Another Houston TX punk band reissued by the excellent HotBox Review label. 20 tracks in total, 15 of them previously unreleased. If you don't know this band they're up-tempo 70's US punk rock with something of an experimental side and lots of originality. Some of the members also served in CULTURCIDE.
The first single I.U.D., usually referred to as the first Houston TX punk record, was also available on the Bloodstains Across Texas complilation LP some time ago, but the rest of their original releases are kind of hard to find. This includes all sides of both singles and the track Siamese Love that originally appeared on the Are We Too Late For The Trend Texas sampler.
There's also 5 demos and 9 live tracks here. The studio recordings of Think That I'm Insane, You're Crazy and No-one There are at least as good as the singles. You're Gonna Die is simply great.
The live recordings have a decent sound quality and includes some songs never studio recorded. You can hear traces of the SHADOWS Apache in the beginning of one of them followed by a long organ solo. Others are either more straight forward punk or 60's pop rock songs.
Comes with a 16-page full colour booklet with sleeve notes by three of the band members, photos, sleeves, flyers and song details.
Can't find much wrong with this release (except it's not on vinyl).
The debut EP from London band BUBBLEGUM SCREW who call their music glam punk.
What we have here is mid tempo guitar rock not unlike STIV BATORS solo album or a very laid back NEW YORK DOLLS. 4 tracks in all.
Lyrics about failed relationships, drugs and rock'n'roll, with familiar stuff like ''I just live for today'' and ''I'm a rock'n'roll loser''.
Some good guitar solos and an over all cool feel to it, even though you've heard most of it before. The production (by SIMON TROUGHT from TELEVISION PERSONALITIES) is good, and suits the band well. It doesn't feel dated, but still doesn't have the common modern (UK) problem of a flat digital metal sound either.
I like it.
This one got lost on my kitchen table for more than a year, so appolgies for the very late review.
The band's from Stockholm, Sweden and features English guitarist GREG HELL (ex MR. ZIPPY) plus assorted Swedish metal guys.
Apart from the title track, a rather dull power ballad, this is harder and faster 80's hair metal mixed with Scandinavian Action Rock. It's catchy and well played, and if the band didn't look like KORN fans they could probably cash in on the current Swedish sleaze wave as well as what's left of the Action Rock scene.
Yes, them again. This is their 5th CD released this year. 7 tracks, 2 of them cover versions, 1 of them an alternative mix.
First (and last) song Strange Things is pretty good in a monotone way, with some wah-wah solos. Their version of Psycotic Reaction is at least a bit different to most punk band's versions of it.
Musically this is professionally played, but somewhat off-the-rack mid tempo hard rock and 77 punk songs, with a modern production. It's all fairly good, but missing something to make it really special. The lyrics are sci fi stuff, sometimes well written, sometimes not.
Probably their best release this year, or maybe I've just grown used to them.
