Reviews

MRR #46 • March 1987

Al Perry and the Cattle Cattle Crossing LP

Al’s been around and playing the neo-psych world for what seems like forever, and this LP is good to see and a slight departure. Most of it is rowdy country music, but there is some good country blues, and the rest is some plain rockin’ hot dogs. Good fun.

Attitude Adjustment American Paranoia LP

A hot, consistent album from this young Bay Area outfit, playing powerful metallic HC with smart lyrics. Sure to be a hit with the crossover crowd, and most others as well. This version of A.A. has now split into a new (original line-up) A.A. and into CONDEMNED ATTITUDE.

Oi Polloi / Betrayed Skins n’ Punks, Volume Two split LP

This split LP contains OI POLLOI from Scotland and BETRAYED. The latter play pretty unexciting but competent Oi with lyrics that range from the standard working class oppression themes to dubious calls for skinhead unity. OI POLLOI, on the other hand, rip like crazy and have lyrics that rise above the norm.

Braver Noise Sand Surreal 12″

This has nothing to do with punk, thrash, or hardcore; rather, BRAVER NOISE springs from folksier roots, not unlike an American BLYTH POWER. What’s more, I tended to like this record’s melodic sense, well-structured compositions, and sung vocals. Very different; it’s unbelievable to me that this band contains three members from the original LAW & ORDER.

Chaotic Dischord Goat Fuckin Virgin Killerz From Hell LP

Goofy humor is the appeal of this LP from CHAOTIC DISCHORD, who use a UK thrash style to cover topics like nasal sex, beer as a metaphor for life, random destruction, and nail bombs. No lyric sheet, but the music ranges from okay to very good, especially on “Vibrator Up Your Nose.”

Chorchazade Made to Be Devoured LP

Somewhere in between YOUNG MARBLE GIANTS and VELVET UNDERGROUND enters this band. There’s some really great intensity building, musicianship and twists, but is so subtle and quiet that unless you have a “mood” for soft music, this is a bit boring.

Civilised Society? Scrap Metal LP

This powerful and interesting English band plays pounding, mid-tempo music with catchy riffs, loud drums, and a great combination of male/female vocals. All together, this record has a lot of the same qualities as Holland’s FUNERAL ORATION. Lyrically, it’s also right on cue.

Dirt Just an Error LP

As expected, melodic mid-tempo raw punk filled to the top with politically aware messages. This music has a hard edge and is enhanced by the high-pitched female vocals, making most of these 12 songs catchy and memorable. Only available through mail order.

Disaster Area Die on Your Board LP

Two slow, uninteresting post-punk ditties appear on the A-side of this release, but a clutch of eight energetic punkers charge away on the flip. A rudimentary sense of melody and nifty speed changeups make for accessible listening, but the material doesn’t stick to the ribs. Okay.

F.O.D. Shatter Your Day LP

This thoroughly enjoyable album showcases a blistering thrash attack with catchy power chord guitar progressions and solid melodies. Sixteen songs, each distinctive compositionally, with good lyrics to boot. My suggestion: purchase this terrific LP!

Fungus Brains Fungus Brains LP

The second record by this group is a wonderful and curious mystery. A little bit of an early CURE guitar sound, a little GUN CLUB rhythm and a lot of weirdness. The singer has a tendency to gulp for air and lyrics at the same time like the singer for FEEDTIME. Strange MINUTEMEN style rockers that end very abruptly.

Gang of Four The Peel Sessions 12″

This influential band is captured here at their peak in early 79, and the classic “I Found That Essence Rare” and “At Home He’s A Tourist” are given an aggressive, raw treatment on this EP, along with two other numbers. Very good versions, and recommended.

Hüsker Dü Warehouse: Songs and Stories 2xLP

This double-album set from the HUSKERS rates as a real disappointment. Aside from two catchy numbers, the compositional structures here meander through their mid-tempo territory without going anywhere; the typical “lyric – chorus – lyric” structure of past efforts having been largely abandoned. Too bad.

Henry Rollins Hot Animal Machine LP

HENRY ROLLINS’ (ex-SOA/BLACK FLAG) first solo vinyl effort is not so solo. Backed on cuts by a hard-driving band (including ex-SOA/FAITH/EMBRACE member Mike Hampton), the musical tracks sound much better to my ear than anything the Four Towels did in recent years. Despite the cleanness of the production, there’s real structure and bite here, and Hank sounds in great form. Biggest surprise — no spoken word.

Iron Lung Caspar Weinberger’s on Fire EP

This sometimes self-consciously bizarre EP uses a funny variant on a rap style on “Gödel Escher Bach: The Eternal Golden Rap,” while the two songs on the flip use a trebly synth (played quickly and seemingly at random) to underscore some similarly humorous lyrics. Strange, and basically okay.

La Polla Records Salve LP

From the Basque region of Spain hails this pop-punk band. This is commercial punk in an early UK style, incorporating ska and other influences as well. There are funny songs as well as an overriding political bent. Okay, but slick.

Last Stand Approved Cuts LP

Melodic pop-punk is, of course, the approved sound of the ten approved cuts on this LP. Lyrics are committed, guitars up in front, but the standard for this punk style is much higher. LAST STAND should aim their sights to the likes of STRANGLEHOLD or MOVING TARGETS, and a bit more energy (as on “Scum Guns”) wouldn’t hurt.

Lärm Straight on View LP

Thirty-six songs, half-live/half-studio of this hard-hitting Dutch band. Very politically aware and idealistic, their beliefs translate into raging, noisy outbursts. We in the U.S. may get a chance to see them live this summer, so buy this slab and help em get over here.

Mobs Gypsy on Journey EP

The thoroughly glammed-out band photos on the pic sleeve was fair warning on this one. Three songs in a metal-punkish vein, interrupted by dreary Japanese lead breaks and lame sung vocals– and close to zilch in the way of cool songs. Too bad.

Poison Hot Rod EP

This four song effort presents mid- to fast-tempo punk/HC with some lead breaks that tax one’s attention, and frankly less in the way of memorable compositions than I’d hoped for. Good energy, but unmemorable.

Pussy Galore Pussy Gold 5000 12″

“Noise” is the operative word for PUSSY GALORE — and happily, noise is used in very inventively on most of the tracks here. The two songs on the A-side sound remarkably like riffy 60s garage punk put through the old blender, while the thrashy “Get Out” easily out-trebles the JESUS AND MARY CHAIN. Unusual, and good.

Scream Walking By Myself / Choke Word 7″

The A-side from this veteran DC band at its best has strong MC5 influences: with the structure, leads, vocals, and riffs, it has a bit of a 70s rock feel, but it’s catchy and powerful. The flip is a folk/acoustic song that lacks power but has good lyric impact.

Sekaannus Eksyneet EP

In their latest effort, SEKAANNUS employs a mid-tempo HC approach that’s listenable, but fails to pick up enough energy or noise to make a definite impression. Three songs, all in a repetitious, riffy style.

Skin Yard Skin Yard LP

This band does a dark, rolling sound and also has a lot of instrumental finesse. Some of the guitar…uh..”hoodling” sounds a lot like GONE and the vocalist has a touch of NICK CAVE without being obnoxious about it.

Social Spit Demo/Live cassette

Resurrected from the depths of the early San Diego scene, these guys belt out 11 classic raw punk tunes plus three great covers. The demo side is clean with good production, but the live side gets berserk! Look out for vinyl soon.

Special Ed Special Ed LP

Another one of those strange post-punk releases that instantly reminds you of a thousand bands. Their taut, murky music and oblique lyrics reminded me of the MINUTEMEN, PHANTOM TOLLBOOTH, even the BLOODY MANNEQUIN ORCHESTRA.

The Lizard Train Thirteenth Hour Daydream EP

Heavy on the sludge from this now-defunct Australian garage band. You get a lot of nasty, crusty guitar riffs that pound insistently over and over in your head with just a touch of psychedelic melodies to mix things up.

The Original Sins Just 14 / Sugar Sugar 7″

Basically, this sounds like the STOOGES trying to do a cover of a JESUS AND MARY CHAIN song they just can’t get a handle on, so they make up for it by laying out a full-out aggressive noisefest ending. Truly inspiring.

The Subtones Boys Want Fun LP

I’ve always dismissed this band as a wimpy neo-’60s band, but not after listening to this. Anyone could be impressed with the hard-edged guitar sounds while maintaining a melodic pop charm. Sounds like a long-lost LP from the era that brought us the YARDBIRDS, ZOMBIES, and THEM.

The Trilobites American TV / Legacy of Morons 7″

This has all the components of a great Aussie garage record. There’s a great underlying melody that never gets in the way, some tough guitar slashing, and everything moves along at a pace reminiscent of the FLAMIN’ GROOVIES and SCIENTISTS.

The Undertones The Peel Sessions 12″

One of the greatest of all UK bands is given another long-shot chance to become the next BEATLES on this 12″, which contains disciplined but enjoyable versions of four of their terrific songs. UNDERTONES fans (and I know there are lots of them) should snap this one up, and fast.

The Wet Ones It’s a Premoistened World 12″

I was pleasantly surprised to see this witty group making just good standard trash rock with funny and biting lyrics that ring a little bit like old DELTA 5 or TV PERSONALITIES. A lotta fun, but certainly not wimpy.

Toxic Reasons Bullets for You LP

This is actually the domestic pressing of their latest EP. The import, reviewed in a previous issue, contained some tracks from the American release “Kill by Remote Control,” so they’ve replaced those tracks with the import 7″ “God Bless America.” If you don’t have the import EP or 7″, snap this up.

United Beast Dominate EP

The metal-punk on this release crosses the Offensive Barrier, at least for me. Basic speedcore riffs, crunching lead breaks, and sub-par songwriting combine to make for four songs distinguished only by their relative speed and energy.

V/A Battle of the Garages, Vol. IV: Tomorrow the World! LP

Current garage sleaze from both the U.S. and Europe featuring LES THUGS, CANNIBALS, LEGENDARY GOLDEN VAMPIRES, SICK ROSE and much more. One of the best neo-60s series going.

V/A Dirty Water: The History of Eastern Iowa Rock, Vol. 2 LP

While this label put out the great Surfin’ in the Midwest compilation, this sampler suffers from a little too much of the “folk rock” sound and not enough of the great 60s garage fuzz. Still, some respectable tracks from UNCLE AND THE ANTEATERS and DAYBREAKERS.

V/A Kenosha Basement Sampler cassette

This 90-minute sampler of HC and noise punk from Wisconsin contains no less than 30 songs from the likes of CHARMING DEVIANTS, IDK, 10-96, U.S. DISTRESS, and JOHN ADRIAN. Lyric booklet included.

V/A La Voix Des Gnomes Présente LP

A four-band project. LES GNOMES have a hard-hitting but quirky thrash/punk sound that’s distinctive without getting pretentious. DAMES are an all-femme band that have an English pop-punk sound with a slight post-punk flair. BARON ROUGE has a ’79 English arty punk sound that still has power. ZOI are a mid-temp band that occasionally lurch into thrash, all with SIOUXSIE-like vocals. Good variety on all tracks.

V/A Life is a Joke, Vol. 2 LP

An international comp featuring BLUT+EISEN, ANGRY SAMOANS, SUBHUMANS, KTMK, COC, FANG, I SPIT ON YOUR GRAVY, and lots more. Hot tracks from the DEPRAVED, NEUROTIC ARSEHOLES, FALLOUT. Many tracks previously released, but now largely unavailable.

V/A Notes From the Underground cassette

A sampler in the true sense of the word, with 19 NJ/NY outfits playing everything from psych to speedcore to melodic pop to 77-ish punk to comedy skits! For the diverse.

V/A Risen From Obscurity cassette

An hour’s worth of blazing punk and thrash from the likes of FALSE LIBERTY, GUILT PARADE, and many others. Another great, consistent comp from this label.

V/A We Can Change the World cassette

Ninety minutes of acts like MDC, STATE OF MIND, A.P.P.L.E., FINAL CONFLICT, etc. all spewing out their strong lyrical sentiments. Informative booklet enclosed. Cool stuff.

Vale of Tears Songs From the Bible Belt LP

A good follow-up to their 7″ featuring the same quirky yet melodic thrashers, funky moments, some good material, and lots of the ol’ saxophone. Their slower moments get dull and gothic sounding, but the fast ones are really fun.

Venom P. Stinger Meet My Friend Venom LP

This album incorporates a variety of influences (punk, BIRTHDAY PARTY post-punk, and even industrial tinges), spreads its invention too thin over the ten tracks here. What results is a punk sound with wanky edges; I only wish the whole LP sounded like the terse, disciplined title track.

X-Creta Patronizing the Heterodox LP

A very high energy release — this is metal-heavy hardcore without the excesses and with intelligence. Though riffs do get repetitious, the overall power is intense enough to hold your attention. Should be popular.