Reviews

No Chance Berlin

Dead Moon Maybe Baby / Out of Time 7″

Showcasing a live recording from the spring of 1988, this record has two cover songs from a young DEAD MOON on a big-hole 45. Recorded about a year into the band’s storied twenty-plus year career, the A-side features Fred Cole’s warbled croon taking on BUDDY HOLLY’s “Maybe Baby,” and the flipside is a stripped-down rendition of the ROLLING STONES’ “Out of Time.” Pressed on colored vinyl in a disheartening yellow-grey hue, this one is recommended for true MOON-heads only.

Top Down Backyard Thunder LP

Third full-length LP from Berlin trio TOP DOWN, who clamor out effortless garage punk with anthemic choruses, my favorite being “Broken Hearts.” They play scratchy guitar riffs, steady-as-ever drum and bass, and seemingly lazy, yet perfectly placed, vocals that groan and crack, reminiscent of Fred Cole. Would highly recommend this for fans of that desperate, lo-fi garage sound.

Nunofyrbeeswax / Top Down Diggin’ in the Dirt / Deep Thoughts split EP

With only two tracks on one side of an EP, NUNOFYRBEESWAX makes sure to leave their mark. They’re garage punk with a more unique edge. “Deep Thoughts” sounds more stripped-down in terms of sound, but in a great, punky way. I loved the tempo change in the middle of “André el Gigante,” which was much slower and led to a smooth transition into the fading out of guitar at the end of the song (not to mention, some sharp-witted lyrics). These guys are definitely worth checking out.