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THE CASUAL DOTS - Sanguine Truth LP
One of the bigger and more pleasant surprises has been the reunion of a number of bands that came without warning so when
I heard this band were back and doing a new album I was curious. On their first album in 18 years The Casual Dots offer up
some medium tempo driving punk leaning underground rock built on often simmering tempos and bittersweet overdriven guitars
with some occasional surprises along the way. These songs take on personal themes such as fear, loss, the need to move on
and the like that meld with the often tense feeling of the music as the album continues. Between this and the moody yet often
layered song arrangements and there's something here that can capture the listener and take them somewhere that's both unusual
yet weirdly comforting amidst the tension. It's been a long time since we'd heard from The Casual Dots and it's good to see
them returning to form with this album. If you haven't heard this album (or this band) yet give it a spin. (BOONE)
(Ixor Stix Records. thecasualdots.bandcamp.com)
GNAT - Yandere Kaiju download EP
I heard about this artist and was curious but hadn't had a chance to check them out until I came across a message from
a friend asking if I was interested in hearing this and took the plunge. On their debut EP Gnat unleashes a blast of hyperpop
that merges electronic sounds with elements of punk and noise cooked into the mix. These three songs tackle subjects such
as daddy issues and trauma with a dissonance that pushes through the hurt and makes the listener notice. Aggressive and sometimes
jerky at time the music here is a sonic weapon that makes its case and piques the curiosity of the listener if one is willing
to take the chance. As an artist Gnat's electronic soundscapes don't go for the easy path but creates something that needs
to be heard. I admit this might not be every reader's cup of tea but if what I said makes your curious you should give Yandere
Kaiju a listen. (BOONE)
(gnat666.bandcamp.com)
THE HOMELESS GOSPEL CHOIR - Fourth Dimension Intervention LP
I'd been curious about this album ever since I found out about it so when I had some free time I decided to give it a
listen. On their first album as a full band The Homeless Gospel Choir unleashes a melodically noisy blend of punk, noise,
and art rock. Combining catchy (sometimes even bordering on pop) hooks with layered heavy (and sometimes just noisy) guitars
the songs are commentaries on personal dilemmas, love, politics, culture wars and the like in the midst that keep some of
the folk punk vibe but fits the audio beds perfectly. Arising from this sonic brew is a heady trip that blends the personal
with the political, punk with hints of psychedelia to head forward in leaps and bounds as it swallows the listener. This
album is complicated but those wanting something different will find many things here if they take the plunge. (BOONE)
(Don Giovanni Records. P.O. Box 628. Kingston, NJ 08528. dongiovannirecords.com)
THE OUT-SECT - The Out-Sect EP
Came across a review of this on the MRR website and it had me wondering what it was like so I went online and gave it
a stream. The Out-Sect tears through some short crude and loud garage rock with direct to the jugular raw and crude guitar
driven songs. Arising from this is a raw sonic mixture that's in your face, a bit anti social and seems to draw equally in
terms of attitude from the Nuggets era garage rock bands of the 60s and punk rock. The Out-Sect blast through the speakers
on the EP, state their case, and get out. This is the sort of band that we're supposed to believe doesn't really exist anymore
yet comes off as something that seems a little dangerous even in this age.. After I picked my jaw off the floor I had to
see how I could get the seven-inch. Need to hear more from this band. (BOONE)
(7" vinyl available from: Outro Records. outrorecords.com. Download available at: theoutsect.bandcamp.com)
SPAD - Demo cassette EP
I came across this band when I was online looking for music to check out and possibly review so I decided to check it
out. On this demo this Indonesian band throws down some short fast hardcore punk with a definite DC vibe to it. Raw crude
power chord guitars and fast direct rhythms carry through these three songs that go off like a grenade to the face. While
I'm not entirely sure what the songs are about lyrically there tends to be a more oblique turn to the words (one of the songs
is called "A Private Discussion Forum") that could be as much a cultural thing as anything else. What I do know
is Spad managed to pull off the tradition of the old style hardcore punk demo tape complete with the feel such a tape would've
had back in the 80s. Don't know much about this band but they did pique my curiosity. If you're curious if anybody's trying
to continue the tradition of early 80s style HC punk then you'll probably want to give this a listen. (BOONE)
(Limited edition cassette available from no-solution-ltd.storenvy.com. Download available from: nosolutionltd.bandcamp.com)
THICK - Happy Now LP
This came out just as I was finalizing the last issue and heading back to Columbia to release it so I wasn't able to really
listen to it until now. On their new album Thick blasts away some affable melodic punk rock that mixes oversaturated yet
catchy guitar hooks with clear as a bell vocals and harmonies on some songs tackling personal themes such as love, loss, frustration
and the like. Drawing from the gray area between punk and pop this trio emerges with a sound that factors the heaviness with
a breeziness as the album goes forward. While this approach could easily fall into the easily clichéd there's an earnestness
here that sidesteps that and keeps the listener's attention (at least it did for me). Thick doesn't reinvent the wheel sonically
but their take on poppy punk has a freshness that makes me desire getting a physical copy when I get the chance to do so.
Give it a spin and find out for yourself. (BOONE)
(Epitaph Records)
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