Hot Track Alert

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For some reason, it does seem strange to pick a "hot track" from a compilation because it's only one dose of a single artist against 10 others that one must digest over the course of a listen.  It's especially strange when the compilation was just released, and the song that you assume is brand new turns out to be recorded by a band from the early 80s.  Between the main riff that immediately brought to mind "September" by Peter and The Test Tube Babies and a rhythm section that sounds more like Siouxsie and the Banshees, it's a shame this song isn't by a current band.  Oh well, it's still the standout track and is worth a listen.

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This whole 7" is great, but it's hard to ignore the track that declares "You yuppie motherfucker, get away from me!"  Floridian punks Klout get some 86 comparisons, which I understand, but even with deep vocals and behind-the-beat fast parts, I still don't really pick up on an Oi! vibe.  Their execution is hard as nails, but the songs still manage to have a tuneful and catchy approach toward USHC.  This particular track has the pit-clearing SSD-esque ending, only after the excellent and unforgettable spoken word moment incentivizing a murderous motive against all the yuppie motherfuckers.  This track is for non-suckers only.

Shopping season is almost upon us.  Black Friday is only a couple of weeks away.  This song really captures the anxiety of going out and purchasing goods to give other people while battling through crowds of hysterical people.  Perfect post/art-punk song to wipe away your holiday shopping blues/madness by helping you realize that someone else understands.

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This track totally sounds like a meaner rougher Dangerhouse single. Late 80s Brazilian punk that is super simplistic but super catchy. I had never heard this before so big ups to Nada Nada Discos and Punch Drunk for bringing it to the light since this is a total banger. Even if you aren't a punk historian check this out because it is a lo-fi punk ripper.

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Upon first listen of this song I couldn't figure out what in the hell is going on.  It felt like my world was falling apart suddenly.  After focusing my attention past the guitar in the right channel just endlessly playing super high single notes in the forefront of the mix everything seemed to come back together and the world slowly formed again in front of me.  On first listen this feels like chaos because everything is swirling in the mix behind those droning high notes.  This song really is a good garage song that fits well in the vein of Episode Sounds' roster, reminding me somewhat of the Reatards.  That guitar makes this a whole different thing though and i'm into it.  Imagine doing a ton of poppers and then cranking the treble on your stereo all the way up.  

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You all are probably familiar by now with the fact that I love a good power-pop track.  Hell I love some pretty bad ones too.  Nowhere Close is perfection.  The beat just takes the lead and makes you instantly start bobbing your head slowly, bobbing it a little more with each second until you're pretty much dancing around in your seat by the time the chorus hits.  This band hits the dynamics hard and perfect, with perfectly subtle synth in the background and the guitar hanging back in the pocket until the great super tasteful solo.  The vocals are super hooky and have a somber feeling to them making this the perfect soundtrack to sitting on your car's hood drinking on a fall night.  

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I would definitely say this qualifies as the "stomper" on this new EP from PMS 84. They don't seem to shy away from the UK82 comparisons, and this track in particular sounds like it could've been on a Riot City single by Mayhem or something by Black Easter. With their new vocalist, I swear the whole vibe of the band is more tough, and this song is hard as nails with the words barked anthemically.   What stands out more than anything is the constantly moving bass lines, which are up front and punchy in the mix.  There's a great moment where everything drops out and the bass rides on this ascending riff, and everything just keeps building while the bass hits melodic high notes. The build comes to a climax and breaks into solo bass playing the main riff just before punching back into the intro.  Perfect.

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I guess that sometime last year Rikk Agnew released a split 7" with SoCal also-rans Symbol Six. My expectations for this enterprise really could not have been lower, particularly since Rikk's side consists solely of two covers. However, I must say that he CRUSHES these two tracks... his cover of the Viletones' "Screaming Fist" is really good, but he knocks "Cosmetic Plague" by Rudimentary Peni out of the park. Now, excuse me while I go and meditate on the idea of Rikk Agnew sitting around listening to Rudimentary Peni for a little longer...

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Well, the new Pollen EP is probably the most extreme, ear-catching record to emerge from the d-beat genre since we were still seeing regular releases from Zyanose and Isterismo. While a lot of super noisy bands really lay on the treble, Pollen go for the opposite approach, blowing out the bottom end in a way that reminds me as much of early Carcass and Napalm Death as it does of Discharge or any of their descendants. Definitely one of the best things going in d-beat right now.

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Well, Blazing Eye have a new EP and if you thought things couldn't get any better than "Lonely Corpse," well, you were wrong... this is the best Blazing Eye material yet! For me the standout is the title track, "Ways to Die." Listen to that blood-curdling scream toward the end! I can think of few moments as genuine and as thrilling on a modern punk record than that. Highest possible recommendation!

Notes: 1. The YouTube vid is ripped from an advance tape... the vinyl sounds about a million times better. 2. "Ways to Die" is the 4th and final track, but I'm sure you want to listen to all of it.

This whole record is just hot track after hot track.  Head Meat stands out a little more to me though because it's the mid-paced pop song of the album.  Definitely some Zeros vibes going on in this one.  This song is for all the people that spell tough TUFF.

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I think in the monthly newsletter I wrote that this song should replace Yackity Sax as the go to song for Benny Hill-esque running in circles sequences.  I was really sick and in a fragile state of mind while writing that but still agree.  This song is just pure energy and makes life feel like the fast forward button is mashed down.  Truly the anthem of the sweet land of punks and geeks.

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