Top Sounds - E
EASTER MONKEYS - Splendor Of Sorrow {Smog Veil} Recorded back in 1983 but never released until 1990 (some six years after the band had split), this is the latest from Cleveland’s noxious Punk Rock ‘n’ Roll vaults that Smog Veil has deemed worthy to bestow on the world. It’s good gear too, mixing the Sax-laced sonic destruction of THE STOOGES with the cock-sure arrogance of THE PAGANS (drummer Linda Hudson is Mike Hudson’s sister) with a splash of slow-burning blues thrown in (check out ‘My Baby Digs Graves’). Highlights are plentiful with opener ‘Take Another Pill’ and the epic, warped insanity of ‘Nailed To The Cross’ standing out. Lots of extras too with ‘Cheap Heroin’ (from the ‘Cleveland Confidential’ compilation - the only track the band released while it was together), three raucous live tracks and a couple of rehearsal tunes. On top of that there is a DVD filmed at a 1982 show, sumptuous digipack casing and a neat booklet with a biography, pics and recording details. Once again, Smog Veil shows exactly how to do treat reissues and if uncompromising, Midwest US snotty rock ‘n’ roll is for you, then you need this. (05.01.10)
EMOS, THE - Quicker Than Khan {TNS} Terrible, shouty, feebly comedic, high school Punk. The music is bog-standard mid-paced Punk that no doubt aspires to be third-rate SNUFF but instead barely makes tenth rate 4-SKINS. If songs titled ‘I Think Nige Looks Like Vigo From Ghostbusters 2’, ‘Pelt That Rabbit In Its Big White Eyes’ and ‘We’re More Punk Than Kamikaze Sperm’ seem to be your bucket of say-nothing puke, then cool. Personally, I found this lame, badly played and as redundant as Sarah Palin in a popularity competition with Debbie Harry. (15.06.09)
EVACUATE - s/t {Taang} Debut album from this 5-piece that comes spitting and screaming outta San Diego and feature former members of THE VIRUS, CHEAP SEX and LAB RATS. It’s a potent mix of bruising UK82 snot (think BLITZ and GBH) coupled with the pace and attitude of USHC (think early UNIFORM CHOICE in particular). Add to that an undercurrent of FREEZE-esque guitars (check out ‘Convenience Killed Mankind’ - it could be Bill Close himself) and some socially conscious lyrics tackling subjects as diverse as ignorance, bulimia, global warming, unity and, of course, the old Punk faithfuls of capitalism and war, and you’re holding quite a cracker in your hands. Highlights include ‘This Night Is Ours’, opener ‘Mankinds Disease’ and the rabid bite of ‘Sniper’. Slick digipack sleeve and lyric sheet highlight the band’s political opinions also. This is strong stuff from a new band made up of some scene veterans who, thankfully, have lost none of their passion for this thing called Punk Rock and make a defiant stand for what they believe. (24.04.09)
EVERYBODY OUT - s/t {Taang!} "Cliched MURPHYS wannabes," was my first thought at hearing this debut disc from Boston’s EVERYBODY OUT; but something kept dragging me back and after six plays the anthemic chorus’, mid-tempo Street Punk structures and musical experimentation found a groove with me. The MURPHYS (DROPKICK that is) vibe is of no coincidence as the band feature DROPKICKS co-founder Rick Barton. Add to that Sweeney Todd (the Scottish singer outta the Leeds, UK band, DEAD PETS) and, more surprisingly, long-term FREEZE guitarist and general legend, Bill Close, and the end result is something akin to RANCID’s ‘Life Won’t Wait’ period mixed with SHAM 69 (check out ‘Truth’). ‘All I Got’, with its ‘Card Cheat’style rolling piano provides the highlight while ‘Everybody Out’ and the UNSEEN-esque ‘Wide Awake’ provide other notable quotables, while the additional guest musos and ‘backing orchestra’ really fill out and add depth. Good work - but work that should be faced with a few beers down!! Oi-Oi!!! (13.02.09)
EASTFIELD/ Destructors 666 split, THE EAT, EATER, ELEMAE, ELLIOTT, EMERY, ENABLERS/ Bedford Falls split, END OF THE YEAR, ENEMY ALLIANCE/ Indecision Alarm split, EPILEPTICS, EPOXIES, EXIT CONDITION