Two different recording sessions are mixed together here — one done in DC in ’85 by Ian MacKaye, and one done by BYO in LA in ’86. The DC sessions rock hard while maintaining that 7 SECONDS melodic appeal, while the LA tunes are decidedly more commercial sounding, with a U2 influence. Fortunately, 7 SECONDS makes even these tunes sound great live.
Yaaaaahhhhh!! Not since those hot MINOR THREAT releases has a record displayed so much charm that you become an alley cat howling at the moon in sheer excited pleasure. Well-placed melodies and sing-along harmonies sharply deliver 7 SECONDS to the forefront of energetic fun, and a quality production really adds credit to the Brandt brothers’ total dedication. Kevin’s songwriting and impelling vocals yodel the gigantic brilliance, while younger bro Steve plucks out the bass with rambunctious might, and the rest of the band knocks out another superior performance. This one’s stuck on my turntable.
This new English pressing of the infamous 12″ contains all the original tracks, and on the flipside there are six previously unreleased and one new song, all which were recorded live. The sound quality is fair for a live recording and it sounds very much like the vocals were overdubbed, and if that’s the case, the whole side loses credibility.
It’s tough to follow up their exceptional LP, but 7 SECONDS have done it again. These are the tracks recorded with Ian MacKaye in DC, and you can note the influence. All the pleasant harmonies and sing-alongs are present in full form, and the well thought-out lyrics that make this band what they are. A cover of “99 Red Balloons” ought to perk you up, but the other tracks are the real steadfast melodies. As usual, great stuff; get it while you can.
A bonus in issue #4 of England’s Black/White fanzine. Both songs (“Sink with California” and “Colourblind”) are already released, so the flexi itself should only interest collectors, but it’s good that someone took enough initiative to expose these two great US bands to a rather insulated British audience.
Older-style punk, aggressively done with inflections of thrash, Oi, and metal to break the overall medium-tempo feel. The vocals are literally spit out, and the high quality production gives the power chording a PISTOLS quality.
Combining tracks from their LP and 12″ (released in Europe), this domestic LP introduces their pop-punk sound to American audiences. From Switzerland (originally in a 70’s punk band SOZZ), these guys combine power and great tunes into an early CLASH-like sound. Excellent.
Is there such a thing as getting “BYOed”? While their latest release is pretty decent pop punk (at best they sounds like an American NEUROTICS), it’s a bit weak compared to the previous 7″. All the tunes are mid-to-slow paced, have very good lyrics, and I bet they really rock live. But at this point, they seem to be going the way of the RED ROCKERS.
Rigorous energy pushing the limits of power with knocking flurry and extreme excitement. One of the best Canadian releases in a long time, this album carries a weight of potent hardcore rhythms with some metallic riffs and overall variety of punk harmonies. Dynamic sing-alongs all combined with forceful vocals and an ensemble delivering well-produced goods. This is a scorcher.
The long awaited follow-up to their first LP is here and takes off where the other left. Classic SNFU songs are filled with catchy riffs, breaks, hooks, beats, howls, and laughs. These twelve songs rip from start to finish, and the band has yet to compromise their sound and ideas, and hopefully never will.
While some of the ferocity and offbeat humor of their debut EP is absent here, Winnipeg’s STRETCH MARKS still manage to come out with a creditable album. Breakneck thrashers like “Turnbuckle Stomp” and the title track are the standouts among these thirteen mid- to fast-speed punkers, though the cover of CREEDENCE CLEARWATER REVIVAL’s “Bad Moon [Rising]” also lives up to all expectations. A good basic record, aside from my perennial gripe about BYO’s sedate production.
TEARS FOR FEARS meets the ALARM meets the CURE meets FRANK SINATRA. This new band, formerly called YOUTH BRIGADE, has a new sound which will take most by surprise. The classic YOUTH BRIGADE sing-alongs in a different character and well-executed lyrics are combined with very complex creative music that in my book spells—CHEESY! The slick production and studio trickery will play an important part in helping this record be a major radio hit. What’s next, an MTV video? Progress, growth, or change…you decide for yourself.
I would’ve reviewed this, but after hearing two songs we winged it across the room in disgust, smashing it to fifty pieces. Unadulterated dance music bites the dust!
Great combination of crisp, hard-hitting, fast punk and funny upbeat comedy tunes. All the music is produced by talented West German musicians who keep their musical roots present throughout every song. The clean, excellent production only helps this twelve-song LP’s attack become stronger. Good stuff!
If you’re unfamiliar with the UPRIGHT CITIZENS, this domestic release is a collection of some of this German band’s finest stuff. Newly recorded, it exhibits the umph and stamina of a well-rehearsed band with exuberant rhythms and strong medium-paced melodies. A good dose of excellent stuff in the BYO tradition.
An anti-violence compilation from the kids at Better Youth Organization—the folks that put on shows at Godzillas. Features tracks from LA, Santa Barbara and San Diego bands SOCIAL DISTORTION, JONSES, Youth Brigade, AGRESSION, ADOLESCENTS, BLADES, BATTALION OF SAINTS, and BAD RELIGION. Strong album, but not as thrashed-out as one might expect—tending more toward the melodic, but still hard. Great production. Pick it up.
An excellent long-player’s worth of British Columbia’s current crop of bands. The NEOS appear with some previously released material, but the rest (AUTOMATIC SHOCK, CHRONIC SUBMISSION, JERK WARD, LSD, HOUSE OF COMMONS, RED TIDE, the INFAMOUS SCIENTISTS, SS TOP, DA JEEP, and the cool DAYGLO ABORTIONS) all chip in with new material, most of which is fine. Very little filler.
YOUTH BRIGADE pays some homage to their native land by including many excellent Canadian bands (the NILS, YYY, the UNWANTED, SNFU, PERSONALITY CRISIS, the YOUNG LIONS, ZEROPTION, the STRETCH MARKS, and DOA) on this collection, as well as some LA newcomers (RIGOR MORTIS, the TOURISTS) and veterans like the BIG BOYS, 7 SECONDS, KRAUT, CH3, and themselves. A good sampling.
A melodic charge of harmonious exhilaration and robust energetic stamina. YOUTH BRIGADE continues the sing-along flavor with excellent musical ensembles, a highly professional approach to delivering a strong drum beat, hypnotizing bass plucks, flowing guitar chords, and the maturing of Shawn’s crooning. Some might say pop-punk, but what is handled here is a fresh, creative sound that will enter the hearts of a wider generation.
The re-release of this LP, since the Stern brothers weren’t too happy with the first and were determined to put out a true quality product. Features only four songs off the first, and when these guys do something right, they go all out! This totally enjoyable slice of black vinyl is perhaps one of the best records money can buy. Lots of diversified touches, variations, and good harmonies from punk rap to hardcore speed and energy, which has all the melodies rumbling in your head. When you get bored of the rest, this performance will still reside on your turntable.
Great, great BYO follow-up release to their sampler LP—thrash with hooks and melodies, plus lyrics urging action, unity and spirit. Influenced by Oi, Dischord bands, SOCIAL DISTORTION, 7 SECONDS, but ultimately this is LA not DC.
