Top Sounds - R
RABBLE - No Clue, No Future {DIY} I’ve read, and heard, a lot of shit in NZ about how THE RABBLE are nothing but a 10th rate RANCID clone. Yawn.... Petty jealousies never concerned me. Sure, THE RABBLE wear their influences on their sleeves, in their hairstyles and their tattoos. So fucking what? Sure there’s a RANCID influence along with a big SOCIAL DISTORTION vibe, a hint of the DROPKICK MURPHYS and something distinctly the band’s own. The fact is, this is a bloody ripper of an album, made even more impressive because it’s the band’s debut long player and sounds incredibly full and executed with plenty of venom, attitude and conviction. Highlights are many, be it the swagger of ‘Friday Night’, the opening anthemic ‘Sing With Me’, the slow-burning power rocker ‘Bad Reputation’ (which is something RANCID has never performed with the verve of THE RABBLE), the celtic influence of ‘Carry On’ and the already Kiwi Punk classic ‘Take A Walk’. There’s not actually a duffer on the album and, while the lyrics are occasionally cliched (see ‘Nosebleed’ and ‘Live Yer Life’) they do actually show thought and some insight. Bugger the naysayers, this is a great solid, sincere and effective Punk Rock album - and one that shits on many so called ‘crackers’ that come outta the States and Europe. More power to the band!!
THE RABBLE - This Is Our Lives! {DIY} One of NZ’s finest spits out its latest release in the form of this 8-track EP. It kicks off where the debut album (above) left off: stirring, anthemic choruses, barbed vocals, spiky 77isms and a totally convincing, bombastic sound. There’s more experimentation here too with a Celtic influence highlighted in the excellent ‘The Coast Song’ which could well be the band’s finest moment so far. There’s an interesting - and what could have been gravely fatal - take on ‘Police And Thieves’ that mixes the CLASH’s version with a SOCIAL DISTORTION vibe and a modern spite. Incredibly, the band pulls it off making it their own. The songs have greater depth of arrangement while retaining that great, classic Punk feel. This also includes a video for ‘Carry On’ - what more do you want? This is heartfelt, sincere, top notch Punk Rock not just on a Kiwi scale, but on a global scale. It surely fixed me.
THE RABBLE - The Battle's Almost Over {Filthy Lucre} Please check My Blog pages dated 25th November 2007 for an in-depth review.
RADIO REELERS - The Next Best Thing {Dead Beat} Third slab of blazing Punk Rock 'n' Roll from this San Fran 4-piece. The band feature former and current members of such notable quotables as THE FELLS, THE BODIES, TRUST FUND BABIES and WESTERN ADDICTION and, with a CV like that, it should be no surprise that this rocks out with bloody conviction. There's a definite early SAINTS vibe from the off as 'Devil On My Shoulder' rips it up with the same infectious zeal as 'Erotic Neurotic'. From there, 9 more turbo-charged, barroom Punk songs zip past. 'You're My Habit' brings things down to a slow-burn simmer before the title track brings it all back to the boil. There's a CD-ROM track on here too - but it wouldn't play on the House Of Scanner computer. Gum-chewing, Bud-swigging, guitar-swinging, attitude laden Punk Rock - with a swagger! Just how I like it!!
RAJOITUS – Ootsa Valmis Kuolemaan? {ei kiitos tapes} Wow – a tape-only release; just like back in the 80s before CD burners!! And what a whopper! 79 tracks spanning ’95 to ’98. Think SEPTIC DEATH, RATTUS style D-beat with a twisted, Japanese HC vocal styling. The band hails from Sweden and among the demos and 7" releases on here you also get all 12 tracks from the ‘Hardcore Attack 95’ 12" release plus covers of KAAOS, TURVEET KADET, AVSKUM and, oddly, GG ALLIN’s ‘A Fuck Up’. This is intense HC done well, but all 79 tracks in one sitting can be a little too much! Write:- ei kiitos, 22 Burns Villas, East Lane, Stainforth,. Doncaster, S. Yorks, DN7 5DP, UK.
RATOS DE PORÃO - Brasil, Anarkophobia, Just Another Crime In Massacreland, Feijoada Acidente? International {Roadrunner/ Metal Mind} Four reissues from the best thing to come outta Brazil since Pele and the Samba. All these reissues are limited to 2,000, digitally remastered and pressed on a gold CD and originate from the band’s period on Roadrunner Records. Each album mixes D.R.I. crossover thrash with SICK OF IT ALL HC, FINAL CONFLICT Punk and SLAYER-style thrash Metal. ‘Brasil’, from 1989, was the band’s Roadrunner debut and fourth long player in total. It’s a vague concept album, with nearly all the songs focusing on the band’s home country of Brazil. It also marks the band’s first forays into Metal - too noticeable via the divebomb guitar heroics. It’s an intense offering though with slashing, caustic HC thrillers like ‘SOS Broken Country’, ‘Suicidal Heroin’ and the ultra Punk sneer of ‘Traitor’ while ‘Military Machine’ could be prime-time MINISTRY. Additional to the original track listing, there are three stomach-churningly brutal live tracks from ‘92 with the sub-one minute blast of ‘Poluicao Atomica’ being particularly unforgiving. ‘Anarkophobia’ is the worst of the bunch, seeing the band submerge fully into Thrash Metal. Originally released in 1991, it’s all chugging guitars, growled vocals, even more of those god-awful divebomb guitar solos - I guess this is how Exodus or Celtic Frost sound?? Lyrically is still socially and politically aware with ‘Universal Church’ and ‘Death Of The King’ being the highlights. There’s also a neat RAMONES cover in the shape of ‘Commando’. There are three additional live tracks here also; while not as bruising as those on ‘Brasil’, they do provide a neat HC addition to this predominantly thrash-based album. 1993 dawned with the release of the third album here, ‘Just Another Crime In Massacreland’. For me it’s the pick of the bunch and the most openly political (which is quite a statement when referring to a band as political as RATOS), from the cover featuring kids preparing Cocaine for sale on the streets of Brazil through to embittered tracks like ‘Satanic Bullshit’, ‘Video Macumba’ and ‘Quando Ci Vuole!’ while the highlight lies in the frantic riffage of ‘Bad Trip’. Other topics covered include drugs, twisted cops and racism. You get a couple of covers and, as with those above, three extra tracks in the form of demo versions of some of the songs on the disc. It’s also more Punk-based with hints of BATTALION OF SAINTS and slower with fewer guitar solos - although it does still have a Metal feel. Finally, ‘Feijoada Acidente? International’ is from 1995 and is a covers album. Originally, there were two versions: an album full of covers of Brazilian bands and this, an international comp. The choice of covers is broad, from the vintage Aussie Punk RADIO BIRDMAN and THE SAINTS (uncannily accurate) through to classic USHC of DEAD KENNEDYS, BLACK FLAG, CIRCLE JERKS, POISON IDEA and MINOR THREAT through to the wild Finnish HC of RATTUS and KAAOS. Filling the disc out is DEAD BOYS, SLF, REZILLOS, GBH and more. It really displays RATOS’ love of Punk (which could be mistaken given the Metal influence on the other discs here) and the band’s aplomb at playing it. The extra tracks here include three tracks from the Brazilian version of the album. This is virtually perfect for your Summer Punk Rock Party. Each album has its own virtues and merits but, for the curious, abstain from getting ‘Anarkophobia’ until the other three have been purchased and digested.
RATOS DE PORÂO - Homem Inimigo Do Homem {Alternative Tentacles} Little shreds with such effective Crossover power as a RATOS disc. This is the Sao Paolo band’s first disc in three years and marks its 25th year as a unit. You get 12 punishing, unrelenting tracks that assault the senses from opener ‘Pedofilia Santa’ and offer no respite until the final ‘Lucidez’ ends. Disc highlights are ‘Testemunhas Do Apocalipse’ and ‘Expresso Da Escravidâo’ with its machine gun delivery and lacerating, fluid power. It’s great to see the band still singing in its native Brazilian dialect (with translation on the band’s website) and that, in its 25th year, still sounding this urgent, this dominant and still so pissed off. Great Winston Smith-esque artwork also. Hey guys - don’t leave it for another three years huh?
RAW POWER - The Hit List {Sudden Death} Wow - what a whopper! This is a 32-track comp of what must surely be Europe's most infamous HC band. Gotta say, I lost a lot of interest in the band around '89 when 'Mine To Kill' heralded a more Metal approach. The band always kept its integrity though and sitting through these tracks made me realise I've probably missed a few good releases; 'Reptile House' from '99 seems to be particularly ferocious. The tracks from 'Screams From The Gutter' still slay me each and every time. The only let down here is the packaging - it's quite minimalist for a band that has recorded so much. For those who are not familiar with this important Italian band, you could do no better than to pick this up and give yourself a history lesson.
REAL McKENZIES - Off The Leash {Fat Wreck} I’ve always found the mix of Punk Rock and traditional Scottish music from this bunch of Canadian boozers somewhat contrived. For all the alleged whisky-drinkin’, Punk rockin’ wild energy, I’ve only ever heard an average Punk band with bagpipes - and this release changes nothing. In fact, the songs about whisky drinking only made my mind wander onto whisky drinking as I totally forgot about the record. That said, a couple of the tracks did impress. ‘The Maple Tree Remembers’ told the story of the destruction of the Canadian Maple and sounded way more sincere than the constant tales of Bonny Scotland. The closing ‘Culling The Herd’ stole the album for me; it’s a slower track packed with power and a political lyric. Dunno if GOOD RIDDANCE drummer Sean Sellers has always been in the band, but he may have given the band a drive it lacked before. This may win the band a few new converts - but I remain unconvinced.
RED FLAG 77 - Flag Day 2008 {DIY} An ultra limited freebie given away at the band’s yearly Flag Day festival. There’s only 100 printed so if you want one you had better scour ebay or write to Rikki and bribe him with the promise of lots of vodka! This is a 22 track comp of some of the FLAG’s rarer material. It dates back to the band’s first ever recordings in 1991 with a version of JOHNNY MOPED’s ‘No One’. From there you get various covers including RAPED (always a favourite with me), SAINTS, ROSE TATTOO, AC/DC, ADICTS, ‘Bob The Builder’ and the remade version of ‘Blitzkrieg Bop’ that appeared on the Ipswich Town Football Club album. The rest of the disc is made up of the band’s own killer material - be it live, early singles, comp appearances etc. Concise, adrenalin-laced stuff that all self-respecting Punkers should have somewhere in their collection. Closing the disc is the frankly bemusing (although well-done) acid-house track ‘Thank You Very Much’ which samples the band’s very own singer, Rikki Flag, in rather chipper mood! Lots of fun - but the album below is what you REALLY should be checking out.
RED FLAG 77 – Stop The World {Captain Oi!} Even though I regularly championed this band in the pages of Scanner, I think I took them for granted. I was at the band’s first ever show, some 15 years ago and have remained an ardent fan ever since. But when a band is local the opportunity to see them live is continuous. Having been here in NZ for a year, this album brought back many, many memories for me – it even brought a small tear to my eye! On the strength of this record, RF77 are without doubt the best band in the UK doing this ’77 with a modern thrust kinda stuff. The progression between this and the debut album, ‘A Short Cut To A Better World’, is simply breathtaking. Every facet of the band has progressed and matured without weakening or diminishing in anyway. The bite is still there, the snarl, the swagger, the adrenal surge of passion are all still very evident. What startled me, especially in light of having heard these songs in a live capacity many times, is a comparison with THE RUTS, particularly on the track ‘Backs To The Wall’. The band has a similar tense, abrasive, claustrophobic feel and Rikki, the vocalist, has found a style that mirrors (NOT copies) Malcolm Owen’s embittered menace. Lyrically, this is leaps and bounds ahead of anything I expected: ‘Time Has Been Called’ and ‘Are You With Me’ both display lyrical reflections that Shane MacGowan would be proud of while the politics of the title track and ‘Black And White’ are accessible and resolute without being dogmatic. All in all, this is not only the best Punk record to come out of Ippo since the ADICTS’ debut, but probably the best to come from the UK since possibly the first SNUFF album. Here’s a plea to those in Ipswich: Be very proud of this band. Never, ever take them for granted because in RF77 you have one of the UK’s very best. And this is NOT a ‘mate’ giving his ‘mates’ a glowing review: it’s a review of fact.
RENTOKILL – Back To Convenience {Engineer} With a sneering, upturned lip and an indignant bellow, RENTOKILL forcibly drive 15 slabs of incendiary Punk Rock outta the now gasping-for-breath sound system here at the House Of Scanner. Yep, this is passionate and charged melodic HC with some serious socio-political lyrics. The guitars have the super-tight execution of PROPAGANDHI, the drums are delivered at a machine gun pace and the raspy vocals suggest the singer has been dining on shards of glass since his adolescence. There are some stunning dynamics amidst the sonic boom of Punk Rock too; ‘Revenge Of The Animals’ is an acoustic romp while ‘Ten Roses’ is 5 minutes of twisted and visionary Punk structures. Not sure about the cover of a RANCID tune though – it doesn’t do anything new with the track. What really sets RENTOKILL apart from the multitude of NOFX/PROP’ wannabes is a distinct nod towards the biting angst of JAWBREAKER and CRIMPSHRINE. To summarise: 15 tracks of stunning and vicious Punk with a definite streak of intelligence.
REPORT SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITY – s/t {Alternative Tentacles} Vic Bondi has never been a man to pull punches and this latest 15-tracker sees him more embittered and angered than ever before. What began as a solo project for the ex-ARTICLES OF FAITH man ended as a full band collaboration with former JAWBOXer J. Robbins and KEROSENE 454 drummer Darren Zentek. It’s a lyrically political, confrontational and aggressive record with tracks like ‘Guantanamo’, ‘Bin Laden Determined To Strike In U.S.’ and opener ‘Hardball’ clearly and instantly stating Bondi’s resentment of issues like homeland security, terrorism and U.S. political policy in general. Musically Bondi’s aggressive tendencies are countered by Robbins’ sense of dynamics, creating a broad, sweeping and angry sound that is also, when needed, subtle. Highlights include the scathing ‘Revenge’, the barrage of bitterness and power chords that is ‘Subtle’ and the attack on a complacent youth that’s ‘Under The Hill’. Bondi’s back – angry as hell but with intelligence and dynamics to match the fury. Addictive stuff!
REVENGE OF THE PSYCHOTRONIC MAN vs THE FRACTIONS {TNS} Fun 7-track split from these two UK bands. REVENGE... turn it up first with four tracks of manic and ragged Punk that mix the direct snotty Punk of PANIC with RHYTHM COLLISION’s frantic arrangements while adding something much dirtier. ‘This Is Where The Idiot Lives’ takes the disc’s best track but any band that writes an ode to the joys of Jagermeister is A-OK with me! THE FRACTIONS is a Ska band with balls but come off second best after the blast of REVENGE... ‘Down And Out’ is probably the pick of FRACTIONS tracks with its fuzzed CAPDOWN-esque breakdown and snappy pace, although ‘Proper Scoundrel’ is neat in the way that LIGHTYEAR was stunning. I could see both these bands on Household Name Records - and both being capable of holding its own.
REVISIONS - Revised Observations {Dirtnap} What an oddity - albeit a welcome one! THE REVISIONS is an acoustic Punk band that has more in common with THE REPLACEMENTS and early LEVELLERS than the cheesy folk-Punk of The Real McKensies. The band features Douglas Burns of ferocious Punkers THE OBSERVERS + members of CLOROX GIRLS. The songs seem to have a vague Mexican style about them, with highlights being opener ‘Lead Pill’, ‘Breathe Again’ and ‘Walk Alone’ while ‘No Wars’ features an acidic lyrical perspective. Not a disc for your average OFFSPRING or EXPLOITED loving Punk but one for us who realise Punk is more about spirit, attitude, integrity and incorporating variety without compromise rather than hairstyles and nihilism. RIGHTEOUS JAMS – Rage Of Discipline {Kung-Fu} 10-track CDEP originally released on NEW FOUND GLORY’s own label, Broken Sounds. The band hails from Boston and if they are to be believed, wish to align themselves with the city’s Straight Edge founding forefathers SSD. Well, if it’s ‘How We Rock’ era mixed with SLAPSHOT, then yeah, maybe! Most of the tracks here are amazingly slow and ploddy, although ‘Righteous Jams’ does see things accelerate a little. The thing that got to me though was all the macho shit in the lyrics – these guys clearly think their sXe stance is soooooo superior compared with anyone else! Even the press release espouses the fact that the first time the guitarist and singer came into contact was when the guitarist’s gang was beating up the singer’s mates! ‘Macho Insecurity’ indeed! ‘Green Eyes’ is more AC/DC than JERRY’S KIDS and generally I’m left with a feeling of complacency. A couple of CD-ROM tracks pad out a decent package – if mid-paced rock rebranded as HC is your thing.
RIOT/CLONE - Success {Dr. Strange} Quality Anarcho Punk release from this UK band that has, over the course of 27 years, proved sincere, moderately influential and highly entertaining. It could also be said that this album (the band’s fourth I think) could be its best effort. Production is top-notch and musically the band comes on like a cross between the bustle of OI POLLOI and the cynical intelligence of SUBHUMANS (UK). Lyrics tackle what the ‘usual’ Anarcho subjects - capitalism, mass produced waste materials, the evils of TV, animal rights, the music industry, banks, depression - but RIOT/CLONE attack each one with a biting wit and a considered but out-spoken profundity. Besides the actual album (which, if the insert is to be believed, is the final thing the band will ever write) you get the unreleased 2000 EP ‘Acts Of Floccinaucinihilipilification’ which ventures more toward an ANTHRAX/ CONFLICT attack. Add on a booklet full of great imagery, lyrics and further song explanations (which the download generation stupidly miss out on) and you have a solid slice of rebellious, well-thought out Anarcho Punk. It’s a release that makes me proud to be able to remember those CRASS records!!
RIPCORD - Live At Parkhof Alkmaar, Holland 18/09/1988 {Boss Tuneage} A blazing live album from these Britcore legends. I saw the band a few times and really don’t remember it sounding this tight and this savage. Apparently this was the final show of a tour in Belgium, Germany and Holland and was literally a few weeks prior to the recording the ‘Poetic Justice’ album. This recording gives ya 17 tracks in under 20 minutes and rips in a way that a live album from a Britcore band has never achieved before. ‘Furder’ in particular shreds while ‘Censorship’ and ‘Drugshit’ chase it for a close second. As you can see, the highlights are from the classic ‘Defiance Of Power’ album from ‘87 and this is as good as you will ever hear them. SSD and SIEGE (complete with Lee Dorrian of NAPALM DEATH on vocals) supply some covers (although the SIEGE track is a little hap-hazard). Cracking core that hasn’t aged a day - if anything it sounds more vibrant now. Neat insert and splatter CD pressing from Boss Tuneage too!
RISE AGAINST - The Unraveling {Fat Wreck} A remixed, remastered and, if the hype is to be believed, reborn version of this band's debut album, originally released in 2001. I liked the original version greatly and sure, the remix has made it a bit punchier and crisper, but whether that alone warrants a re-release I'm unsure. These 'new and improved' versions always seem like a '1984' style re-writing of history to me. I could be cynical and suggest this is some kinda cash-in now the band is on a major label… Whatever, this is hot, raging melodic HC from this 4-piece that includes two former 88 FINGERS LOUIE fellas. The playing is tight, energetic and the singer has a great embittered, powerful delivery - not unlike the 'DENTS Milo in fact. To make this 'more' than just a remixed reissue, there are a couple of bonus tracks and some new liner notes. An interesting new take on what was originally a very good album - and a release that will no doubt prove to be the proverbial cash-cow.
RISE AND FALL - Hellmouth {Join The Team Player} Fuck me - Hellish is more like it! Eight tracks in an all-too-long 20 minutes of passionless, depressing Metalcore played at a pace more akin to Black Sabbath than DS-13. The sound is lodged in a MADBALL/ ST. VITUS rut and does nothing for me bar turn my stomach and turn me off! The singer sounds like he’s constantly trying to cough up a fur ball - unfortunately it never quite gets stuck in his throat. Terrible stuff that has as much reciprocity with MINOR THREAT as it does with an Andrew Lloyd-Webber musical.
RITALIN - Stop Wasting Time {Rebel High} I've played this a shit-load of times for two reasons. One, it's shit hot. Simple as that. Two, it just seems too good! There's gotta be a fault somewhere in these nine tracks, but I'll be buggered by a badger if I can find it. It kicks off with a furiously-fuzzed guitar before the band slams into the opening, trenchant 'Disposable People'. And it never let's up. It's similar to GOOD RIDDANCE in terms of pace and style but given a primal BLACK FLAG caustic rawness a'la 'Damaged'. Lyrically, it's issue-based and angry as hell. Thankfully, Niam's vocal delivery has clarity amidst the bluster so you can hear exactly what he's raging about. The band behind the vocal provides a hyper-blast of tight and invigorating Punk that's perfectly executed without being overtly polished. Best bits? The acidic thrash of 'Mr. K' and the cascading, freewheeling nuclear frenzy of 'Bassy'. NZ's best band? If not, certainly in the Top Three.
RITALIN/TWO FAT LADIES - Split EP {Rebel High} There's about a year between the recording of the above EP and this, the latest offerings from RITALIN and man, am I glad to see the lads in such equally fine form. If anything, the band has become even more barbed and caustic in its delivery, getting ever closer to that classic raw and primitive BLACK FLAG sound, with maybe a hint of something like the mighty INSTIGATORS thrown in. Dunno if the band appreciate that comparison, but I think it's quite apt. 'Fear And Loathing' is a belter while the politics of 'Not My Idea' share sentiments with the likes of ANTI-FLAG and PROPAGANDHI. TWO FAT LADIES certainly come off as the weaker of the two bands here, but then, just about any NZ band would (bar, maybe, MISSING TEETH). 2FL do an odd Punk-Rock-Ska deal that is reminiscent of LEATHERFACE in many ways. The up-tempo beat of 'Iraq And Roll' really impressed. A neat split release, resolutely DIY and Punk as…
RITALIN - The Pain Tracks {Rebel High} Latest blazing and totally addictive slab of Punkage from NZ's best. This is ultra-limited and considered to be 'demo quality'. Well, it's waaaaaaaay above demo standard and features five tracks of concise, trenchant and ever-improving Punk. There's still a big BLACK FLAG vibe but mixed with the hefty, intricate Punkage of ANTI-FLAG. Buried in the middle of the disc is 'Loosing Out' - one of the band's best tracks yet with a catchy chorus, rolling guitar riffs and busy, pummelling rhythms. If this is 'just' a demo, then I'm drooling for the next album; on this evidence it'll be one of the most vital slabs of Punk NZ has ever produced.
RITALIN - Roguetown {Rebel High} With this 12-track release, RITALIN has not only claimed the title of ‘New Zealand’s Best Punk Band’, they have literally walked all over the competition (which, incidentally, is of an exceptional standard generally) and turned back to kick sand in its face. The comparisons stated on the records above are still relevant but on this noxious, rocking slab o’ Punk, the band has defined its own sound. That BLACK FLAG comparison is still worthy though as the opening locked-down riffage of ‘War Machine’ or the ‘Nervous Breakdown’esque refrain of ‘Don’t Forget’ prove, but here it’s coupled with a totally insistent modern rage that slices the senses and throttles your eardrums. Vocalist Niam employs an impressive range of vocal styles, all of which are quite distinctive and effective. All the tracks on the demo above are here, only in a refined state - tighter, more fluid and more vicious. Lyrically it’s probably the most political and embittered release by the band thus far with ‘Fear Is You Disease’, ‘War Machine’ and ‘Fux And Friends’ really hitting home. This is a release that just bleeds passion and integrity. RITALIN could be your new favourite band - and I can’t think of many more worthy.
ROCK 'N' ROLL MONKEY AND THE ROBOTS - Detroit Trauma {Drastic Plastic} Um… Lo-fi rock 'n' roll that's got more in common with SEBADOH than the STOOGES. It's eclectic stuff with keyboards, samples, distorted vocals and basement guitars yet it still sounds too tame and lifeless - maybe even a little contrived. 'James Dean Was A Jerk' and opener 'Destroying Everything' were OK, but in general, this is just too self-indulgent and not balls-out rockin' enough for me. Far from the Jungle VIP...
ROTTEN APPLES - Real-Tuff (Trash 2001} I gave this a glowing review when eMpTy Recs in Seattle released it originally and its bubblegum Punk burn has not deteriorated during the intervening period. All too often the band gets compared with Brit-Pop dullards Elastica, which is quite inaccurate. These four gals are much tougher, direct and rock ‘n’ roll driven. They shoot from their collective, cantankerous hip as opener ‘Love Career’ proves before upping the pace on ‘Road Rage’ which is all oestrogen laced fury. The singer has a great voice, somewhere between Penelope Houston’s (AVENGERS) ‘fuck you’ bile and Joan Jett’s cool, laid back sass. There are four additional tracks on this version including a couple of covers - one of which is a fun take on the UNDERTONES ‘You Got My Number’. They may be gals, but this rocks with bigger balls than most of their testosterone laced compatriots.
ROTTEN APPLES - Snap Out Of It {Trash 2001} I love this band. A fantastically cock-sure 7" slab from these chicks outta Seattle takes everything on the album above and adds some sneer, some arrogance and some freshness to create a stunningly cool Punk Rock sound that’s more MUFFS than Elastica, or LUNACHICKS meets EPOXIES. The lead track is a swaggering slice of sleazy Punk heaven. Also included here is the band’s awesome take on BLONDIE’s ‘Picture This’. Neat pink/ white heavy vinyl for the first 500 discs too. Easily one of the best bubblegum Punk bands around that has its roots the best of rock ‘n’ roll traditions but executes all it does with an effervescent lust for life that is so essentially now.
RYDELL - Hard On The Trail (Engineer} I’ve long championed this band in the pages of Scanner, although I seem to have lost touch with the band’s progression a little over the last year or so. Little has changed though - the songs are still strong and, if anything, the band seems somewhat more aggressive on this, the second full album. Some of the tracks have a distinct mid-period HOT WATER MUSIC vitality, if mixed with the contours of BRAID and the smooth fluidity of SENSEFIELD. There is some impressive - as ever - guitar interplay going on here as ‘Darkness Before Home’ and album highlight ‘Shifter’ prove. Singer Miles appears to have been snacking on broken glass too as his already distinctive and effective vocal now has a gruff attack about it without losing any of its subtleties. Hopefully this release will finally bring the band the recognition some of us have been demanding for many a year - it’s certainly a strong enough record to justify it.