Radar Mercury - thankyou, goodnight - (review by Andy Malcolm) I'd almost liken this 7" to an episode of the Simpsons that you have seen a thousand times before. You know exactly what is coming next, but you kind of don't mind too much. So what? is the name of the game here. If you can imagine the sonic creation that would occur if you crossed any melodic punk rock band, for example: Jawbreaker, with any melodic pop punk band, for example: Get Up Kids, you get Radar Mercury. It's just... too obvious. Buzzing riffage, a few breaks, sappy lyrics, whiney vocals, some rock parts, and just so much predictability that you'll start thinking that you are the worlds greatest psychic medium. This 7" gives me deja vu. This 7" gives me deja vu. Actually, I do like the b-side flip "Danny Gomez?" as it is sooooo danceable, but the rest just stinks up so bad, that I hear they had to shut the Doghouse warehouse down to defumigate it. This is going to be a few peoples new favourite band. Sadly, not mine. Note: this is not emo. I repeat, this is not emo. Rating: 5.5/10 The Jabs - Time For Negligence CD - (review by Nadia Almashoor) One fine day you pick up a zine. The year is 1997. You jump to therecord reviews section. Your eyes scan 'The Jabs. Hardcore band fromSingapore. Sounding like old Strife'. You go "Wha!? Singapore has ahardcore scene?" Yes, it does. I've lived there for 1/2 my life andI've never heard of The Jabs. So I made contact some long lost friendsand got around to obtaining this CD. And it took me 30 seconds to turnthe stereo off. If it was a lousy stereo, I would've thrown it out ofthe window. Songs about 'Backstabbers and betraying trust and 'DrugsCan Be Deadly'. Oh, I didn't know that. One of the super rare timeswhen I wish I wasn't provided with lyrics. Awful vocals and music isway too predictable. Even for 1997. So now you're thinking "What thehell? Nadia doesn't know what she's talking about!" Alright, mate.This CD is yours for free, (yes free! Xmas is around the corner.) ifyou email me and name 3 releases from Strife. Fuckin, easy eh? Rating: "It could've been a lot better. I didn't really like it. Itwas pretty terrible. It was bad. It was awful. Get them away! Hey!Boooo!" NERDS, THE - I WANNA KILL YOUR PLASTIC SLUT EP - (review by Martin Brown) Ooh, this is nasty! 4 tracks of ANGRY SAMOANS / GG ALLIN stylee punksleaze with really sick lyrics, and fast riffs. This is dirty, mangy, sickpunk rock, and . . . it’s fucking brilliant!!! “Kill” and “Go Fuck Yourself”are out and out, fast as fuck punk songs that discuss vile things. Thecover of “I’m Gonna Rape You” by GG ALLIN is spot on (tip for bands: if you’re struggling for that track to end the record, do a GG cover. If you havethe talent of a dead rat and above it will automatically sound better thanthe original), and the Italian accents give it a strange, almost menacingair. How amazing is the Italian scene? And they’re sick bastards too -check the photos! Eeurgh... Rating: 8/10 Raw Poo - 3 Track Demo - (review by Martin Brown) Well well well!!! Ian seems to hate this band. Chris from Dragg seemsto also hate them... hell, does everyone hate RAW POO? No! Because I lovethem! Thus demo (with a photocopied sleeve with pics of Sooty on it, and atape that was recorded over a Commodore 64 game!!!) was given to me bySteve, the guitarist: “Have a shitty rehearsal room demo”. Well this is great!!It’s ruff as a gorilla’s arse but it captures what RAW POO are like live,which is ace. Their sound is so fun! The tracks are the classic “Noshin MeOff”, the jovial “I Can’t Stop Being Sick”, and the crowd fave “Mr Mushroom’sMagic Pants”. There’s even a secret track! “Noshin Me Off” is actually better than the TOTP Rejects version, because it’s live and seems to maintain that air of fun that the band have when they perform it. “ICan’t Stop Being Sick” is the cue for DISCHARGE to start suing their arses,but it’s still fucking cool! “Mr Mushroom’s Magic Pants” is of coursegreat, but in a more FYP way. The secret track is just so fucking funny!Basically, it’s a really slow thing with singer, Granny ranting over the top like Albert Steptoe! One of the best bands in Croydon, without a doubt,beacause their attitude is great and despite their lack of talent, their songsare ace. Fuck you all! Rating: 7/10 Palatka - The End of Irony - (review by Andy Malcolm) Want to know the weirdest thing in the world? It's when on track 1 of this emo violence / hardcore extravaganza, Alison from Discount starts doing backing vocals. That weirded me out, even though I knew beforehand that she was going to appear on this album. A bit more understandable is the presence of Mr. Chuck Ragan on another song. If he was a permanent fixture in this band, then, woah. Others: Travis from Moonraker, plus dudes from Strikeforce Diablo, 12 Hour Turn and End of the Century Party. It's a Florida who's who! But enough of that, how is the music? Well, I'd put this at a step above their split with Asshole Parade. The songs are still raging, quickfire bursts of slightly chaotic hardcore, with duel vocalists shouting and screaming out. Everything hammers a long super speedily, but without descending into the murky pit of noise that only bands like the Combatwoundedveteran are capable of surviving intact in. There are occasional bursts of emo hardcore a la Torches to Rome, but for the most part, this lot just set about tearing your head off without much regard for cleanliness. Basically, if you love stuff like End of the Century party, or just mad mad hardcore, then you'll enthuse over this record. Best song title: "Palatka kills young republican without even batting an eyelash". Best song: the one with Chuck on. You can't fail: hard hitting, fast, one sided red vinyl, crazy etchings, a poster, the infamous sample of Ian Mackaye denouncing 'emo-core' as a label - "I must say emo-core must be the stupidest fucking thing I've heard in my entire life...as if hardcore wasn't emotional in the first place". A fitting epitaph. Rating: 7.5/10 Fracture - discography - (review by Andy Malcolm) Forget the fact that Atom is in this band, he doesn't sing much, and you wouldn't know otherwise. Remember the fact that this is on No Idea, and that therefore it is almost guaranteed to be good. Lets narrow it down a bit. Some of the best pop punk out there comes courtesy of No Idea-ites, Radon and Fay Wray. And that's the exact direction that the best material on this discography CD is coming from, with the first 13 tracks being the best (those being the ones taken from their only album and a 7" - the liner notes here say "i think 500 of these were pressed, but it could have only been 300 (We were huge)"). The kind of free-wheeling poppy punk songs that are both super melodic, danceable, and crunchy at the same time, much like the stuff on Dillinger 4's compilation CD. The type of music that would have you just going off at a show, jumping about and running all around with a great big smile on your face. Particularly for the part where Atom wails "Leaving, on a jet plane! Don't know when I'll be back again!". The first 13 just fly by and are totally cohesive, not leaving you a second to pause for breathe. The reason they stand out from the pack, like D4, Radon and Fay Wray, is the top notch vocals, and the hundred and one neat little touches that they throw into songs to keep you unbalanced. Additionally, it sounds great loud, and after beer consumption. The last 6 tracks are much earlier efforts, and a lot weaker. They do some ska punk on these. But never mind. Fracture save pop punk! Really. Shame they split up 4 years ago. Rating: 8/10 Usurp Synapse - s/t - (review by Andy Malcolm) Woah, this is harsh, brutal stuff here, on the latest release from the seemingly faultless Witching Hour stable. The dainty 6" (another 33rpm-er for ya conspiracy theories Nadia!) comes wrapped in a complex scary package, featuring less than happy imagery, and a bizarre ziplock bag containing a piece of card with a rather strange piece of writing on it. Full marks indeed. Musically, if you can use that phrase, Usurp Synapse are playing their searing hardcore in an extremely crushing and fucked up way, one has to presume they are big Combatwoundedveteran fans, although they do have more structure than the vet. Like that would be hard. Instruments are played fast and painfully, screeching feedback inevitably introduces songs, then hoarsely screamed vocals tear it all up. Rather spookily, on "Truth About Pyecraft" they slide into a disturbingly pretty, if eerie, emo breakdown where the guitars get the twinkle on, but the drums keep pounding away. Coolest song title: "I Know A Guy Who Likes Dynamite". All the chaos kids will appreciate this one, that's fer sure. Rating: 8/10 I See Spots - Cantilevered Heart - (review by Mark Skold Recently I was just thinking to myself - 'man, I really need some moregood acoustic type music'. Solution: I See Spots. Now, this is a definite departure from Collective's usual taste ofpunk/emo/hardcore stuff, but then Andy did review 'Kiss Me' by SixpenceNone the Richer, so I guess we can all stray from the beaten path nowand then. I See Spots are a Virginia three-piece that plays a verytasteful blend of folk and modern rock, reminiscent to nothing I amfamiliar with. This is their second full-length release, and thesecond release on their own label, Arlingtone Records. According to the publicity package that came with the CD, this albumwas "written, recorded and mixed at home in no particular hurry.'Cantilevered Heart' pulls together cryptic lyrics that make you go'huh?' with heady scoops of hum, crunch and jangle". Very true. This 15 track sample of mellow tunes doesn't have too much in the wayof stand-out songs that, one could envision being released as a single andplayed on Top of the Pops. That being said, there are not really anysongs that you want to skip past. The whole album blends together verynicely, and is indeed, most pleasant to listen to. It's all done in afairly simple manner, with no super production or crazy specialeffects. Normally this would make a record boring to listen to, butthe reverb effects put on the vocals adds a definite atmosphere to thesound. It's difficult to give examples of other bands that I See Spots remindyou of, because there aren't that many. In the past they've beencompared to the likes of early REM and other 80's "jangle-pop bands". I see similarities to the Lemonheads playing Neil Young songs that hewrote while on heavy doses of Prozac. Nothing spectacular or groundbreaking here, but this is a nice record. Something from the mellower side of the street. Rating: 6.5/10 Planes Mistaken For Stars - Knife In The Marathon - (review by Andy Malcolm) Here's a newbie from Deep Elm, the label that produces the infamous "Emo" Dairies CD's (so called, because they milk the scene, ha ha). I'm sorry, I don't mean it really. Get past the annoying intro (I guess they are just not emo, emo bands don't do rock intros, they do twinkles) and the first track on here just plain smokes. Imagine if Hot Water Music decided to play fast. That's how it sounds. Just surefire solid gold hardcore influenced rock with throaty roars, nicely screamed backups, and a fair amount of pace. The vox here are just so much better than the 7". And it flows seamlessly into track 2 brilliantly. Without a pause. And rather quirkily, they sound a bit like Leatherface here. Really! Anyway, It's around this point that you're figuring on this little power packed EP being something rather special. And the same with the hard driving track 3, can't fault the thing so far, as much as I'd like to! 3 tracks of unbridled, powerful hardcore rock. Alas, things come sliding back down to earth on the dreary "Anthem". It has neither an interesting enough rhythm, or strong enough spoken vocals, to carry off whatever it's trying to achieve. I can't figure it out myself. Things are just about back on track by the time the next song comes a long, though it's a bit mid-paced, and they have gone back to the shitty vocals of yore. Save the best for last though - there is a bonus track which is rather rocking. Kinda superfast, screamy, heavy hardcore that is going to confuse the heck out of some kids, and have the more open minded ones rejoicing. Nice one. If they did a whole album like this, then this band would be totally fucking go! Here's a final Deep Elm tidbit for ya: Johnny Elm quite happily uses quotes from old positive Collective reviews of Deep Elm releases on his website, but he never asked permission, and he never sent us any freebies to say thanks either. Respect the label for their excellent treatment of bands, *sigh* at it for other reasons. Rating: 8/10 Twelve Hour Turn - The Victory Of Flight - (review by Andy Malcolm) Anyone familiar with 12HT might be a little surprised when they listen to this for the first time. I certainly was. Gone are those long drawn out emo hardcore gems, the light twinkles that would inevitably preceed the blazing downward spiral. In their stead are the shorter, faster, more full-on agressive stylings of this album. The songs are all typically 2 minute long blasts which is a little shocking! Either way, it still features the best screamo tandem currently in operation, and some of the best grooving guitars you'll hear (if you don't rock back and forth to "Second Story", you officially hate emo). The whole thing is still emo as fuck ("For Want Of A Real Whole" will fittingly tear you to pieces), but in a different style. Things are more chaotic my friend, and 12HT appear to be revelling in it. If you added a dash of Moss Icon and a spot of Torches to Rome to their previous music, plus the crazy and violent influence of a band like End of the Century Party, then you have the aural assault that is this new record. Only once do they ever suggest they are going to be anywhere near as pretty as they have in the past, on the incredible sort of Braid like "Little One", but they soon get impatient and go postal and are screaming your house down before you know it. Screw your face up tight and shake to the intensity. And there is a song called "Ghost Kitty". Aww. Twelve Hour Turn are setting standards, being streets ahead of the emo screamers, whilst at the same time embarrassing lot the hardcore emoters who garner significantly more publicity. And anyway, this is the kind of record I could listen to forever. See thru vinyl and fantastical art in subdued faded emo colours too. Rating: 9/10 Retarded - Judy Wants To Be My Girl - (review by Martin Brown) Oh my god, how amazing is this?! I was roused from my fits of tears atthe devastating news that Italian 3 chord gods, HOME ALONE had called it aday, and told that a new band had been formed by a bunch of ex HOME ALONEdudes. So, here we have RETARDED: a 6 legged punk rock machine, consisting ofMera, Paolo and Paco, who have spotty faces, leather jackets with fuckloadsof badges, ripped jeans & a cool logo with the words 'punk rock' in it.Good start. And the icing on the cake is that they fuck shit up with thepace, style and fun of the RAMONES with the great songwriting talent ofmodern QUEERS and the attitude of both bands put together. If you lovedRAMONES, INVALIDS, QUEERS, CONNIE DUNGS, etc., then you just need this recordlike you need oxygen. The songs are just unbelievable - THE perfect 3 chordpunk songs. How they can create such diverse qualities from the simplestformula possible makes me gawp in amazement. They sing in English too, which isa welcome relief. HOME ALONE rocked, but I couldn’t understand a word ofit! Italy is the place to be right now if you’re a 3 chord punk rocker, andRETARDED are the newly crowned leaders of the pack. They even have Ben Foster and the RAMONES in their thanks list!!! I’m just in love withthis! Rating: 9/10 Unknown, The - Puzzles 7" - (review by Martin Brown) Cool pop punk out of the States, pressed on a one sided, coloured 7".Noice! Yeah, I like this a lot. But the last two songs are live! Why?!Couldn’t they afford to go into the studio again? Nice, but I think if all 3 hadbeen studio, it would have benefited them more. Not really all that much tosay about it actually - cool, but THE IDIUTS are better. Rating: 6.5/10 V/A - New Wave Of Chas N Dave! CD - (review by Martin Brown) I had to be physically restrained after hearing this album! I amfinding it hard to type right now, I am just laughing soo much!!!! The punk rock tribute to Chas n Dave! Yeeees! Only Spanking Herman could have thoughtof this! BUS STATION LOONIES, CHESTER, EASTFIELD, THE BLUE MINKIES, AGE OFCHAOS, ANAL BEARD & THE NORMA JEANS are all burrrilliant! BUT thehighlight is undoubtedly WAT TYLER’s drum n bass / techno / dance / whateverversion of "Rabbit"!! Obviously, the quality is mish-mash, but the idea is so original, it deserves all the congrats I can heap upon it - I cannotstop laughing! Rating: 7/10 Red Scare - Capillary Lockdown - (review by Andy Malcolm) Ooh, they have circuit diagrams on the labels on the record, reminds me of the Portraits of Past insert. Hey whatever, this is another hardcore record brought to you courtesy of those fine people at Hand.Held.Heart, previously purveyors of an Orchid 7", and the Volume 11 12". So yes, does this record fucking rock or what? I've regularly seen Red Scare compared to Angel Hair, but I don't get that at all. This is rampant, chaotic hardcore that totally grooves. There are manic screamy vocals but it's also some of the most structured, yet inventive music I've come across of it's kind. Style companions are definitely bands like Harriet the Spy and Party of Helicopters, but perhaps with some of the more brutal leanings of Orchid and End of the Century Party. From the spastic rock out of previously released "Jet Set", to the incredible break down of the riotous "12 Years Past", this is all just total goodness. The final instrumental track has a spooky sample of a woman speaking in German. Reminds me of the time Danny Baker played something that sounded like a robot speaking in German, then said: "Shh! Everybody, shh! Shh! Listen! The ghost of Himmler is in the radio!". Neat millenium bug themed song too called "Device fo Annihilation" - "The sequence of events only matters as soon as the lights go out. Two thousand equals one nine hundred". This was recorded back in January at Inner Ear. Fitting now that it comes out in December as one of the years best albums. If you're predicting the end of the world, get this now on vinyl, or if you're predicting a happy new year, wait till February when the CD version comes out on Troubleman. But either way, just make sure you own this one. Repeated consecutive plays is a certainty. Rating: 9/10 the Dismemberment Plan - Emergency and I - (review by Shawn) Avant-garde pop and indie rock connoiseurs take note. Although you probably already have this record, it is amazing. Its no surprise J.Robbins was at the helm of this. It feels like a pop band has listened to everything from jazz to emo violence, has found their niche in indie pop and recorded it. From crazy sounds on track one to echoes, "if i dont have sex by the end of the week i am going to die" in track 7. Whether you like the Promise Ring or think they are too mindless(for you "they are so unintelligent and boring" bunch) this is for you. The Dismemberment Plan realeased two albums on Desoto, got signed to Interscope, released one Ep (which is also highly recomended), got dropped and have regrouped and gone back to Desoto. No major changes throughout the way but this is obvious progression. Its pop that isn't scared to scream. It's like a metal band that has no problem playing acoustic (e.g. Cave In). In my mind any band that will not live up to what is expected of a particular type of music is great. Get t-h-i-s. Rating: 8.5|10 DBS - Some Boys Got It, Most Men Don't - (review by Shawn) Well, well, these four "boys" have really progressed. From being childhood punks they have evolved into 4 very talented songwriters. This record ranges in styles, from emo-punk, hardcore, muted trumpet acoustic ballads, to straight out metal ala Converge. This would seem like a record that does not flow well and is confused, but DBS pull it off briliantly. The lyrics are very well written, comparisons to Jawbreaker can easily be made while not coming off as the least bit...ridiculous. A great record by all means. No matter which kind of music you like, it would be impossible to listen to this and not see real talent and musicianship. rating:9|10 Vue - The Death of a Girl - (review by Shawn) Rock and roll saved my soul and Vue is here to redeem it. Take the few good aspects of classic rock and roll, multipy them and you have Vue. They were formerly the Audience but due to legal bullshit have changed the name to this. I dont know about the name but...this is damn good. Problems - it's too short and some of the songs are weak. I could listen to the last two tracks over and over (of which were previously on the young soul 7" but that is now out of print). I can assure you this is not for everyone. Fans of Echo and the Bunnymen, Radio Berlin, and even the Make Up could find this to their liking. They are now touring up the west coast so don't miss 'em. Also they are touring with a band called Hot Hot Heat and if you ever seeanything of theirs of have them come to your town, do not miss them either. Sorry I'm offtopic. Look for Vue's upcoming full length on Sup Pop (die!) in the new year. I've heard already its much better than the Ep, lets hope so. rating: 7.5|10 v/a - Punk Rock Disc 3 - (review by Martin Brown) What could be better! We break up for Christmas, I’m just about to sitdown to my revision, and suddenly Punk Rock Disc 3 drops through myletterbox!! Better review it then. Vanilla Pod’s song, "Last Level Coming" is, Ithink, the first new release since their CD. This is a different beastaltogether, far more anthemic than the stuff on "Faster Disco", which if anythingshows a lot more maturity in the band’s sound. I may learn to adore thistrack. Sunfactor’s song (credited as "And the Rain Fell Down", although it’sbeen previously released as "The Rain that Fell Today") is probably my favesong of theirs. The guitars swirl together, the vocals are just right andyou’re left feeling relaxed and awed at the same time. Ending side A is MosEisley’s "Indifference", which is heavy, abrasive, gritty, pop punk in the styleof pogo-pop bands like The Rezillos. This is a great change from the twomore intense songs, and I know that a lot of people will hate it, but for meit’s one of the best on the disc. Starting side 2 are the golden boys of thescene I belong to. I do of course refer to Croydon; I do of courserefer to Grand Central. Their song (the amazing "Solid State Memory") is lifted straight from the demo, and I can’t deny that I did feel a little fullof myself when I finally heard the band who I first recommended to Richpressed on one of his singles. But enough. The song is superb, but then youknow that. Onto UK pop punk act, Lovejunk, who are on snotty, chuggy, andpretty fucking decent form with their dirty rock n roll song, "Let it Slide".And finally, closing it off are the brilliant Scottish pop punk band, Turtlehead, who get a prize for being the first band I’ve heard tocover "Hey Suburbia" by Screeching Weasel and not murder it. If anything,this version is pretty damn special, complete with tempo change, and extra backing vocal bits! In conclusion, this is leaps and bounds ahead ofDisc 2: the American accents are gone, the songs have been polished, andeverything is beautiful! Thanks Rich!! Rating: 8.5/10 At the Drive In - Vaya - (review by Andy Malcolm) These guys seem to be going absolutely super nova at the minute, very popular indeed. And having enjoyed their last full length, I thought I'd pick this one up too. And rather excited I was by the first few seconds, a nice blippy, drum'n'bassy Joan of Arc style intro. Wow, they have changed! Not to last though, as soon they were into their hardcore influenced rock they are on the road to perfecting. The opening track is pretty damn great, melodic and tuneful with stop-start emo riffing, a nice twinkly breakdown and underlying keyboards that certainly add an extra element to their sound. The vocals are shoutily sung in that kinda Rage Against the Machine type way that the singer has. Track 2 strides up to the plate with a great rock'n'roll intro of rumbling bass, urgently spoken vocals, and rolling drums. Then it ups the rock quota and starts blasting a long at a fair old pace. "Ursa Minor" has some Jehu like quirkiness, but also some great melody and more of those cool keyboards. Things keep up the rock on track 4, a toe tapping belter. It's weird, cos I've played this a few times now and I never really got into it. But this time, oh yes, it's really hitting me in the right spot. We also have the spacey, "Metronome Arthritis" which has some extremely weird parts indeed, and a superb breakdown into some Boilermaker style indie rock. Man, I only just realised how much of their guitar style on this EP is similar to the faster Boilermaker songs. And the melancholy final song is similar to some of their slower ones. Whatever. Anyway, Check these lyrics: "quick to the throat in this ink cartridge funeral, mrable caps lock zip code affiliate". Pardon? And why the backwards vocals on "300 MHz"? That just weirds me out totally. It makes it sound like he says "fuck" a lot and is very much out of breathe. There are a couple of weaker songs on here. At least, that's what I was gonna say before this time around for listening. Maybe there is one. Maybe none. My bad. I dunno, I was gonna say maybe unless you're an ATDI fan, save your cash and get the split 7" with Burning Airlines next year. But then again, if you haven't heard them then this would also serve as the perfect intro to a band you oughta hear whilst they are heading towards what'll probably be their peak. And it is on lovely winter sky blue 10" vinyl after all. Rating: 8/10 Snapcase vs Boy Sets Fire - (review by Ian Cavell) Two tracks from each band and while I would be willing to bet a number of my body parts on the Boy Sets Fire songs being nothing short of spectacular, I wasn't totally sure what Snapcase were gonna do with their share of the CD. And given the number of negative comments I'd heard about this band I was pleasantly surprised to discover some pretty awesome hardcore lurking within. I suppose, like BSF, they posses a slight metallic edge to their hardcore but that’s fine by me. If the truth be told this is rocking hardcore and not too far removed from BSF and their more aggressive deliveries. And on to Boy Sets Fire. Two previously unreleased songs from what I can gather and they're just as powerful as the songs that made up the In Chrysalis EP. Well, maybe the metal/noise fest that is 'channel' isn't quite up to the usual BSF grade but its still pretty cool when you pissed at the world and feel the need to grit your teeth and/or smash something. But its the stunning 'unspoken request' which is the real gem here. Capturing the uneasy conflict between pure aggression and melody (god that last line sounds like a Kerrapp! review) this is absolutely amazing. Snapcase are good, Boy Sets Fire are awesome but why, oh, why did they have to go and ink a deal with Victory? Rating : 8.5/10 The Propagumbhis - how to bomb everything - (review by Ian Cavell) At last, the Propagumbhis commit some tunes to CD. I'd already been won over by a totally great gig they played at the 'intimate' Voltz down in Southampton - a gig where so many people turned up the STE had to put a little 'sold out' sign on the door. But then again, our living room is probably bigger than Voltz so don’t get too excited. Anyway, this is three tracks of ska-punk courtesy of Fuxony records (took me ages to get that joke, hmm - how slow) which should, but unfortunately doesn't quite, hit the mark. There are a number of rocking points to this CD (and the slim, "chart music" style case is definitely NOT one of them). For starters, they cover 'Good Guys Don't Wear White' and they're own songs posses the kind of clued up, insightful lyrics that you don't always associate with ska-punk. But, for some reason, the music kind of passes me by. Maybe they have better songs. Maybe after such a great live show my expectations were too high, I don't know. I just didn't connect with this in the way I thought I would. Shame. Rating : 6.5/10 Servo / Lovemen - (review by Ian Cavell) Rumblestrip's latest release is an absolutely gorgeous split 7" between Japanese emotional punker's Lovemen and Newcastle's favourate pop punk combo, Servo. Oddly enough Rumblestrip have opted for that 'big holed' 7" format that turns up from time to time. Which meant I had to spend the best part of an hour looking for the little circular piece of black plastic that came with the turntable before I could listen to the thing. Worth the wait though? Definitely! First up are the Lovemen who can be summed up in just two words : FUCKING AMAZING! Two awesome songs that are just so much better than anything on the last album - especially the 2nd song which just blows me away. Think melodic punk, "Snuffy" style, with lovely jangly guitar parts (note : not emo) and catchy chorus sing-a-longs. Lyrics still get a little muddled (examples : "a man changes expression" and "I go to town of daybreak of grey, with no face") but you can work out what they mean (most of the time anyway). One day these guys will write an album that matches the quality of this 7" and that of the older Rugger Bugger split. When that day arrives they will be hailed (by me) as the best band Japan has ever seen. Until then Blew gets to keep the badge but I'll still be playing the 7"s. Servo have the honour of gracing the b-side (or AA if you wanna be pedantic). And they do a fine job too. A lot of people really seem to hate this band but I don't know how anyone can fail to appreciate catchy pop-punk when it's done this well. And the people who do like them always compare them to Discount which is also very odd because they have little in common bar the fact that both bands have a girl on vocals. Are we that short of female fronted bands that we have to stretch comparisons to extremes? Anyway, both tracks are good, the 2nd is slightly more melodic and earns itself a bigger chunk of my respect. I'm gonna go and change my top 10 records of this year because there is no way this is gonna miss out. Rating : 9/10 the Unknown - Puzzles 7" - (review by Ian Cavell) Ok, so Martin only reviewed this the other day - but Aston was kind of enough to send us a copy (a lovely sky blue coloured, single-sided 7" at that) so here's another review : Somewhere along the line I'd heard one or two ALL/Descendents comparisons thrown in the direction of the Unknown. That alone is enough to get me excited but the first track, 'Puzzles', is more like the ramones-ey three chord type stuff that I don't get on with all that well. Its also got those annoying "wah ha ha hah" vocals too which sucks. The two live tracks are a lot better though. 'Never be the Same' has got the melodic ALL kind of sound while 'My Friends' is more in line with the Descendents brand of frantic pop-punk (shit I'm getting lazy with these reviews). I've got to say that neither song is amazing but they're good enough that I'm tempted to check out one of the many album's that are floating around at the moment. I will say this though, there are a number of people who are absolutely besotted with this band so maybe there's something here that I'm missing. Rating : 6/10 The crimson curse- both feet in the grave VHS - (review by shawn) Yet another band from the San Diego 'scene'. Everyone knows them so I'lljust go on to the video itself. This video almost puts you in the homein which this takes place. From what I can see, its Halloween. The fridgemagnets spell out something along the lines of "happy Halloween fucking" (sorryI cant remember exactly). The video lasts 20 minutes, not making it seem short, but letting the viewer watch it several times repeatedly. Itsgreat everytime. The guitarist is totally nude, which will offend some, butsuits the mood well in my opinion. Some say they should have kept the first showshown on the video where they are all dressed. I guess I shouldelaborate. There is one song from a previous show and a full show on halloween. Nonetheless this is a great, funny video. For all you completeists, thecurse members went on to form the locust, tristeza and the album leafamong others. San diego kids are crazy. And damnit I like the damn music. Rating: 9|10 Ninetynine / Ersatz- split 7" - (review by shawn) This is the first of a 10 edition 7" series put out by the australianlabel project icarus. I expecting some good keyboard influenced pop,hardcore, punk music. Here I got mellow atmospheric pop. Don’t get me wrong thisis good but im looking forward more to bands like slaves, hot hot heat,red monkey, submission hold, radio berlin and a slew of others. As abonus, subscribers get a button from each band in the series, as well a posterand such. A very good deal. I’d encourage checking out the page at http://www.geocities.com/radioone_online/main.html Both bands put out good mellow pop, with ersatz using an accordionwhich creates a neat effect. I wouldn’t highly recommend this 7" but the onesto follow I can already whole heartedly do so. Rating: 6|10 Acrid / Left For Dead Buzzsaw 12" - (review by Nadia Almashoor) 2 bands from Canaduh that will be sadly missed. And what other way todo it than release a split 12" in a shape of a buzzsaw on mint greenvinyl. I was hoping it'd be in bloody red but I'm not complainingeither. Probably in future this record will serve the purpose of aself defense weapon but as of now this will be spinning on 4500 r.p.mon my player. Acrid had current members of Grade and here are 4 tracks that are moreor less similar to those on their 'Eighty-Sixed' album. For thoseunaware of how Acrid sound like, you could probably give Reversal ofMan's 'Revolution Summer' a shot and deepen up the vocals to make itsound like as if he's roaring. And for those unaware of Reversal ofMan, probably try Converge. Yeah, everybody knows Converge. And if youdon't know Acrid if you're a Converge fan, then shame on you!!! Left For Dead had Jeff from Acrid. Anywho, LFD barges forward with9 tracks that all are anthems on it's own. They all sum up to oneword. Hardcore. There shall be no comparisons as they are the basisfor comparisons. 'Goodbye and Fuck You All' as they say it. Rating: This is HardCore. 28 Days - Kid Indestructible - (review by Nadia Almashoor) Hailing from Melbourne, Australia, 28 Days is probably one of the bestlocal bands around. They're really reaching their peak and it's abouttime I give them a word up. This 5 track CDep is probably the most diverse ever. It's not hip hop.It's not punk rock. It's not hardcore. It's not pop. It's uhm...ohwell, let's go with each individual track and what I make of it. Rating: 9.5/10 (coz there ain't lyrics, yo.) v/a - the My Pal God Holiday Record - (review by Andy Malcolm) This is like the biggest missed opportunity of all time. Here's how it should have gone: Get a bunch of indie rock stars and unknowns together and get them to cover Christmas songs or write their own. Instead, it backfired like hell and they ended up including some total bollocks punk rock songs and a few seemingly non-Christmassy connected tracks that ruin the mood. Here goes: So, a mixed bag. And how they could even think of issuing this without including Cap'n Jazz's "Winter Wonderland" is beyond me. So, um, yeah. Merry Christmas my friend, see you in the year 2thou should we make it out the other side. Rating: 6.5/10 - 10 for city on filmmy pal bod (i think that's a better name, bod was cool) CHEEK - S/T demo - (review by Martin Brown) Croydon's Cheek (formerly known as Arse!!!) have cleared out of thestudioand recorded a demo in their drummer's bedroom!! Before there are anysnidethoughts about sound quality - shut it! The quality is ace. The factthatthe band had unlimited time to record has brought out an almost totallynewapproach. Whilst Arse's stuff was like a punker Jon Spencer, this isfarmore diverse. Keyboards, drum machines and samples have been used;effectshave changed the complexion of some of the tracks, and often it soundsmorelike Trans AM than a punk band. "Uncle Pete" is a re-working of theArsetrack "Your Mum", only instrumental and... weird! "When You're DeadYou'reDirt" is back to the old formula, and is already a live classic. "Us"isone of the best tracks on the demo, sounding like a funky Trans AM, asdoes"Work It". However, the jewel in the demo's crown is the live fave "RayHardarse". Sounding far more like Jon Spencer, it brings out the bestinCheek's sound: the funky basslines, cool drums, jangly guitar, and thedistinctive harmonica - with a dosage of everything else thrown in fortheride. Releases like this have to be really heard several times to gaugeanaccurate opinion. Me? I love it!! My Favorite Citizen - s/t - (review by Andy Malcolm) This is from 1997, but not to worry, as it's great. MFC ripped off the Get Up Kids mixed with Promise Ring sound before anyone even thought about it. Actually, they ripped it off before those bands put out their 1st and 2nd albums respectively. Clever eh! "Perforated Heart" is just lovely bouncy emo-pop with a great big thick, rumbling bassline carrying it a long, and duel whiney vocals a la Mid Carson July providing the singage. And to say it works perfectly is an understatement. Very much in a style that would be half way between the first two Promise Ring albums. Just totally music that makes you dance and skip around going "la la la". They hold the key to the secret of writing the perfect emo pop song: cute, catchy, and use the bass like it's a real instrument. On the flip is "Trans-Hudson", which is more blissful, mid-paced, early P-Ring pop. This is actually horrifically similar to any number of "30 Degrees Everywhere" songs come to think of it, but if that is the kind of thing you complain about, you're a dork. No-one rips off early P-Ring these days, so it's refreshing. They even have rings on the cover art. Sorry guys, but I didn't need the hint. Damn lovely stuff, they'd have been huge if they hadn't split up. So here's two songs that'll, um, make you think about nice people. Heh. Rating: 8.5/10
chienmaison
Straits.
Scarey, c/o Carlo Calemme, via Galleria 32/1, 10025 Pino T.SE (TO),Italy.
no idea, po box 14636, gainesville, florida, 32609, usa
no idea, po box 14636, gainesville, florida, 32609, usa
witching hour
arlingtone
deep elm
no idea, po box 14636, gainesville, florida 32604, usa
Mama Ho Perso L’aegro, c/o Paolo Nardi, via Gamalero 19, 27058 Voghera(PV), Italy.
Boss Tuneage (aston@bosstuneage.freeserve.co.uk)
Spanking Herman (paul@spankingherman.freeserve.co.uk)
hand.held.heart, 24445 lisa kelton pl, newhall, ca 91321, usa
Speedowax, PO Box 1573, Bilston, WV14 9WD
fearless
Equal Vision
Fuxony / Spanking Herman, PO Box 2927, Brighton, Sussex, BN1 3SX, UK
Email paul@spankingherman.freeserve.co.uk
Rumblestrip
Boss Tuneage, PO BOX 19550, London, SW11 1FG, UK
Email Aston
project icarus
No Idea, P O Box 14636 Gainseville, Floriduh 36204-4636. Never Give Up - reminiscent of By The Grace of God and has recordscratching samples in between. And it sounds way ace!
Probably the best release to check out for the 28 days novice. (likemyself). Their latest release is a split cd with New Zealand band,Somerset. And I know I should get that but unfortunately I'm too busychasing after 'obscure "emo"' bands from '91 but hey! I'll still keeprocking to this one and you will too.
. La Tune - Ooh this is so pop and melodic! You're my Lois Lane andI'm your Superman". Yes, "this is a love song..." Get Up Kids will beso jealous.
. The Right Place - mix the punk of Beastie Boys and the rock of RageAgainst The Machine. Leaves you head boppin'-knee shakin'-buttmovin'-toe tappin...Whoo!
. Kid Indestructible - Has that typical guitar riffs that Revelationwill cry for. And those crunches that Victory will beg for. And yetthey can still include those record scratching samples. How do thehell do they do it?!
. Kool - Ahh. The best track to round it up. This is more like in theveins of La Tune. "And what made you think that I'm so kool..." willhave you swinging left to right to left and singing a long in no time.
Sputnik
your best guess, united states post office box 64, denville, nj 07834, usa
Le Tigre - s/t cd - (review by Nadia Almashoor) Le Tigre is French for the tiger. But the band is American, ya know?Girl trio (feauturing Kathleen Hanna [responsible for Bikini kill andJulie Ruin]) hammering it up in immense go-go style. Delicious. Thisis all too new for me as I seldom take an interest in female vocals. Rating: 9/10 the Sea Scouts - s/t - (review by Nadia Almashoor) An excellent offering from this Tasmanian trio. (Tasmania is inAustralia by the way.) I'm really glad that I didn't miss out on themwhen they were on Melbourne shores and it seems that the show Iattended was one of the lasts. I just stood there, awestrucked, mouthgaping wide. My brain yelling "Oh Good Lord!!! Where the hell have Ibeen?" The energy and heavenly vocals of guitarist Tim Evans, theinterrupted screams of bassist Alex Pope and the hypnotic drumming ofMonika Fikerle. She sure brings the house down! All this proven in the2 songs here. When I first heard it, I thought the recording was awfulbut now I realize it's way beyond perfect. It brings out the exact"lo-fi" feel. One of my friends once explained to me : "...lo-fi iswhen u record in an 'expensive' studio and distorted duringmastering..." Indeed. Side A features 'Word As A Weapon'. The moment the guitar riffs startrolling in, and the drums start pounding, ya know for certain thatthis is is gonna rock. I can't seem to find a comparison for them.Perhaps, early Unwound. (another band not to be missed) But the scoutsare in a genre of their own. And the lyrics. Oh gosh. Their lyrics....Pierces through my heart. Stabbing it again and again and again....Side B thunders along with 'Destroy Your Local MacDonald's'. Aboutcapitalism and the seed for greed. A tremendous roller coaster ride ofa track that I wish lasted forever. And Evans echoing insane...in sane..in..say..ane.... Rating : the best 7" of 1999.
Wiiija Records
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