Reviews

For review and radio play consideration:

Please send vinyl (preferred), CD, or cassette releases to MRR, PO Box 3852, Oakland, CA 94609, USA. Maximum Rocknroll wants to review everything that comes out in the world of underground punk rock, hardcore, garage, post-punk, thrash, etc.—no major labels or labels exclusively distributed by major-owned distributors, no reviews of test pressings or promo CDs without final artwork. Please include contact information and let us know where your band is from!

Desecration / Subverse split LP

We forgot this one last issue, but don’t you miss out. DESECRATION (AZ) hits hard with a dozen songs reminiscent of the new UK thrash acts (HERESY, RIPCORD, etc.), with excellent caring social/political words. Canada’s SUBVERSE keeps up the momentum with a harsh, abrasive thrash sound with hoarse vocals, also possessing good sentiments. A great introduction to two of the hottest up-and-coming HC acts.

Descendents Liveage LP

This is the swan-song for the DESCENDENTS—without Milo again they’ll be called ALL and thankfully this live record isn’t an end-of-the-career-rock-bullshit move. It turns out to be an extremely tight “best of” set recorded in Minneapolis. A lot of the clunkers from previous albums sound incredibly gutsy with the in-yer-face production. A classic.

V/A Super Seven Sampler LP

In their never-ending series of comps, Mystic Moody presents fourteen tracks by fourteen bands. All of these tracks are taken from previous 7”-ers. Cool cover and some classic SoCal punk rock.

V/A Schmurz-Pilation LP

Anywhere from three to five tracks each from Toulouse’s PIN PRICK, LE BLOB!, BLABLA SCHMURZ GROUP, JOZEFS ET LES PHILLES, and SWINGLE GARROTE. All the groups play various types of ’77 punk, most of which is infectious and peppy. JOZEFS and the band are an all-female group that shows its ’77 roots best, SWINGLE GARDEN are young and powerful, PIN PRICK rock quirky and French. Good stuff.

V/A Rat Music for Rat People, Vol. lll LP

Well, it’s finally here and it’s actually pretty damn good. A lot of bigger names here like CORROSION OF CONFORMITY, ADOLESCENTS, DOGGY STYLE, D.I., RAW POWER, ADRENALINE O.D., RAW POWER, and WHITE FLAG. The cut from MOJO NIXON about drug testing was a surprise but a welcome one. Some of this is available on other things but this is a nice sampler.

V/A Praise Grandma cassette

This tape is #4 in a series from Bad News Cassette Zines. Some of the eleven underground acts featured are: the PARASITES, DREAM SMASHES, and BLOWFISH. An interesting mixed bag, you won’t be bored. Buy or fry!

Halo of Flies Garbage Rock! 12″

More guitar raunch garage punk here, though it’s a bit more eclectic than in the past. Side one rocks hard with that “just a little off” quality that makes it special. Side Two is a bit too disjointed for me, but it’s still hot.

The Gruesomes Steal This Tape cassette

Metally HC, but often more metal than HC, with the cheesiest DEF LEPPARD/JUDAS PRIEST vocals I’ve heard in a while. Lyrically, “Nazi Baptist Commando” is good, but the rest blow. Lyric of the week: “I masturbate, ejaculate, and wipe it on the wall.”

The Great Scouts Diamond Boat EP

I get the feeling of potential greatness here. Like the very first recordings by HÜSKER DÜ, this has a rigid, almost experimental guitar atmosphere. Mostly instrumentals and some of the driving guitar sounds grab at that amphetamine push of early URINALS.

Godfathers Birth School Work Death / S.T.B. 7″

Their first major label release shows their usual pop flair and basic beat, though both tunes are more blues-based than previous releases. Catchy, but I wish they cut loose a bit more with that ever-cool guitar.

The Flamin’ Groovies One Night Stand LP

Recorded in Australia in ’86, this latest incarnation of the GROOVIES contains originals (dating back to ’67) Cyril Jordan and George Alexander. Included are reworkings of “Kicks,” “I Can’t Hide,” “Shake Some Action,” “Slow Death,” etc., as well as some WHO and r’n’b covers—all inferior to either their own previous versions or the originals. While I admire their rock’n’roll dedication, there’s a real lack of spark or insanity here.

Falwells We Suck cassette

Rough and tumble old style punk rock here, very spirited, similar to the VANDALS, LOVE CANAL, etc. Slap in the face lyrics deal with religion, society’s problems, and some very backwards lyrics on “SLUT,” the title tells the story.

Default Faith or Fraud cassette

Now that 7 SECONDS has gone on to “other things,” these guys may be able to take their place, judging by their solid thrash energy with singalong choruses and words stressing equality and social change. Really good—now watch for vinyl. P.S. Some profits go to No More Censorship Defense Fund.

Dark Age Kali-Yuga EP

This four song EP sung half in German and half in English leaves me wanting a translation, and the two English ones, “Remember Soweto,” and “Man vs Nature,” have simple but admirable lyrics. There’s one mid-tempo punk song, one slower ballad, and a couple catchy, crunchy songs with gnarly vocals and a stab at originality. Pretty good.

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.”

Couch Flambeau Models 12″

This fourth record is more esoteric musically by being thematic blues in “White Boy Blues,” metallish in “Satan’s Buddies” (great song!), and funky in “Song with a Message.” But the jokes are just as poignant lyrically and musically as they’ve ever been. I’m glad the rumors of this band breaking up weren’t true. Their classic humor and skilled playing are as great as ever.