Carrousel I Don’t Want to Be Here LP
This is a strong, atypical sing-along hardcore punk release from Lehigh Valley, PA. Look, I know what you’re thinking—“weren’t the RUSSIAN MEATSQUATS a strong, atypical sing-along hardcore punk band from Lehigh Valley?” Yes, they were. Also, not unlike the RUSSIAN MEAT SQUATS, CARROUSEL is fast, singable, high-velocity, sarcastic, poignant, and oddly relatable. Alyse’s lyrics are fired-up, relentless, and her delivery is on target. Also, I’m an easy mark for any band that has a song about the movie The Warriors. The thirteen tunes are tight and rocket through seamlessly. Also (times two), I’m a sucker for ridiculousness, so when the circle-pit mosh part of their tune “Frogs” comes in and the band chants “ribbit” like it’s a CBGB NYHC matinee of little green hoppers, I love it. Also (times two plus one), although this release might sound tongue-in-cheek at first pass, the lyrics have many points where there’s an honesty and vulnerability that keeps a band like CARROUSEL from plopping into the parody band category. Also (times two plus two), the rad cover art was done with great style and attention to detail by Rick Cornejo. Also (times two plus three), I hope that they play Northern Michigan sometime because I’ll certainly be there.