Reviews

Jimboco

Rousers 1979 Sire Session LP

The Sire label was a big deal back in 1979—think of bands like the RAMONES and the DEAD BOYS. ROUSERS were another of those New York bands, though not one I was ever familiar with. I find this one interesting in an historical kind of way. I’m not sure it’s my thing now or if it would have been my thing back in 1979. It’s got a little too much of that rock’n’roll/rockabilly thing going on for me. I can hear it in the vocals and in the guitar. It’s good for me, but it’s not great. 

TMA What’s For Dinner LP

Who are these guys? Well, whoever they are, they really shred. TMA play totally fast, gnarly thrash with lots of hooks ’n’ tunes. Tight and clean, too. The lyrics are typical “punk rock,” bitchin’ ’n’ moanin’ ’bout everythin’.

TMA Beach Party 2000 LP

An energetic and well-produced follow-up to 1985’s What’s for Dinner? On this record, the band moves away from the rough-edged wackiness that led to comparisons with the ANGRY SAMOANS in favor of a more streamlined, slicker sound. Traces of surf, sixties, and metal are combined into a powerful guitar sound, but I miss the irreverence and originality of the first LP. Still, this is a strong release.