Reviews

A.D.D.

Slinky Saddest Girl / Run and Run 7″

Florida melodic punk from the ’90s reimagined brilliantly in 2024—when I first dropped the needle, I thought I was listening to a new band harnessing the sounds of a forgotten DIY past, when I was actually listening to a band reimagining themselves as adults. “Saddest Girl” is a perfect example of the (sub)genre, an energetic wistful missive that’s light-years from the love song that the listener might mistake it for. And I’m gonna stop the review there, because that A-side is so damn good, and the flip is an utterly forgettable butchering of a PSYCHEDELIC FURS track.

Street Diamonds Scenester Citizens EP

Think American hardcore that’s trying to harness the snarky political wit that made the ’80s timeless. Not saying it works (also not saying it doesn’t), but the gruff melodic vocals and in-your-face riffs take me to a place I haven’t been for a while. If M.O.T.O. made a Southern Californian hardcore record, it might sound like STREET DIAMONDS.

Golf War / Tides split EP

Great split EP from a couple bands out of the Tampa area. TIDES kick things off with a sound that brings to mind No Idea Records. Go figure! Very heavy LATTERMAN/HOT WATER MUSIC energy. Reminds me of latter-era SPITALFIELD as well. On the opposite side, we have GOLF WAR and their batch of golf-themed hardcore songs, opening with a two-second track that would make the DESCENDENTS blush. I wonder what the ERADICATOR would have to say about all of this? Staunchly different from the A-side, and I’m all “fore” it. I love when splits have two completely different types of artists. Well worth a spin.

What Me Worry? Off My Meds EP

Dave DeMedici, of TOO MANY DAVES, puts out an EP to the tune of Fat Wreck Chords snarl. In that vein, nothing wildly new here—raspy vocals overlaid with harmonies, fifth-chord riffs, you know the deal. But the piece is elevated by the lyricism: struggling with substance use in the contrast of “Off My Meds” and “Back on My Meds.” It feels honest, in a self-deprecating sort of way. I don’t know, maybe the album’s description (“A coming-of-old-age tale…”) made me sympathetic. Rounding out the EP is a spin-off of the OPPRESSED’s “Ultra Violence.”

What Me Worry? Friendly EP

On the second outing from Tampa, Florida’s WHAT ME WORRY?, they offer up two originals and a PAVEMENT cover. The cover is cool, but where the band shines is its other two offerings. “I Wanna Party With Bob?” is a friendly jab at the drummer of TILTWHEEL, who also hosts his own podcast called I Wanna Party With Bob. “Eckeled!” is the story of a houseguest overstaying their welcome. Fans of TOO MANY DAVES will find this very similar as the two bands share members, although I’d consider this more toned-down and less full-on party than the DAVES.