatriots. English translations are provided, as are contacts to radical resources and language preservation websites.
–Keith Rosson (Nikt Nic Nie Wie)
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OI POLLOI / APPALCHIAN TERROR UNIT:
Split: 7”
Alright people, I gotta be honest here. I’m a little bit embarrassed of what I’m about to share with y’all, but in the interest of some real deal music journalism, I feel like I gotta get this out there. I had never heard Oi Polloi before getting this 7” in my review bundle. Pretty sad when a band’s been consistently rockin’ it since 1981 and I can’t even be bothered to check ‘em out. Honestly, the name is just so goddamned stupid that I never bothered, and that was really my loss. This is some pretty solid d-beat /crust fury. It’s not the greatest thing I’ve ever heard in my life but it’s pretty tolerable. Appalachian Terror Unit, on the other hand, has just never done it for me. I can’t even really explain why not. Something about the melodies they use just annoys me. (I fully realize how stupid it is to be complaining about the melodies used in crusty/d-beat music.) Oi Polloi’s side is fully worth checking out, though.
–Ryan Horky (Nikt Nic Nie Wie, nnnw.pl)
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OI POLLOI / APPALCHIAN TERROR UNIT:
Split: 7” EP
Oi Polloi: More than three decades in (!) this group still know how to kick up the dust and deliver the “Discharge gone oi” goods. Three tunes—one each in English, Finnish and Gaelic, respectively—with which to pummel your ears, and your brain. Appalachian Terror Unit: Less Discharge and more Conflict/Nausea in the mix, with songs about the stupidity of the American public, resisting corporate raping of the planet for its resources, and meat eaters. Comes with a foldout poster/cover with lyrics, information, and a larger reproduction of the cover.
–Jimmy Alvarado (Profane Existence)
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OIL:
Electric Tongue EP: CDEP
Heavy on the bass, but heavier on the art. Jesus Lizard, anyone?
–Megan Pants (Level Plane)
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OIL:
Electric Tongue EP: CDEP
Heavy on the bass, but heavier on the art. Jesus Lizard, anyone?
–Megan Pants (Level Plane)
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OIL!:
The Glory of Honor: LP
Simultaneously ridiculous (lyrics-wise) and spot-on (music-wise), this is one of the best homages and deflators of oi culture I’ve heard in long time. Much like JewDriver takes the undeniable musical power of Skrewdriver and turned it on its head (racism, for starters), Oil! spins tales of skinhead glory on its rubberized, metal-tipped boots, both commending the best of the culture (hey, at its best, it’s a definable belief system where beer’s involved and hippies are hated) and making fun of its over-used clichés (calling ladies “birds,” spending gross amounts for fashionable clothing that was once made for the working class, and not knowing how to cry.) In the end, yeah, it’s pretty damn good. I bet you could slip it on in the middle of the first Blitz record, classic 4-Skins, and the Cockney Rejects, and few people would be the wiser. It’s leagues better than that last Business record that Epitaph put out. At least these guys know there’s a joke involved. First 300 have sixteen-page booklet and silkscreened cover.
–Todd Taylor (Noma Beach)
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OIL!:
Red, White & Boots + Bills to Pay b/w Pullin’ on the Boots: 7”
There are exactly two things that continuously propel America to the head of the pack on this mongrel burg we call Earth: Number one is our nation’s unwavering dedication to quality footwear in the workplace; Number two is our national obsession with, and our renowned proficiency at, the game of soccer. Oil! celebrates both crucial facets of our national character most magnificently, and who shall say them nay?! Stand tall, America! Oil! has got your back during the penalty kicks! BEST SONG: “Bills to Pay” BEST SONG TITLE: “Red, White & Boots” FANTASTIC AMAZING TRIVIA FACT: This record would have been better if all three songs were called “KILL DAVID FUCKING BECKHAM RIGHT NOW”
–Rev. Norb (Noma Beach)
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OILTANKER:
Self-titled: 7” EP
Crusty stuff that does the
Funky Chicken all over the fine line between hardcore and metal. The lyrics
carry the requisite astuteness for the genre and the music churns and thrashes
in all the right spots.
–Jimmy Alvarado (www.bspropaganda.com)
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OILTANKER:
The Shadow of Greed: LP
All the raw fury Oiltanker brings to their live performance has been captured by this studio recording. From their powerful riffs and furious leads, to thundering drums and growling vocals, the result is first-rate crust in all its gritty glory. Finding highlights on such a good album is tough, but a few that stand out are: “Who’s in Control,” with its driving riffs and repeated chorus; “Blight,” and “By Death or By Force,” for some of my favorite riffs; and “Ignorant Bastards,” for its sick leads. If you’re a fan of crust, this album is a no-brainer.
–Paul J. Comeau (No Funeral, oiltankercrust@hotmail.com)
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OILTANKER / NO TOMORROW:
Split: LP
Oiltanker sound bored. There’s no energy on their side, and the vocals just sound tired. All of the riffs are phoned in and the structures are all cut from a crust template. This does absolutely nothing for me. No Tomorrow rage a little harder and take control of their side with a little more creativity in the writing, but it’s still sort of middle-of-the-road crust.
–Ian Wise (Profane Existence, profaneexistence.com)
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OKAY PADDY:
The Cactus Has a Point: CD
Reaction to opening notes: what the hell is this smarmy mess? Reaction to entire record: surprisingly good/much better than expected/you dumbass, stop with the instant judgments. This really did surprise me because it’s not often that I come across a relatively mellow (THE word that springs to mind with every song) rock’n’roll record that I can’t get enough of. In a lot of ways this sounds to me, at least, like a subdued version of The Figgs, as if they were to make a record baked on a whole load of weed. It’s so easy to get bored with fast-paced fury at times, and this was a welcome change of pace for me.
–Staff (Prison Jazz)
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OKAY PADDY:
The Cactus Has a Point: CD
Reaction to opening notes: what the hell is this smarmy mess? Reaction to entire record: surprisingly good/much better than expected/you dumbass, stop with the instant judgments. This really did surprise me because it’s not often that I come across a relatively mellow (THE word that springs to mind with every song) rock’n’roll record that I can’t get enough of. In a lot of ways this sounds to me, at least, like a subdued version of The Figgs, as if they were to make a record baked on a whole load of weed. It’s so easy to get bored with fast-paced fury at times, and this was a welcome change of pace for me.
–The Lord Kveldulfr (Prison Jazz)
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OKAY PADDY:
Hunk: CDEP
This reminds me a janglier version of The Outfield or a weaker version of Jimmy Eat World. Neither of those references is bad, per se, but I just need more “oomph” to keep this one in my collection because by the last song (and this is only an EP, mind you,) I said out loud to myself, “Please stop,” as I reached for the eject button. Still, it’s always nice to get an extra jewel case out of these things…
–Kat Jetson (Prison Jazz)
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OKIE DOKIE:
“Badhammer” b/w “Power”: 7”
This one-sided 7” contains two buzzin’ songs of stream-of-thought lyrics and rapid firepower musicianship. When they perform live, the fact that they use a drum machine is kind of distracting, but on record I can’t tell the difference. Mikey’s demented delivery and head-scratching lyrics heighten how odd this band really is. I saw them play along with a strobe light one time and even though I felt like I was gonna vomit multiple times, it was great.
–Daryl Gussin (Goodbye Boozy)
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OKMONICS, THE:
Take a Spin with the Okmonics: EP
This here’s a busy bass player. He weaves, he bobs, he bangs, he rocks his prize fighter agile fingers through 3 songs of infectious, sweet yet unsappy punky pop – or is it poppy punk? Helene coos like a bird (of prey) and pounds keys like Jeff Monoman Connelly (minus, like 100 pounds). Guitarist Sammy is a Teen Beat layout waiting to happen! On drums is Sarah laying down the fat beats. This band’s really fun to watch live and they’re super duper cool. They played a fun filled set at Mr. T’s Bowl along with the Seeds on one of those rock-action packed nights here in Los Angeles and believe me, it’s nice to hear a band that isn’t trying to be The MC5 or The Stooges (excuse me, I love the aforementioned bands but can we please get on with it! Detroit Christ on a crust!). Okay, let me break it down like this: they’re like that band your big brother joined during his sophomore year at high school, but The Okmonics are much better because they probably listened to much better bands like The Troggs, The Lyres, The Devil Dogs, and maybe even that gay ass Gary Numan record your brother’s band tried to play along to. (If you’re over the age of 25 – replace “brother” in the above sentence to “you”). Word up, Tucson rocks!
–Namella J. Kim (The Okmonics)
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