Deadweight – ‘Stroking the Moon’
(Alternative Tentacles)
Like many of the
artists on the Alternative Tentacles label, Deadweight are not easily
categorized. For starters, this trio consists of a drummer, a cellist, and a
violinist. But if you’re expecting chamber music, you’ll be in for a surprise.
Deadweight takes these instruments generally associated with classical music and
runs them through various effects to get a sound that is 100% rock, albeit
somewhat weird rock. The final result has elements that bring to mind Morphine,
Primus, Nomeansno, Clutch, and various Mike Patton projects while not sounding
exactly like any of them. While I often feel that too much musical ability can
get in the way of a good song, that doesn’t happen here. There are plenty of
interesting and complex passages, but the virtuoso playing and odd tempos never
distract from the well written songs. The vocals and lyrics are on the same
level as the musicianship. Highly recommended for those who dig eccentric but
accessible rock. (Bob Ignizio)
Endless
- ‘Decades of obscurity’ (Da'Core Records)
This 7 song release, at least I
take it, contains songs from Endless' career that are "obscure". The first four
songs are your typical modern day definition of hardcore with lyrics about being
a strong person and not living a life dictated by someone else. While I use the
word "typical" I must say Endless is above average as far as it goes. Tight
musicianship and well-structured songs. The highlights begin with track 5, a
cover of Suicidal Tendencies "Subliminal" which does a great justice to the
song. E. Corbin's growly vocals are excellent on it, making this one a
keeper. The last two songs were recorded live sometime in 1995 in Virginia and
sound more like 80's thrash than punk or hardcore. These songs, "What's it All
For" and "Words I preach", also make this CD worthy of a good music collection.
(Mike Salamone)
Final
Solutions are yet another band featuring the extremely prolific Jay Reatard.
Since The Reatards split up, Jay has somewhat moved on from his garage-punk
roots. His current main band, Lost Sounds, took that garage-punk base and added
elements of new wave, post-punk and even black metal to the mix. Like his
recent one-off project Bad Times, Final Solutions keep things a little simpler.
This LP comes off like The Reatards covering some Killed By Death-style stuff
with a touch of The Lost Sounds new wave influence. Like their debut 4-song 7”
(2 of the tunes from that are redone here), nearly everything here is
top-notch. Great snotty vocals (Zac handles vocals here, Jay is behind the
drums and contributes backing vocals), lyrics that range from pissed-off to the
nonsensical, and a load of varied catchy songs. Straight-up snotty rockers like
“Eat Shit” and the title track contrast nicely with the more pre-punk inspired
tunes like “I See You On A Path” and “40 Licks”. One of the best new punk rock
LPs of 2003, easily. First 200 copies on colored vinyl, with a CD version
coming soon. (http://www.misprintrecords.com
http://www.geocities.com/thefinalsolutionsmemphis ) (Russ Romance)
Hammerlock – ‘Compromise is For
Cowards’ (Steel Cage)
It’s pretty easy to
find out where you’re gonna stand on this CD by just taking a look at some
simple facts. The band name refers to a hammerlock on a gun, not the wrestling
move, the CD has 2 guns on the cover, they’re endorsed by the Confederacy of
Scum, and there are covers of both Waylon Jennings and David Allan Coe. Throw
in the album title and song titles like “Hate is Not a Crime” and you have a
pretty good idea what you’re in for. Those of you still reading shouldn’t be
disappointed by this new Hammerlock disc, their fourth full-length. Led by the
husband/wife team of Travis and Liza, Hammerlock have always blown away bands
like Nashville Pussy who they seem to have a lot in common with. You won’t find
any calculated attempts at a redneck image or attempts to sell the band based on
sex appeal here though – just tales of being broke, taking care of a family, and
of course drinking. With the exception of the acoustic DAC cover, all 14 tracks
here are the same hard driving rock n roll found on previous releases, and tunes
like “Oldest Friend”, the piano-backed “California Highway” and “Looking for
Cans to Buy A Cold One” rank up there with their best stuff. Best enjoyed with
a bottle of Jim Beam nearby. (http://www.steelcagerecords.com
http://www.hammerlock.net ) (Russ Romance)
Like many of the
artists on the Alternative Tentacles label, Deadweight are not easily
categorized. For starters, this trio consists of a drummer, a cellist, and a
violinist. But if you’re expecting chamber music, you’ll be in for a surprise.
Deadweight takes these instruments generally associated with classical music and
runs them through various effects to get a sound that is 100% rock, albeit
somewhat weird rock. The final result has elements that bring to mind Morphine,
Primus, Nomeansno, Clutch, and various Mike Patton projects while not sounding
exactly like any of them. While I often feel that too much musical ability can
get in the way of a good song, that doesn’t happen here. There are plenty of
interesting and complex passages, but the virtuoso playing and odd tempos never
distract from the well written songs. The vocals and lyrics are on the same
level as the musicianship. Highly recommended for those who dig eccentric but
accessible rock. (Bob Ignizio)
This 7 song release, at least I
take it, contains songs from Endless' career that are "obscure". The first four
songs are your typical modern day definition of hardcore with lyrics about being
a strong person and not living a life dictated by someone else. While I use the
word "typical" I must say Endless is above average as far as it goes. Tight
musicianship and well-structured songs. The highlights begin with track 5, a
cover of Suicidal Tendencies "Subliminal" which does a great justice to the
song. E. Corbin's growly vocals are excellent on it, making this one a
keeper. The last two songs were recorded live sometime in 1995 in Virginia and
sound more like 80's thrash than punk or hardcore. These songs, "What's it All
For" and "Words I preach", also make this CD worthy of a good music collection.
(Mike Salamone)
Final
Solutions are yet another band featuring the extremely prolific Jay Reatard.
Since The Reatards split up, Jay has somewhat moved on from his garage-punk
roots. His current main band, Lost Sounds, took that garage-punk base and added
elements of new wave, post-punk and even black metal to the mix. Like his
recent one-off project Bad Times, Final Solutions keep things a little simpler.
This LP comes off like The Reatards covering some Killed By Death-style stuff
with a touch of The Lost Sounds new wave influence. Like their debut 4-song 7”
(2 of the tunes from that are redone here), nearly everything here is
top-notch. Great snotty vocals (Zac handles vocals here, Jay is behind the
drums and contributes backing vocals), lyrics that range from pissed-off to the
nonsensical, and a load of varied catchy songs. Straight-up snotty rockers like
“Eat Shit” and the title track contrast nicely with the more pre-punk inspired
tunes like “I See You On A Path” and “40 Licks”. One of the best new punk rock
LPs of 2003, easily. First 200 copies on colored vinyl, with a CD version
coming soon. (
It’s pretty easy to
find out where you’re gonna stand on this CD by just taking a look at some
simple facts. The band name refers to a hammerlock on a gun, not the wrestling
move, the CD has 2 guns on the cover, they’re endorsed by the Confederacy of
Scum, and there are covers of both Waylon Jennings and David Allan Coe. Throw
in the album title and song titles like “Hate is Not a Crime” and you have a
pretty good idea what you’re in for. Those of you still reading shouldn’t be
disappointed by this new Hammerlock disc, their fourth full-length. Led by the
husband/wife team of Travis and Liza, Hammerlock have always blown away bands
like Nashville Pussy who they seem to have a lot in common with. You won’t find
any calculated attempts at a redneck image or attempts to sell the band based on
sex appeal here though – just tales of being broke, taking care of a family, and
of course drinking. With the exception of the acoustic DAC cover, all 14 tracks
here are the same hard driving rock n roll found on previous releases, and tunes
like “Oldest Friend”, the piano-backed “California Highway” and “Looking for
Cans to Buy A Cold One” rank up there with their best stuff. Best enjoyed with
a bottle of Jim Beam nearby. (