Reviews

Treehouse

Bad Trip So Unkind EP

Lately, more bands have been adopting the nasty ’60s punk style (as opposed to the wimpy psych pop or folk approaches), and BAD TRIP are among them. Here the quality is a bit uneven, ranging as it does from a way hot original (“Never Had It Better”) to a fairly lame version of the REMAINS’ “Don’t Look Back,” but they definitely have potential.

Cows Taint Pluribus Taint Unum LP

Took a little bit but I’m convinced that this noise/sludge band from Minneapolis will take their place alongside such dignitaries as KILLDOZER, SCRATCH ACID and even the BUTTHOLES in the ugly-noise heaven. Wild, frenzied cover of “Koyanasquattsi.”

Pagans Buried Alive LP

Finally! Other than hardcore collectors, most of today’s punks have never heard the awesome power of Cleveland’s PAGANS. These blasts (seventeen of ’em) include the seven tunes off their four 7″ records, as well as ten unearthed studio tracks from ’77-’79. The single tracks still seem the hottest, but there are no throwaways here. Get it!

Pagans Dead End America 87 / Secret Agent Man 7″

A reworking of the A-side by this reformed early punk outfit, and it’s got the guts and great bass riffs of the early version. The flip, a cover of the JOHNNY RIVERS classic, is as garage-y and raw as I’d hoped. Basic punk rock.

Pagans Live: The Godlike Power of the Pagans LP

It took me a few songs before I recognized the godlike quality here. But after they really start cooking, the reformed PAGANS recorded at the 7th Street Entry in Minneapolis, has all the charm and quality of a garbage truck as it speeds around trying to kill everyone in its path. Massive, so snag this un and wait for the next studio album.