Category: Buzz Chart

Newly signed to Matador Records, everyone’s favourite Canadian progressive sweary bootboy punks return with their first release for Matador; a reissue of last year’s Vice Record’s released eighteen-minute ‘Year Of The Pig‘ single.

This time, however, the band have edited the full eighteen minute version into a more radio friendly edit that comes in at under five minutes. While we’re not sure of the punk integrity of radio edits, at least some of the pure fucked up glory of ‘Year Of The Pig‘ will be heard on the airwaves and the full version is available on the CD version, alongside three different edits and some storming extra tracks.

For those of you yet to experience the full joy of ‘Year Of The Pig‘, cast aside all of your pre-conceived notions of what you might expect a hardcore punk band like Fucked Up to sound like and soak up eighteen minutes of undiluted forward thinking punk rock. The less adventurous among us can listen to the radio edit.

James Sherry

Filthy denim cutdown (check), bullet belt (check), battered Vans (check), beers ‘n buds (check), cigarettes ‘n skateboard decks (check)… trusty C90 comp tape of ‘Lizzy, ‘Sabbath, Stooges, ‘Flag, RKL ‘n ‘tallica… (check)… okay, let’s get this fucker in the stereo and do it!

It’s been three long years since their last album, but rest assured AT ain’t been stagnating, and “III : Tales of The Ancient Age” finds these Filth Hounds from Oakland in storming form as they explode with 10 spanking new tracks that fuse the very finest Hard Rock, Hardcore and Thrash Metal.

There’s not a weak song amongst ’em, but after repeated spins the stickouts for me were belting opener “Splashback“, snotty ‘n sonic Rocker “Get a Job”, “Bald Headed Woman” with it’s AC/DC styled bad boy boogie, the short sharp “Jonestown”, booze fuelled anthem “Just Guzzlin”… and closing number “Germ Freak (I Ain’t No)” a self proclaimed “filthy, disgusting and lewd” ode to living in the gutter… which has a very neat, neat, neat bass line… heh!

Check out Crossfire’s interview with AT here if you haven’t already.

Pete Craven

After making their notoriously underexposed debut with 1994’s My Love Is Higher Than Your Assessment Of What My Love Could Be, Athens (GA) dirge lords Harvey Milk recorded two more full-lengths (1995’s Courtesy And Good Will Towards Men and 1997’s The Pleaser) before going tits up in 1998 as real life sucked them in and then out.

However, through a series of reissues and live DVDS the band’s cult status grew and they reformed to unleash Special Wishes upon the feverishly lactating public, which has been lactating feverishly ever since.

Fast forward to now and Harvey Milk are back sounding bigger, heavier and nastier than ever before. Spearheaded by the alternately burly and angelic vocal stylings of Creston Spiers, The Best Game In Town is a glorious bucket of sludge that makes the Melvins sound like Peter Andre. Not really, but you get the point. This shit is heavy.

They hit the UK this month with the mighty Oxbow. See them live and listen to their cover ‘We Destroy The Family‘ by LA punk legends Fear. It’s sick

Europe w/ Oxbow!
Jul 12 2008 Supersonic Festival Birmingham
Jul 13 2008 Glasgow Stereo / ABC 2
Jul 14 2008 The Ruby Lounge Manchester
Jul 15 2008 Underworld London

James Sherry

You should know the deal with Mindless Self Indulgence by now. They have simple guitars, they have bleepy bits and they sing about fucking. They have a new album out called If and there is no change in the formula whatsoever.

So why should you listen to this band? Because they’re fucking fun that’s why. The singer is called Jimmy Urine, and no matter how sensible you want to be, that’s funny. Don’t pretend like it isn’t, I can see you sniggering. The band knows what they’re good at and what their fans want and there is no reason to change it.

So press play on Get It Up, lean back, put your feet on the desk and get ready to enjoy lyrics such as “I wanna make some money, but I don’t want no job, I wanna make you horny, but I can’t get it up.” It’s not literary classic, but it is funny!

Abjekt.

Japan’s progression and efficiency in most fields never really lets us down. Well apart from those Tetris blokes on Youtube. You at the back! Stop sniggering! It’s NOT funny. ‘Smile‘ marks the impressive14th full length effort from the Tokyo rock trio and shows no signs whatsoever of disappointing.

Boris are by no means a one trick pony. They can turn their hand to anything with successful results as shown on previous release ‘Alter‘ (their collaboration with Sunn O))) drone god, Stephen O’Malley who also guests on the album). The band’s diverse streak continues with this release.

On ‘Smile‘ the band slip effortlessly from epic yet peacefully melodic drone of opening track ‘Flower Sun Rain‘ to the down right, balls out, rock’n’roll as heard on tracks ‘Statement‘ and ‘Laser Beam‘. The, at times, breathtaking axe-work, courtesy of stoic goddess Wata, shines throughout this record.

She is perfectly accompanied by band mates; Atsuo, who pounds the skins like he’s on crack but with all the precision of a brain surgeon. Rhythm guitar, bass and Vocals are taken care of by Takeshi who drives this band with elegance and grace then a in split second can unleash a wall of furious noise. Rad, I know.

Lyrically, I can’t understand a bloody word. They must be singing about Satan or cool robots or something. None the less, this album has more layers than a stay at home, alone, in your pants, Saturday sandwich.

So the final score and verdict: Human Tetris blokes on YouTube who suck, score 0. Boris who totally rock your f’n balls off, score 14.

Tom Lindsey

A coupla years back a friend of mine played me a copy of Skitkids “Onna For Pleasure” 12″… oh man, I was hooked… this wasn’t just ordinary D-Beat friends, this was full throttle outta control D-Beat that sounded like it had been thrown in a bender with Lemmy, Fast Eddie Clarke, Filthy Animal Taylor, live ammo and half a gallon of paraffin. In other words – furious and downright explosive!

Well, steel yourselves folks, cuz “Besöket Vid Krubban” is their brand new slab of vinyl, and it’s an absolute riot as these Swedish hellheads blaze though seven incendiary numbers that will have your head banging and fist pumping, the momentum is unrelenting, and I know I might be a biting off more than I can chew here… but this is already shaping up as Record of Year.

Decontrol… rockNfukkenroll… you just know it makes sense!

Pete Craven

California’s Living Legends crew are back with a new record, which boasts every single MC on every single track and this 7 track CD does not disappoint.

The massive basslines are what comes to fore especially on the tracks She Wants Me and Pants On Fire. Having crew-sung choruses also helps the sound of record, getting your head popping and your fist pumping as you imagine just how good this sort of music would sound live. And, having seen this crew play live twice, I can vouch for the fact that shit would kick.

The production all the way through is tight and all the rappers bring their A-game. No, this isn’t just another cliché riddled review, it’s the truth. Even Eligh, who I never really got down with, hits the high spots on these tracks. The song you can hear by clicking the link above is She Wants Me, which is coupled with a brilliant video parodying Flavor Flav’s Flavor Of Love show.

As usual it’s Murs and Lucky that steal the show, but the whole of the Living Legends can be proud to have gathered for this one.

Abjekt.

Few things are certain in life, but one thing you can always rely on is the Melvins. For almost 25 years they’ve been consistently creating challenging, mind-melting and ear-bursting music spread across over 25 albums! Not a bad run by anyone’s standards. And the good news is, they just get better and better! Lesser bands normally run out of inspiration by ‘difficult album number two’ but not the sludge-grunge-overlords – ‘Nude With Boots‘ certainly doesn’t suffer from ‘difficult album number 26’ syndrome and picks up where 2006’s ‘A Senile Animal‘ left off.

Once again joined by Big Business duo Jared Warren and Coady Willis (a fantastic band in their own right), the combination of Melvins mainmen King Buzzo and Dale Crover and Big Business create slabs of rock action that ripple with excitement and energy and that now infamous Melvins surge of power.

There’s heavy and then there’s Melvins heavy. Still in a league of their own after all of these years.

James Sherry

My Left Retina is a producer out of London with a penchant for grog.

His new EP, Fever Ate My Fist, is a masterclass is dirty basslines, high-end bleeps and shuddering rhythms and promises that there is a lot more to come from the beat maker. Opening track Chocolate Lime Dub [is there a better name for an opening track ever?] enters the fray with some sinister chords before shaking things up with a ridiculously lo-fi bassline.

Whilst the common theme on the record is the basslines, tracks such as Last Kiss [Neck Tied] showcase his ability to switch things up, the melodic and tuneful track reminiscent of a less cut-up Prefuse 73 before melting into Self Tongue which takes thing to the other end of the spectrum, vibrating and wobbling its way around your head.

The track you can hear above is Gordon Bombay, which begins with a vocal sample today telling us we’re not going to the disco, before thumping your senses with a bassline so heavy, you might just shit your pants. You can hit up My Left Retina by clicking here, and make sure you get your orders in soon, this EP is going to be gone in no time!

Abjekt

Having toured tirelessly around the UK for many months, building a name for themselves with a killer live show and the help of key players in the rock press, KIGH finally inked a deal with Road Runner Records and have now produced a piece of work that should be considered the culmination of their exemplary efforts over the past eighteen months or so. But does it live up to the hype?

To be honest, this record isn’t quite as immediate as I expected it to be. Sure it’s poppy with driving riffs to satisfy those who’re into their more rocky edge, but there’s something about the production that just doesn’t quite fulfill this band’s massive potential in as satisfying a way as I would’ve liked. Fisticuffs is a great opener but for all its energy, it should really pack a bit more of a punch. With the next few tracks, Kids roll out the ‘hits’ with the sublimely melodic choruses that made them a live favourite amongst UK teens on their many countrywide touring slots. Easy Tiger is as memorable as ever but Give Me What I Want comes across as a bit lacklustre.

The tracks that follow continue the soaring melodic feel with balladry and further poptastic gems. It’s all very familiar but there are moments that stand out with pure brilliance. Lovely Bones has some guitar work reminiscent of U2 but KIGH somehow manage to get away with this (God knows how). For each moment of genius, you can’t help but hope for a bit of variation in tempo at some point. It’s all a bit mid-paced. However, the little hooks in vocal lines really do keep you locked in. And there’s no denying that frontman Aled has one hell of a voice.

This is an album of pure pop songs, there’s no doubting that. On the whole they’re totally appealing and sure to be the toast of teenage Britain. Kids have the potential to produce something completely brilliant but until then we have a handful of pop-rock beauties entwined with a few tracks that don’t quite make the grade.

Winegums