Reviews

Low Life

Flashes Red That Halo Won’t Hide Those Horns EP

The band describes themselves as “post-COVID,” but they sound almost pre-Y2K to me. Not that I’m complaining, I think many who enjoy late ’90s and early ’00s emo-ish HC will find a lot to like here. The vocals are a gurgle-y growl and the drums often leave a gap between notes, giving the songs the aforementioned expressive emo feel. FLASHES RED switches smoothly from those parts to brief but charged HC thwapping, providing many opportunities for sing-alongs and pointed fingers.

Flashes Red Samepain EP

Four songs that are spat out in an aggressive LEATHERFACE/HOT WATER MUSIC sorta way. These folks are barking down from the Mile High City, and their intent seems to be bringing the melding of melody, a “fuck you” approach, and competent musicianship to the masses. I’d be lying if I didn’t hear a little HÜSKER DÜ in there, too. I wish these folks would try to sing a little more. Like, what ever happened to the MEGA CITY FOUR or DOUGHBOYS or the bands that had great songs and not just yelling and spitting. I was only reminded of this by a couple lines in the song “Apathy of Me,” where the singer takes the yelling-ness down for a couple words. NAKED RAYGUN put out a record a year or two back with similar music and crisp (not yelling at me) vocals, and I think more bands should do that more often. These four songs clock in at just under thirteen minutes. The songs are great. Maybe I’m just getting tired of being yelled at by music I like. I think I’m going to call my mom and ask her if she loves me.

The Downstrokes This Close to Vertigo LP

The guitars on “This Close to Vertigo” are catchy in a conventional, RAMONES-worship way. They got stuck in my head easily. I mean, how is “Go Nowhere Kids” not already a song? But why does the band keep dragging songs past the two-minute mark?  I’m a big believer that a good riff speaks for itself. Excessive repetition can drain punk songs of the momentum they need. I get it, I’ve been in bands and sympathize with wanting to show off a good tune. The DOWNSTROKES should trust listeners to enjoy these tunes on their own merits without pushing a second or third helping.