Top Sounds - J
JACK AND THE RIPPERS - I Think It's Over {Dirty Faces} Never heard of this '77 era band from Switzerland before. And with a band name that cheesy, it's unlikely I'd forget! This is surprisingly good stuff and still quite vital sounding. You get 10 tracks culled from the band's '78 album and a 7". The sound is a really faithful take on London Punk with first album BOYS and EATER both being worthy comparisons, if mixed with a vague XTC-pop feel in parts. As was par-for-the-course in this era, there's a reggae influenced track, but it's no 'Johnny Was'. The buzzing ' Safe And Secure', 'Down' and 'Don't Pretend' are the highlights while the band's take on Lennon's 'Cold Turkey' suggests an understanding of rock 'n' roll pre-Punk. A totally enjoyable history lesson and one that's essential for '77 revisionists.
JAG - Demo {DIY} Some kinda bizarre and rather freakish mix of SEEDS Garage Psychedelia, STOOGES-style scary, destructo nihilism, HAWKWIND acid rock and BUTTHOLE SURFERS mindwarp. It’s kinda interesting but ultimately this will appeal to the hashed-out, flared-up, switched off Hippy more than most Punks - even though the band resolutely supports the independent, underground nature and values of Punk. I’m sure the band is appreciated much more in a live situation. The band is from the Netherlands and can be contacted via peeyaki@yahoo.com
Top Sounds - K
JOHN KASTNER – Have You Been Lucky? {Boss Tuneage} Debut solo album from this former DOUGHBOYS frontman and an accomplished 12-tracker it is. Anyone who is familiar with Kastner’s work will know his penchant for songs over noise and this exemplifies that. There’s a distinct BIG STAR influence throughout, be it the opening energy rush of ‘Kick Back’, the piano-laced lushness of ‘It’s All Too Familiar’ or the introvert sparseness of closer ‘Most Upsetting Song’. You also get plenty of those great Kastner rockers like ‘Hold Me Up’ and ‘Can’t Get Outta My Own’. There’s even a guest appearance from FEAR’s Lee Ving and the guitarist from Rush! Solo albums can be egotistical and sooooo far removed from the artist’s bands that they alienate a large percentage of fans; but not so here. This is justifiably a ‘solo album’ but also decidedly Kastner – and an on-form Kastner at that!
K DAVIS - The Good Fight {Eugene} Interesting 6-track EP of gravel-voiced acoustic tunes. K DAVIS was the drummer in the INFECTED but, due to drug problems, was kicked out. Six years on and clean, this is his debut solo release. Think ‘Tonight’s The Night’/ ‘Comes A Time’ era Neil Young but going via ‘...And The Horse They Rode In On’ era SOUL ASYLUM countrified rock ‘n’ roll and you’re close. Some of the vocal pitching is hit and miss (‘Two In Four Days II’ in particular), but generally the bourbon and nicotine growl works great. Highlights are the subtle opener, ‘Ryan And Wyatt’ and a sublime acoustic workout of the INFECTED song ‘Try Again’. Keep on keeping on!
KILL TOBY WYATT - North To South. Vs. East To West {Eugene} Great 9-tracker that combines a big JAWBREAKER feel with a good helping of LEATHERFACE and smaller servings of PENNYWISE and LEFTOVER CRACK (minus the Ska!). The whole disc seems to reverberate with pulsating, relentless rhythm that - like JAWBREAKER - relies on dynamics and power rather than simple, basic speed. Highlights include opener ‘As Long As’, ‘Happy New Year’ and the reflective ‘Last Night’. At 29-minutes, it’s clear the songs have been worked on and thankfully never overstay their welcome. Eugene Recs keeps releasing one great band after another these days - most of which seem to be from Kentucky. It not too hard to imagine KILL TOBY WYATT on a label like Fat Wreck as the band would fit neatly beside SMOKE OR FIRE and PAINT IT BLACK.
KING BLUES - Under The Fog {Household Name} Ever wonder what a stripped-down LEVELLERS playing THE SPECIALS via THE CLASH’s ‘Bankrobber’ with the politics of CAPDOWN may sound like? Wonder no more. Gotta say, this bored the shit outta me on one listen. Repeated plays saw the funky-dub vibes and acoustic acidity of the sounds mixed with a snarling political bite take a feeble hold. This is quite a departure in sound for Household Name Recs and, I have to say, one I expected a lot more from. I’m guessing the band is at its best live, in an intimate backroom or squat. As the record stands, it’s a grower but with pretty limited appeal in the House of Scanner. File with P.A.I.N.
KNEEDEEP – Demo {website} Six track CDR from one of the newer names on the currently thriving Ipswich, UK scene. The tracks are recorded live, unmixed and unmastered so it’s a blood and guts, warts ‘n’ all deal, rough and ready around the edges, resolutely British (especially the vocal delivery) and Punk as nobody’s business. The Punk spew this trio belts out brought to mind, for some reason, SUBHUMANS played by HDQ and given the snotty attack of PANIC. It’s good stuff too, with ’13.30 Till 14.30’ and ‘Idea Of Change’ taking prizes for the best tunes. It is a little loose and a tad chaotic in parts, but as a basic representation of the band, it’s a fair testament. There’s a full album due soon on Ippo label Corndog – looking forward to that.
KRUM BUMS – As The Tide Turns {TKO} Can’t tell you much about this 5-piece from Texas bar the fact this is a caustic, embittered, snotty attack of choice Punk Rock. It’s a fast and brutal sound but exceptionally well played – the interpaly between the guitarists particularly stands out. Visually and lyrically there’s a neat Anarcho vibe about the whole deal but played with a distinctly modern thrust. Think LEFTOVER CRACK meets FOUR LETTER WORD via POISON IDEA and ICONS OF FILTH. There’s plenty of highlights, be it the killer ‘core of ‘Scratching On The Eight Ball’ and ‘Last Breath’, the broiling ‘Sometimes’ or the near-perfect barbed Punk assaults of ‘Fall’, the title track and ‘Disregarded Youth’. Production shreds too – clear yet biting with everything clearly defined and not suppressed. A cracker from start to finish.