Top Sounds - A

AFFLICT - I Want It, I Need It... Gotta Have It {TCBYML} Originally released back in 1989, this is a digital only reissue of this Dutch band’s second album. You get 13 tracks that have that kinda slightly warped Hardcore sound of Alternative Tentacles - think PART TIME CHRISTIANS, TH’ INBRED, CRUCIFUCKS and a bit of NOMEANSNO. The songs are abrasive, confrontational at times (check ‘Sharon’) and in some cases could’ve been trimmed down a bit. Interesting stuff though, with particular standouts being the title track that had me thinking of SNFU, the snappy ‘Only One’ (that has a distinct sense of Biafra-esque timing about it) and ‘Sharon’s Remainder’ that continues the theme of that previous, confrontational track and is equally as disturbing. New stuff to me and, while it is very much of its time, still something that deserves some attention. (10.04.21)
AUTOGRAMM - No Rules {DIY} PODCAST PLAYED Second album from this trio outta Vancouver (albeit via London and Berlin). You get 11 tracks that fuse DEVO-esque electro New Wave with something along the lines of melodic Insdutrialisms of THRILL KILL CULT and the odd sprinkling of MEAN JEANS-esque Punk Rock.  In fact, the opening title track embodies all of those! Highlights include ‘Jody Is A Cop’ that has a MAGAZINE feel about it, the dark, electro-pulse of ‘I Am A Situation’ that also features an exquisite instrumental section, ‘Future Primate’ that features a bass line straight out of the Steve Severin songbook and the uplifting, slightly spiky closer ‘Shut Up!’ while highlight could be the joyous, wall-of-sound of ‘Too Loud’ that probably has Phil Spector turning in his grave with envy. I really enjoyed this; it’s Punk in attitude, Indie Pop in delivery, clever in structure and oh-so much fun!! Going out on a limb here, but this could be the surprise hit for 2021 in the House Of Scanner. Wonderful stuff. (31.12.22)
Hit HERE for material reviewed prior to 2021 including:
ABOLITIONIST (5 reviews), ABRAZOS (2 reviews), ABUSEMENTS, ADOLESCENTS, ADRENALIN OD (3 reviews), ALLVARET, AMERICAN SPACE MONKEY, ANSWERING MACHINE, ANTI-SYSTEM, AR-KAICS and AUTOGRAMM (2 reviews)