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Blood Brothers - ‘Burn Piano Island Burn’ (Artist Direct Records) 

I first saw the Blood Brothers at the More than Music Festival in Columbus last year.  I had never heard of them and was totally unprepared for their show which was a complete force of nature.  They were completely unhinged every song turning on a dime whenever they felt like it, completely unpredictable.  Two lead singers scream and sing usually at the same time.  What struck me was how completely tight they were at conducting this cacophony.  They didn’t’ miss a beat and I was hooked.  Surprisingly they have now found their way on to a major label and this album is produced by Ross Robinson of Limp Bizkit and Korn fame, but oddly doesn’t suck.   I’m sure somebody in a suit saw the two lead singers and figured, hey we got ourselves another Linkin Park on our hands, but the Blood Brothers remain untamed.  There is no evidence of an outside hand directing the proceedings here.  This is still primal, barn burning stuff.  To give a song by song rundown would be pointless.  The lyrics are very abstract and sometimes take the form of small dramas with multiple characters.  They temper some of the noise with piano and acoustic guitars on a couple slower numbers, but the majority of these songs are very abrasive.  If you are into any of Mike Patton’s post-Faith no More projects or John Zorn’s Naked City, this will be right up your alley.  Many people will no doubt dismiss the Blood Brothers just because they are touring with disposable bands like The Used and AFI and their connection with the aforementioned Robinson, but like Mr. Bungle I think they will find their niche and earn some respect. (Dave Ignizio)

Butthole Surfers – ‘Brown Reason to Live/Live PCPPep’ (Latino Buggerveil) 

Finally, the first two Butthole’s eps have been released on CD.  For those poop saps that got into this band via their corporate rock sellout phase and “Pepper”, this is the real deal.  This is nsane noise rock psychedelia from Texas, guaranteed to fry your brain and slather it in Bar-B-Q sauce.  Includes such classics as “The Shah Sleeps in Lee Harvey’s Grave”, “Hey”, “Bar-B-Q Pope”, and “Wichita Cathedral” both live and in the studio.  Even at this early stage of their career, Paul Leary’s distinctive guitar style was already becoming evident, and like their contemporaries The Big Boys, The Surfers showed little interest in pinning themselves down to one style.  As seems to be mandatory with reissues these days, there’s also a few bonus tracks.  Live versions of “Gary Floyd” and “Matchstick” a studio track called “Sinister Crayon”, and a demo version of “Something”.  This is a necessary addition to any serious alternative music fan’s collection.  (Bob Ignizio) 

Happy Rainbow Death – ‘Random Thought Generator’ (self released) 

These guys have definitely listened to a few Mr. Bungle albums, but then any band that jumps around from genre to genre the way Happy Rainbow Death do is bound to get compared to Mike Patton and company.  Regardless, this is some good stuff.  You’ve got to have chops to play music like this, and HRD definitely deliver in the musicianship department.  They also know enough to reign themselves in for the benefit of the song, and tunes like “Shovel Violence” and “Marijuana Married Your Momma” have their undeniably catchy passages.  In my opinion the title track is the real standout number, though.  I've always like bands that aren't afraid to be ridiculous and HRD is as fearless as anyone in that respect.  Definitely worth a listen if you like genre blending and high caliber musicianship. (Bob Ignizio)

Jacknife Powerbombs – ‘demo’ (self released) 

I’ve been kind of lukewarm on these guys in the past, but at least some of that can be chalked up to so-so live mixes.  Now that I’ve had a chance to hear these studio incarnations of the band’s material, I’m starting to come around.  I can’t say I love everything on here, but “Spraypaint Don’t Lie” and “Set to Go” are both catchy punk rock rave ups that show these guys do indeed have the necessary songwriting chops to have a shot at bigger things.  The rest of the songs are ok, but don’t quite measure up to the aforementioned pair of barnburners.  At least part of the problem is the drumming, which often seems too busy and on occasion sloppy.  Nothing fatal, though, and now that they have Commander Wally (The Squirts, The Interceptors) sitting behind the kit things can only get better.  Hopefully their next recording will do away with the few reservations I still have.  In the meantime the band sells this demo cheap at shows and overall I’d have to say it’s worth it.  (Bob Ignizio)