Cleveland’s Terminal Lovers are kind of avant garde, kind
of loud and ugly, and kind of poppy all at once. I can’t really pigeonhole them
into a particular style but it’s definitely some sort of hard rock. “Darkest
Hour” is a rip roaring garage rocker with a lead break that might be at home in
a Judas Priest song while “Straight Pipe Solution” is more of a groove oriented
number that sounds a bit like Chrome. “She Delivers” delivers some tasty guitar
harmonies and vocals that sound like Iggy Pop and David Bowie’s love child and
“Wishing Loan” features a mellow six minute instrumental intro that eventually
explodes into some heavy duty rock. I think my favorite track is the dark
ballad “Stella”, but the more up-tempo and aggressive “Fan” is a close second.
The band does occasionally indulge in some extended jamming and experimental
moments but never to the point of self indulgence. Nice job on the lyrics,
too. This is as good as anything I’ve heard this year. If you can't
find it in stores go to the Shifty Records
website. (Bob Ignizio)
Various – ‘You’re Gonna Want to Crank
This Shit Volume 1’ (SFL Records)
SFL Records is a fairly new label based in Cleveland, OH
and this comp features all their current artists each contributing 2 tracks.
Production quality varies a bit from band to band: nothing too slick, nothing
unlistenable (although there is a very noticeable glitch on one of the
Uppertanks songs). The tracks I liked the most were Bad Habit’s “Punk Love”,
The Uppertanks’ “We’re the Uppertanks” (despite some boneheaded homophobic
lyrics), and The Narcoleptics “I Hate You”. The Indigents and Concrete
Trampoline aren’t bad but the tracks they have on this comp didn’t grab me. The
Facials have some good songs, but the drumming could use some work. The label
was giving these out free but last time I looked all the promos had been passed
out. You can still get a copy for $2.00 at the SFL records website
www.sflrecords.com or free with any other CD purchase. (Bob Ignizio)
This release brings a
smile to my face! Mostly cuz of singer F.T.'s vocals. This could be The
Crucifucks album we've all been waiting for after all these years. Doc Dart,
don't get mad, instead take it as a compliment. With vocals like this driven by
real punk rock music this is one of the hits of the year. A few fillers like
"Cell Phone Blues" and "Catch the Flow" but all in all this music is original
and filled with art and imagination. Several tracks have F.T. rapping while
still retaining that punk rock feel. "Hoosier Cruiser" is a rockabilly/punk
song. The songs are all catchy and I must say it's great to hear such diversity
on a realease that works. As I said with big compliment, Vortis are The
Crucifucks of 2003. I hope they don't take offense cuz as I said this is a
welcome release every punk should pick up. Political disgust the way it should
be and strangely no swear words. Stay tuned for unlisted bonus track. (Mike
Salamone)
Hmmm, I pondered
while looking at this CD. The cover looks like an ad for a movie in your local
newspaper. Even the songs are listed as "scene one", "scene two", etc. So I
slip the disc into the CD player and immediately I am blown away by what I hear
- Intense death/grind/hardcore with brilliant musicianship!! Before I know it
I'm into the third song. The tracks connect without a space in between. This is
one exciting listening experience. I am a big fan of these guys without even
hearing the entire CD. The more I hear the more I love it. The musicianship,
the song structures, the screaming vocals..... What a band!! Occasionally
Adolfo's vocals touch on sounding like the Accused without being a direct
rip-off. They kind of remind me of Cleveland’s Oblongota (now broken up). This
is great stuff! I'm committing idolatry this is so great. Lyrically, it deals
with relationships and a few songs on society. I hope these guys tour.
Withallsincerity are BRILLIANT!!!!! (Mike Salamone)
Cleveland’s Terminal Lovers are kind of avant garde, kind
of loud and ugly, and kind of poppy all at once. I can’t really pigeonhole them
into a particular style but it’s definitely some sort of hard rock. “Darkest
Hour” is a rip roaring garage rocker with a lead break that might be at home in
a Judas Priest song while “Straight Pipe Solution” is more of a groove oriented
number that sounds a bit like Chrome. “She Delivers” delivers some tasty guitar
harmonies and vocals that sound like Iggy Pop and David Bowie’s love child and
“Wishing Loan” features a mellow six minute instrumental intro that eventually
explodes into some heavy duty rock. I think my favorite track is the dark
ballad “Stella”, but the more up-tempo and aggressive “Fan” is a close second.
The band does occasionally indulge in some extended jamming and experimental
moments but never to the point of self indulgence. Nice job on the lyrics,
too. This is as good as anything I’ve heard this year. If you can't
find it in stores go to the Shifty Records
SFL Records is a fairly new label based in Cleveland, OH
and this comp features all their current artists each contributing 2 tracks.
Production quality varies a bit from band to band: nothing too slick, nothing
unlistenable (although there is a very noticeable glitch on one of the
Uppertanks songs). The tracks I liked the most were Bad Habit’s “Punk Love”,
The Uppertanks’ “We’re the Uppertanks” (despite some boneheaded homophobic
lyrics), and The Narcoleptics “I Hate You”. The Indigents and Concrete
Trampoline aren’t bad but the tracks they have on this comp didn’t grab me. The
Facials have some good songs, but the drumming could use some work. The label
was giving these out free but last time I looked all the promos had been passed
out. You can still get a copy for $2.00 at the SFL records website
This release brings a
smile to my face! Mostly cuz of singer F.T.'s vocals. This could be The
Crucifucks album we've all been waiting for after all these years. Doc Dart,
don't get mad, instead take it as a compliment. With vocals like this driven by
real punk rock music this is one of the hits of the year. A few fillers like
"Cell Phone Blues" and "Catch the Flow" but all in all this music is original
and filled with art and imagination. Several tracks have F.T. rapping while
still retaining that punk rock feel. "Hoosier Cruiser" is a rockabilly/punk
song. The songs are all catchy and I must say it's great to hear such diversity
on a realease that works. As I said with big compliment, Vortis are The
Crucifucks of 2003. I hope they don't take offense cuz as I said this is a
welcome release every punk should pick up. Political disgust the way it should
be and strangely no swear words. Stay tuned for unlisted bonus track. (Mike
Salamone)
Hmmm, I pondered
while looking at this CD. The cover looks like an ad for a movie in your local
newspaper. Even the songs are listed as "scene one", "scene two", etc. So I
slip the disc into the CD player and immediately I am blown away by what I hear
- Intense death/grind/hardcore with brilliant musicianship!! Before I know it
I'm into the third song. The tracks connect without a space in between. This is
one exciting listening experience. I am a big fan of these guys without even
hearing the entire CD. The more I hear the more I love it. The musicianship,
the song structures, the screaming vocals..... What a band!! Occasionally
Adolfo's vocals touch on sounding like the Accused without being a direct
rip-off. They kind of remind me of Cleveland’s Oblongota (now broken up). This
is great stuff! I'm committing idolatry this is so great. Lyrically, it deals
with relationships and a few songs on society. I hope these guys tour.
Withallsincerity are BRILLIANT!!!!! (Mike Salamone) 