MAN ALIVE! - Heart, Hands And Mind {Universal Warning} Odd release this... Copyrighted in 2001, recorded in 2002 and sent for review in 2009. Anyway, MAN ALIVE! is a band from Denver, CO that plays a ragged, riotous and vocally petulant example of Punk noxiousness. The influence of CRIMPSHRINE, early JAWBREAKER and CRINGER is unavoidable while the vocals share the same raspy, growled gymnastics of Stza outta LEFTOVER CRACK. It’s actually those vocals that let the band down; they come over as one-dimensional rasps, often formless (even with a lyric sheet) and generally monotonous. It’s a shame too as the lyrics convey something, be it obvious highlights like ‘War Fell Before Me’, ‘Dying Priest’ and the excellent observation of the Punk scene that is ‘Anthem’. There’s some interesting, tense FUGAZI-ish musicianship (check out the intro to ‘Like Ozone’) and given time and the right mind frame (which would be embittered) this could well hit the spot. As it is, with repeated plays, I still haven’t quite found the spot. (04.07.09)

MEATMEN, THE - Cover The World {Meatmen} I still don’t get it. Get what? The puerile temptation The MEATMEN impart on so many. This is the first new album (I believe) in over a decade and features 24 cover versions of Tesco Vee favourites. I probably enjoyed this more than most releases by the band - although the in between song banter did grate beyond the fifth song. You get a disc stealing highlight in the MEAT... cover of THIN LIZZY’s ‘Bad Reputation’. Elsewhere rocking cuts include VEE-versions of JOHNNY THUNDERS, FEAR, BLACK MARKET BABY, GG ALLIN, MOTORHEAD, CHRIS SPEDDING and many surprises like 10CC, Saxon, Temptations and an obligatory ABBA take (although ‘Epitaph For A Head’ was a quagmire of reverbed ridiculousness). While the cover artwork is dire in the extreme, the accompanying booklet is well put together. This didn’t change my opinion of The MEATMEN; the band still sucks as much as crippled children do in theirs. As always it was worth a listen, but one I won’t repeat too often - as always. (04.07.09)

MOB, THE - Let The Tribe Increase {Overground} Of all the classics that the UK Anarcho scene spawned, none were as distinctive as the sole album from THE MOB. It unveiled a barren bass-driven panorama, devoid of any apparent joy but, somehow, was cloying and addictive. Mark’s vocal - and lyrics - were not affected by any Punk snarling or grizzled sloganeering indicative of the time; rather they presented a plaintive examination on the futility of war coupled with a starkly serious sense of isolation in an ever increasingly selfish society. One of the great powers of the album is that it gets better as it gets older with tracks like ‘Gates Of Hell’, ‘I Wish’ and ‘Cry Of A Morning’ getting more impressive with each successive play - even over the decades since the album’s 1983 release. This latest reissue has been remastered adding ever-more depth and crystalline clarity to imposing tracks such as ‘Witch Hunt’, ‘Never Understood’ and the most upbeat track, ‘Dance On (You Fool)’. There is also a comprehensive booklet of notes, pics and flyers and, most importantly, the ‘ Mirror Breaks’ 7" and an unreleased demo. THE MOB was a band without compare; in a scene that screamed for change, they spoke with gravitas and created something endearing and soul-searching as they went. Whether a Punk band could make this sound again is debatable - the fact the sound of THE MOB already exists is glorious. (08.06.09)