Negative Runners Nightmare Agenda LP
Hurtling out of the gate on second album Nightmare Agenda is France’s NEGATIVE RUNNERS. They’re proud members of their punk local scene in Saint-Étienne, the city that’s home to the quartet, their studio of choice, and the record label putting out this album, which is a classic, rough-edged burst of melodic hardcore that tackles the joys and struggles of everyday life. Collecting ten songs into the album’s twenty-three minutes, Nightmare Agenda doesn’t wear out its welcome, and repeated listens slowly reveal meaning as its mix of gruff punk, hardcore, street punk, and even a touch of pop punk, thanks to some very well-placed organ, worms its way into your consciousness. The signposts to LEATHERFACE and HOT WATER MUSIC are clear, with one of the band’s vocalists sounding like he’s gargling from a glass of angry bees, but there’s also the occasional nod to NOFX from his counterpart. Together, they and their bandmates have created some great, urgent punk that keeps you coming back for more.