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JELLO BIAFRA AND THE GUANTANAMO SCHOOL OF MEDICINE - Tea Party Revenge Porn LP
News of this album was a real surprise when it hit last summer amidst the chaos of the pandemic and the election news
piquing my curiosity. Thus, when I learned that, even though physical formats wouldn't be out until 2021, that you could download
or stream it before the election I took the plunge. On their latest album Jello Biafra and the Guantanamo School of Medicine
does a sonic deep dive into underground rock where a blend of hardcore punk, noise, early hard rock as a springboard into
an aural commentary on the world around us. Singing of topics such as [soon to be former] electoral vote winner Donny, the
effect of conspiracy theories on our culture, people's obsession with selfies, the pro forced childbirth movement's fascination
with violence and christian nationalism among others, the songs are driving and powerful with some twists the listener might
not expect at times. Add to this lyrical commentary that combines anger, humor, and a need for change and this is one of those
albums that grabs you by your collar (whether sta-prest or not) and demands a reaction. It was a real shock to learn of this
record but I guarantee that the wait since their last album, 2013's White People and the Damage Done, was more than worth
it. At the very least you should search for it and give it a listen but I highly encourage you to get a physical copy afterwards.
(BOONE)
(Alternative Tentacles Records. P.O. Box 419092. San Francisco, CA 94141-9092. USA. alternativetentacles.com)
CORIKY - LP
This was an album I hoped to really check out as soon as it came out but life, the pandemic, and obligations related
to the paying job caused it to fall through the cracks with me unable to listen until finally getting some time near the year's
end. Coriky's self-titled album lays down a sparse moody blend of underground rock with bittersweet guitar that walks the
line between clean and overdriven guiding a rhythm section that leaves plenty of room to breathe throughout. Their songs are
moody observations on the world around them, both small and big picture lyrically. While there are hints of free jazz and
noise drawn into the mix the songs remain melodic with a simmering vibe that often lets the tension build until ready to explode
yet remains in control throughout. Yes, with current and former members of the Evens and the Messthetics as well as one of
the most pioneering groups in punk rock whose name you probably already have guessed by now there's a legacy hanging over
this band but the music acknowledges that without fully trying to repeat the past or be a nostalgia act. Coriky's debut may
bring about a number of reactions but those willing to listen with an open ear and open mind will find something here that's
hopefully the start of an interesting sonic journey. Now I'm just kicking myself for not getting around to listening to this
earlier. (BOONE)
(Dischord Records. 3819 Beecher St. NW. Washington, DC 20007 USA. dischord.com)
DEAD SISTER - download EP
This came our way just around the time of the 28th anniversary issue hit the stands so I had to wait for some free time
amidst the six day weeks I was scheduled at the paying job to truly check this out. The debut from Dead Sister lays down
semi short sharp blasts of noise pop that at times touched on post punk and early 80s death rock. Reverb ladled vocals slide
over sonic slabs of noise built on distorted guitar, dissonant leaning effects, and for the jugular rhythms that seem to lie
in a gray zone between live drums and a drum machine create songs that take the listener on a surreal journey These songs
are personal yet come off obtuse and a little unsettling at moments walking the thin line between hooks and noise along the
way. With a rough around the edges production approach, the songs have an edge to them that calls the punk/early death rock
(what people now call goth) ethos but use a modern sensibility to put their own spin on the sound in this five song aural
calling card. For a band that seemed to come from nowhere they have created something that should pique interests for punks
and fans of death rock alike. Wonder if they'll play live down the road once COVID is under control. (BOONE)
(deadsister.bandcamp.com)
RAE FITZGERALD -Lonely Listener cassette EP
I was hoping to check this out a couple of months back but the schedule at the paying job kept me busy so I wasn't able
to listen to this until now. Rae Fitzgerald's latest EP is a small batch of personal songs about loneliness and longing that
draw heavily on indie and touches of folk but also venture into experimental textures at moments. With Rae's vocals and electric
guitar as the main focus sonic beds emerge under each track that range from minimal with tons of breathing room to aural space
journeys and back, create an aural picture underneath that doesn't distract from the vocals. It's an airy sonic ride that
gently takes the listener into a different space and lets them come along for the ride. While Lonely Listener is a bit different
sonic ride but preserves the essence of Rae Fitzgerald as an artist and takes it down another path. (BOONE)
(Cassette available from: Tell Em. Tapes. P.O. Box 10223. Columbia, MO 65025. tellemtapes.com. Download [and second printing
of cassettes if Tell Em is sold out] available from: raefitzgerald.bandcamp.com)
JACK GRELLE - If Not Forever LP
I'd been meaning to listen to this for a while but was hoping the pandemic would be over in just a few months so I could
pick it up at a show. Since that didn't happen I took the plunge and listened to it on a stream online before snagging a copy.
On his latest Jack takes things down a sonic journey that's often more mid-tempo and simmering than his earlier work (though
there are some points where he heads to straight-up rock'n'roll) with acoustic guitar returning to prominence and in some
point horns. This time around the songs are a bit personal taking on owning up to mistakes, failed relationships, the limits
and delusions of upward mobility along with larger picture topics such as class/white flight in the St. Louis metro area and
homelessness. Jack's blend of folk, country, blues, and rock elements builds a sonic background that calls to mind the late
60s/turn of the 70s country that hints at progressive country with a songwriter's attitude rather than an eye for what's on
country radio these days. While several of these songs have been live staples for a couple of years much of the music here
shows Jack adding new textures and nuances to his art and leading the listener along with him. It's been out for a while (and
momentum for Jack, like most artists, was put on hold due to the pandemic) but readers into roots and country music will still
find a lot to appreciate and like when they give this album a listen. (BOONE)
(jackgrelle.com)
MR. AND THE MRS. - Seaside with Mr. and the Mrs. EP
I know this came out a while back but I hadn't had a chance to fully check this out until recently when I got a copy of
the seven-inch. "Heavy Debbie" kicks this off with a stripped down slab of garage rock built on primitive drumming
and an overdriven melody riff that carries it. On the flip side "Look What Just Washed Up On The Shore" is an ominous
instrumental that puts a surf rock melody under the waves with crunchy chords and some reverb to create a sense of danger
just beneath the surface. Add to this separate bonus tracks on the 7" and cassette version (a cover of the Rolling Stones'
Nanker Phelge penned track "Stoned" on the vinyl and the original full force punk rock sonic battle cry "Fuck
Cops" on the cassette) and this EP becomes a rough snarling piece of music that mirrors that hints unintentionally at
the summer of discontent that was to come while not breaking the theme of the record. By once taking fuzzy garage rock to
its roughest roots and slapping some punk attitude onto it Mr. and the Mrs. create a record that's part soundtrack to an unreleased
drive-in B movie (the 7" I received has a 3-D cover - with the red and blue lensed cardboard glasses included) and part
modern reaction to rock music and the apathy it seems to exhibit from both a musical and cultural standpoint. Glad I finally
got to hear this in time for the year-end issue and see what's up. (BOONE)
(Vinyl and download version available from: mrandthemrs.bandcamp.com. Limited edition cassette (run of 25) available
from Tinker Tapes and Records. tinkertapes.bandcamp.com)
NAPALM DEATH - Throes of Joy In The Jaws of Defeatism LP
As summer ventured into fall news of this album would be one of the more interesting spots in a time where most people
were still trapped due to COVID-19 and a lot of life as we know it was curtailed. On their new album Napalm Death scorch through
the speakers with some incendiary grindcore mixed with just the right amount of extreme metal and noise elements. Relentless
rhythms and heavy (though occasionally clean when it can be weaponized) guitars that meld into a ferocious aural attack that
refuses to let up. This is the sonic backdrop for the band's attacks on misinformation, greed, manipulation, and the weaponizing
and exploitation of people's fear among other issues in the world around us. While the band does occasionally take an unexpected
detour with different guitar dynamics or an unexpected texture in a song here or there they generally go full throttle and
refuse to let up as the album progresses. Add to this a couple of bonus tracks (including a cover of Sonic Youth's "White
Kross" which was a B-side to the "Logic Ravaged By Brute Force" single earlier this year) and it's an overall
unstoppable juggernaut. Napalm Death again manages to carve its way into the sonic consciousness with a sense of sonic power
and lyrical awareness. In a truly just world they would be a moderate rotation rock radio staple but, for now, they remain
proof that the truly hard and ferocious music needs to be sought out. This band remains one of grindcore's standard bearers
and will continue to shock those who think the stuff on action rock radio is the heavy stuff. (BOONE)
(Century Media)
SOULSIDE - "This Ship"/"Madeline Said"
One of the bigger surprises of the past few years is the reunion of DC punk band Soulside with news of them touring Europe
so when I learned off this single I had to listen. On this seven inch Soulside re-emerges with some simmering underground
rock with driving rhythms and medium fast heavy guitars."This Ship" starts off with seemingly uncontrolled feedback
and evolves into an assured sonic commentary on the violence, hate, and nationalism in the world around us. "Madeline
Said" on the flip side is a slightly more mid-tempo as it focuses on a person's struggle to get by and mistakes made.
The included download has a bonus track that carried on the band's simmering take on punk rock. Soulside doesn't pick up
as if nothing happened but comes off here as a band that lets what they've learned in the past 30 or so years and harnesses
it to created an assured muscular punk audio experience. Good to see Soulside back and playing music again after way too
long. (BOONE)
(Dischord Records. 3819 Beecher St. NW. Washington, DC 20007 USA. dischord.com)
WAR ON WOMEN - Wonderful Hell LP
As the chaos, fear, and anxiety that was 2020 winds down to its inevitable end a number of albums have come out that piqued
our curiosity, including this one that came to our radar just after we put out the last issue. On their latest War on Women
tear through some blasts of melodic hardcore punk driven by crunchy guitars and hooks energetic enough to power a small city.
Taking on misogyny, colonialism and its aftermath, police brutality, the needs to take action sooner rather than later et
al these songs create battle cries that exist within a prism of intersectionality and the need for social justice throughout.
With powerful song craft and an ability to walk the thin line between melodic punk and hardcore without diluting their core
sound, War on Women's punk vision is one that's as heavy sonically as it is lyrically, demanding a reaction from the listener
in the process. This band has long put out great records and this album carries on this tradition. (BOONE)
(Bridge 9 Records. 119R Foster St. Building 4. Floor 3. Peabody, MA 01960. bridge9.com )
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