Top Sounds - D
DAVID JOHANSEN GROUP - Live {Lemon} Recorded in July 1978 at NYC’s Bottom Line, this is the ex-NEW YORK DOLLS vocalist ripping it up with partner-in-glam-slam Syl Sylvain. It’s a well-paced, strong set; much more effective than I imagined it could be. It kicks off with a sparkling ‘Cool Metro’ that thankfully doesn’t pander to Johansen’s infamous past. From there, 17 tracks of glam-bam sleazy rock ‘n’ roll follow. Highlights include ‘Donna’ and ‘Frenchette’ both of which slow things down and reek of the good times of a blissful, decadent summer while ‘Lonely Tenement’ is both poignant and rocking. There’s a smattering of great covers too, including The Four Tops’ ‘Reach Out’ and a glorious romp through Bonnie Tyler’s ‘It’s A Heartache’. Have to say, while Johansen sounds better than ever, the DOLLS material without the JOHNNY THUNDERS swagger falls a little flat; at least until he appears on the finale - a stellar ‘Babylon’ - and it’s clear the master is back in town. It’s rounded off with a neat sleeve featuring liner notes from DOLLS/THUNDERS biographer Nina Antonia. An undeniable party disc that’s best accompanied by a line of sulphate and a bottle of Merlot. Enjoy it... (19.01.09)
DEADRINGERS - I Want Out {Gimme Danger} So many bands wanna be SCREECHING WEASEL; so many bands end up a whimpering rodent. Not so this snotty quartet. This 4-track 7" is simply smoking, defiant Punk Rock that takes the Holy Grail as laid down by Ben Weasel but infuse that with the killer Garage vibe of early NEW BOMB TURKS while throwing in a vintage ‘77 DICKIES/ SAINTS vibe. Each track is a corker but the light-speed Garage assault of close ‘Outta My Way’ and lead track, ‘I Want Out’, stand out. Vocalist Danny Dee thankfully does not mimic Ben Weasel but he does have a killer arrogance about his voice while six-string slinger Daniel Kelley lays down some licks and fills that could put to shame any hot-shot dip-shit ‘axe hero’ - but he plays them sparingly, fast and with a distinctly Punk venom. And the rhythm section? Relentless! Hit Myspace or write to 1541 Oak Street, Apt #3, San Francisco, CA 94117. (27.01.09)
DEAD TO ME - Little Brother {Fat Wreck} I’m digging this big time. This is the latest 5-tracker from the band that features former ONE MAN ARMY mainman Jack Dalrymple along with WESTERN ADDICTION’s Chicken. It’s upbeat Punk Rock, full of catchy tunes and those silky-smooth vocals of Jack’s obviously draw comparisons with ONE MAN ARMY. But I also get a BUZZCOCKS feel from this (especially on ‘What’s Wrong’) along with a hint of AGAINST ME! Highlight has to be the dub-reggae tinged, politically-charged title track and the anthemic opener ‘Don’t Wanna’. It’s a disc that doesn’t pummel the listener with a Punk Rock fury, but draws them in with great melodies, intelligent lyrics (co-sung by Jack and Chicken to great effect) and enough energy to power San Fran’s electrical usage for a few months at least. I’ve just played this three times in a row as I do this review and I’m still buzzing on its energy - big time! Great pull-out insert too!! (14.03.09)
DESTROY ALL MONSTERS - 74 76 {Compound Annex} Fuck me... This was hard work! This 3-CD set was originally released on SONIC YOUTH’s Thurston Moore’s label Ecstatic Peace and consists of 76 tracks recorded during the period in the title on Kmart tapes by a bunch of hippies who had clearly indulged in too much acid and wanted to be VELVET UNDERGROUND. As it is, they came out sounding like a bunch of hippies who had clearly indulged in much too much acid. Historians may know DESTROY ALL MONSTERS via its connection with STOOGES guitarist Ron Asheton and MC5 bassist Michael Davis. This, unfortunately, predates them both. Of all the songs, only ‘T. H. Queen’ was of interest. Terminally dull - I’d rather listen to a BBC sound effects album than this again. (09.11.09)
DESTRUCTORS 666 - Malleus Maleficarum {Rowdy Farrago} Latest album from what must be one of the most prolific bands of the last couple of years. This is a ‘concept’ kinda album with all the tracks having a central theme of witch hunts. It’s more of the band’s trademark UK82 Punk given a heavy dose of rock and it’s a sound the band is getting close to making its own. Highlights include ‘Witch Hunt’ and ‘Hex Sex Vex’ while the take on THE SWEET’s ‘Hellraiser’ comes over slightly flat. The album ends with an inspired run through ‘The Witch Is Dead’ from the musical, ‘The Wizard Of Oz’. Lyrics are reprinted in the booklet along with details of the album’s title and a brief history of witch hunts. DIY tuneage that rocks and informs - keep it coming! (21.01.09)
DILLINGER FOUR - C I V I L W A R {Fat Wreck} Cheers Fat Wreck... This is arguably the most highly-anticipated album since the release of DESCENDENTS’ ‘Everything Sucks’ back in 1996 and review copies are sent out in a black wallet with track listing. Thanks for that... Can you not save such marketing for something truly shit like NO USE FOR A NAME or STRUNG OUT? Needless to say DILLINGER FOUR’s first album in six years is all it should be. It may be a little less aggressive than the previous three albums but long-term fans are not gonna be disappointed. Highlights? Pah - not gonna bother. The band’s lyrics play a huge part of what it is about - and I ain’t got them. Cheers again Fat... Like fellow Minneapolis brothers, THE REPLACEMENTS, if you don’t get what the band is about on a visceral level, you don’t get it at all. Anyway - cracking stuff from the D4 guys; the legend continues and you better not even dare doubt it. Classic #4. (19.01.09)
D.O.A. - Kings Of Punk, Hockey And Beer {Sudden Death} This is quite a bizarre ‘new release’ from Canada’s bastion of Punk Rock. You get 12 songs based around the subject matters of the album’s title. Snag is, this acts as a compilation with only four songs having been previously unreleased (with two of those recorded during old sessions). There is no indication that 66% of this is already available until you read the inner sleeve. Highlights have to mainly include the previously released stuff too: ‘Donnybrook’ is a great opener, ‘Overtime’ was a highlight of the ‘Loggerheads’ album and remains so here while both ‘If I Were A Redneck’ and ‘Beer Liberation Army’ from ‘Win The Battle’ are joyous romps that work better here than on the original. Of the new songs, closer ‘Taking Care Of Business’ and the rollicking ‘Beat ‘Em Bust ‘Em’ stand out. Maybe I’d get the theme better if I came from an Ice Hockey nation but, although this is a fun album by most standards, it’s a bit of a let down when compared with the stockpile of reactionary Punk Rock brilliance that is D.O.A’s back catalogue. In fact, those four new songs could have made an essential 7". (04.12.09)
DUN2DEF/ DESTRUCTORS 666 - Deus Ex Machina {Rowdy Farrago} Yet another split EP from the DESTRUCTORS camp. DUN2DEF kick things off with two originals and a cover of the UK SUBS ‘Riot’. It’s well-produced, well-played mid-tempo UK Punk not unlike a mix of GUITAR GANGSTERS and early NEWTOWN NEUROTICS. The band is a good match for the DESTRUCTORS, which plays two originals and a cover also - this time ‘Diplomatic Immunity’ by GBH. As expected, this is more of the band’s usual Garage Rock played with an injection of Punk Rock and these tracks could well be the fastest stuff the band has recorded so far. It’s OK I guess, but I’d like to hear something from the DESTRUCTORS that has a little more substance than a steady stream of split EPs. (27.04.09)
Hit HERE for material reviewed prior to 2009 including:
D4, DAILY VOID, DAN, DASH RIP ROCK, DAS OATH, DC SNIPERS, DEAD HOOKERS, DEAD KENNEDYS (2 reviews), DEAD POETIC, DEAN DIRG, DEATHZONE, DECADENCE WITHIN, THE DECLINED, DENNIS MOST AND THE INSTIGATORS, DERITA SISTERS, DESCENDENTS, DESOLATION, DESTRUCTORS 666, DICKIES, DIOXIN, DIRTY KIRST (3 reviews), DISASTER STRIKES, DISCHARGE (3 reviews), D.O.A. (5 reviews), DOGSHIT SANDWICH, DOOM, DOWINA, D.R.I, DUFUS