If I can judge the quality of summer by sweet record scores, this summer is going to be "2 AWSUM 2 HANDL".
Edit: I forgot that I was supposed to write quick reviews of this stuff too. WHOOPSIE.
Wasted Youth- Get Out of My Yard
Total surprise seeing this at the record store, but man was I excited. I generally think that every band has the potential to write one and only one absolutely perfect song, and this album holds that single hit from these LA punks. Young and Bored is an excellent example of the sort of catchy punk songs that Adolescents popularized. The rest of the album is real good as well, but it just cant compete with such a strong first track.
RKL- The Best Of
Essentially a collection of Keep Laughing, Beautiful Feeling and their cover of The Ramones' Chinese Rocks, this is a great collection of all their best stuff. But in the end I would much rather listen to each recording separately, especially considering the Beautiful Feeling EP is placed square in the middle of the Keep Laughing tracks, who's brainchild was that?
Superseven Sampler
Again, cool compilation of tracks from various Superseven EPs, but as with the RKL comp, individual EPs reign supreme.
Nardcore Compilation
Now this is what I'm talking about, a reissue of the excellent Mystic Records Nardcore compilation, featuring bands from Oxnard, CA and the surrounding area, with a fairly distinct regional sound. Sweet comp all around, full of tracks that as far as I know were never released on any of the individual band's releases. If you've never heard this, pick it up or download it or something, just get it as soon as you can. And then resist the urge to start skateboarding and shred the gnar.
Crumbsuckers- Life of Dreams
An often forgotten band of the NYHC/Metal crossover era, especially compared to bands like Leeway. But I've always had a soft spot for this band, even moreso than their Sutton-fronted compadres. This is an album full of sweet thrash riffs without being too metal, NYHC without being too NYHC and clear punk influences without being too punk. Perfect combo, this band is a hidden gem, too bad this was their only good album.
Blitz- All Out Attack
Seriously, I dont know why I have to even review this. Blitz is one of my top 3 bands, and the opportunity to pick up a copy of their very first EP was too good to pass up. If you have even a passing interest in Oi, Punk, New Wave, Hardcore, Britain, Skinheads, Punks, Music in general and haven't heard this band, you've been doing something wrong.
The Slobs-Demo
Great band, and they played a Poison Idea cover which is what really pushed me into picking up this EP. Great punk in the vein of a slightly fast Adolescents and slightly slower Poison idea. I wish the songs had more hooks but it's just a demo and I have a feeling they'll get a lot better by the time they put out a real recording.
School Jerks-Nothing Else
First off I'll point out the obvious, the art on this EP fucking rules. I think it's probably a prerequisite of punk to at one time be a snot-nosed kid drawing swastikas on their desk at school with no clue what they meant, so good. The music itself is great too, 3 short frantic punk songs with ultra snotty vocals there is no time to get bored of anything to do with this band. Highlight is easily the last track Passed Out, great catchy riff and the perfect length. My only bone to pick here is that I wish it came with a lyrics insert or something because despite the good qualities the vocals hold, clarity is not one of them.
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