| Title: | High As Hell |
| Band: | Nashville Pussy |
| Label: | TVT Records
Festival Records |
| Released: | 2000 |
| Highlights: | Struttin' Cock
She?s Got The Drugs
Wrong Side Of A Gun
High As Hell
Rock 'n' Roll Outlaw |
| Rating: | 8.5/10 |
You don't need to be a rocket scientist to understand the appeal of Nashville Pussy. The
back cover says it all; sex, drugs and ass kicking rock 'n' roll! I mean they even manage
to rhyme cock with rock in the first song, Struttin' Cock. The sound on High As Hell is
big, dumb and loud, which perfectly suits the band's ball busting, fist pumping anthems.
In fact, High As hell could well be the finest AC/DC album in the last twenty years. And
whilst this might not sound like anything particularly interesting, High As Hell actually
works because Nashville Pussy know that rock 'n' roll is not always supposed to be taken
seriously and they play their role to perfection.
| Title: | Scared Straight |
| Album: | New Bomb Turks |
| Label: | Epitaph Records (America) |
| Released: | 1996 |
| Highlights: | Bachelors High
Professional Againster
Look Alive Jive
Telephone Numbrrr
Wrest Your Hands |
| Rating: | 8.5/10 |
The New Bomb Turks aren't your average Epitaph skate-punk band. These guys actually know
how to rock and roll, something it seems most American bands have forgotten how to do.
They sound strongly influenced by such bands as Iggy & The Stooges, The Saints, The
Ramones and the Monomen. Scared Straight, the bands debut for Epitaph, is actually a
collection of demos that the band hadn't planned to release in this form but really the
songs are that good that there is no way that you would really know. Powerful arrangements
matched with intelligent lyrics and the bands willingness to use additional instruments
such as pianos, synthesisers and horns all help give the New Bomb Turks an edge over many
of their contemporaries. Highlights include Professional Againster, Look Alive Jive,
Telephone Numbrrr and Wrest Your Hands. Scared Straight ranks the New Bomb Turks as one of
the best punk rock bands currently going around.
| Title: | Born Out Of Time |
| Band: | The New Christs |
| Label: | Lance Rock Records |
| Released: | 1997 |
| Highlights: | Circus Of Sour
No Next Time
Like A Curse
Afterburn
Another Curse |
| Rating: | 10/10 |
Quite simply, you should own everything that The New Christs have ever released. Failing
that, this compilation is the next best thing. Best viewed as an introduction to the band,
Born Out Of Time contains the band's first two classic 7 Inch singles (Born Out Of Time
b/w No Next Time and Like A Curse b/w Sun God) as well as almost all of their equally
brilliant first album, Distemper. Musically, this compilation is indispensable. Every song
is a highlight. The playing throughout is nothing short of enthralling while lead singer
Rob Younger sings with real emotion and passion without ever overdoing it. The liner
notes by Frank "Oz" Mills are also excellent and give a good overview of the history of
the band.
| Title: | Lower Yourself |
| Band: | The New Christs |
| Label: | Citadel Records |
| Released: | 1997 |
| Highlights: | We Have Landed
When
Asphalt
Annalise
I Come Cheap |
| Rating: | 9/10 |
Nearly 20 years after forming the New Christs, Rob Younger is still making the same dark,
uncompromising and compelling music that he has become renown for. Over the years he may
have mellowed just an inch but he remains as intense as ever. Lower Yourself is only the
New Christs second full length album (not including compilations) and like with every New
Christs record, Younger has assembled an experienced and dynamic line-up to help realise
his resolute vision of rock 'n' roll. In particular, guitarist Mark Wilkinson's playing
is excellent and is complemented well by bassist Christian Houllermare and drummer Peter
Kelly. Highlights include the straight ahead Detroit sounds of We Have Landed and When
while Asphalt is particularly dark and intense. It is also worth adding that the sound on
Lower Yourself is excellent, although noticeably more produced than previous releases.
Listening to this record is like lowering yourself into the dark depths of Rob Younger's
soul. Be prepared.
| Title: | Darkside Of The Spoon | Band: | The Nitwitz | Label: | Get Hip Records |
| Released: | 1999 |
| Highlights: | Landmine Heart
Bad Chemistry
Jackass
N.V.S. |
| Rating: | 8/10 |
I first heard about The Nitwitz through guitarist Tony Slug's and bassist Thumpin' Theo's
involvement in The Hydromatics; one of my favourite bands. Dark Side Of The Spoon is the
band's comeback album as it turns out that The Nitwitz formed way back in 1978.
Unfortunately I find this album to be a disappointment as not only is it a touch too
hardcore for my liking but I also have to admit that I was expecting something a little
more rock 'n' roll, especially knowing what Tony Slug is capable of. However, when The
Nitwitz do decide to play straight ahead rock 'n' roll, such as in songs like Landmine
Heart, Bad Chemistry and N.V.S., the results are impressive. I just wish that there were
more songs in this vein instead of the more hardcore tracks like Fruitcakes and Superslob
, which are pretty unpleasant and displeasing. Despite all this, one has to conclude that
Dark Side Of The Moon still is an impressive album due to its uncompromising nature and
powerful sound. It is sure to appeal to lovers of hard hitting punk rock or as The
Nitwitz say, the mean spirit of downstroke-only chainsaw slug rock.
| Title: | Zoom |
| Band: | The Knack |
| Label: | Rhino Records |
| Released: | 1998 |
| Highlights: | Pop Is Dead
Ambition
Love Is All There Is
You Gotta Be There
Tomorrow |
| Rating: | 8/10 |
I know it sounds corny but the Knack are back with their latest album, Zoom, which
contains fourteen new recordings. Opening with the energetic, effervescent and tongue in
cheek Pop Is Dead, Zoom is nothing but classic power pop, full of memorable songs and
catchy melodies. Other highlights include Can I Borrow A Kiss (with the great lyrics "Can
I borrow a kiss/No cost incurred/And I'll pay you back with interest/If you'll only say
the word"), the Who-like power chords of Ambition, the beautiful You Gotta Be There and
the rockin' upbeat Tomorrow. Along with contemporaries The Rubinoos and The Plimsouls, The
Knack prove it is possible to make a credible comeback after all these years. Zoom is a
great album that sees the band taking a slightly more mature and less serious attitude
than on their original albums and should win them back many new fans.
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