Top Sounds - O
ORGANIC - The Life And Times Of Sal Sagev {Boss Tuneage} I’m sure I reviewed this in an old print issue of Scanner. Not that I mind cuz this is snotty, early Bay Area sounding Punk with a big CRIMPSHRINE vibe. The band hailed from Portland, Oregon and this 25 track disc acts as a retrospective. First off are eight new tracks (at the time of the original release at least) that feature abrasive, bratty vocals with both ‘Parkdale’ and the violin-lead ‘Candles In The Park’ being highlights. That’s followed by the band’s debut 7" which is a cracking slice of blistering Punk with the repeated plea of ‘Decline’ and the PIXIES-esque arrangements of ‘Hot Words, Wax Lips’ standing out. The album, ‘7 Mile Engine’ follows with an obvious nod to both SCREECHING WEASEL and JAWBREAKER. The final bonus comes with a couple of early demos and two live tracks. There are no dates or any info regarding recording, but I am guessing this dates from about 1995-1998. Anyone into the original Lookout! Records sound would revel in this. It’s sure been a big spinner here! (10.07.09)
OUTSIDERS, THE - s/t {Deep Red} Debut release from this new New Zealand band that’s made up of members who were in two of the best NZ bands of recent times: RITALIN and NOT QUITE RIGHT. Apparently this was recorded as a demo but, due to the high quality of the finished article, was given an official release. Easy to see why also as this is some serious audio ammunition. It lacks the blind fury of RITALIN but shares with NOT QUITE RIGHT a highly developed sense of songwriting. Comparisons to ‘Bivouac’ era JAWBREAKER and, more specifically, AGAINST ME! are hard to avoid, but there is enough identity here to state that this is not some limp-dicked plagiarist imitation. Opener ‘The Beginning Of The End’ displays great vocal interaction while the anthemic ‘Walk Away’ features some strident bass work. Throughout the disc there is a nod toward the accessibility of DEAD TO ME also. I was curious what Niam would come up with post-RITALIN and I am pleased to hear something confident and refreshing that doesn’t rehash past sounds or is a weak-kneed attempt at commercialisation. Another NZ band that could be a match for any European or US counterpart. (02.05.10)
Hit HERE for material reviewed prior to 2009 including:
OCTOBER FILE, ONWARD PILGRIM (2 reviews)