JUICE MAGAZINE CD REVIEWS ISSUE #53

BLOOD FOR BLOOD, Wasted Youth Brew (Victory) There’s no way you’ve had enough of these guys. Their Boston blue-collar brand of hardcore brings together the sound of Sheer Terror with the attitude of Fear and acts as a Pied Piper of sorts for the despondent outsider in all of us. This disc is 25 tracks deep and full of b-sides, rarities, and live tunes. This should tide you over until they toss a fresh steaming pile your way. — j jobes

THUG MURDER, The 13th Round (TKO) I have no idea where this group got its name. These three slight Japanese girls seemingly have nothing to do with thuggery or murder. On the cover of this, their first album, Yurie Sakuma wears a Ramones shirt. Inside, that’s where it all starts. This is Japanese punk that has nothing to do with Shonen Knife and everything to do with Ramones, Clash, and Sex Pistols envy. If you’re waiting for the punchline of this bad review, there isn’t one. This album makes me want to rock like a little Japanese girl. Buy now. — JED

FAT POSSUM COMPILATION, Not The Same Old Blues Crap II (Fat Possum) Where’s Bob Log III? That’s my only question as this sampler oozes and stomps through 13 brilliant tunes. There’s Junior Kimbrough & Charlie Feathers on a rare track. If you haven’t discovered Charlie Feathers yet, start here. He’s the one singing with all the pain of someone who was almost Elvis in 1955. The title of this disc says it all – a group of blues songs you actually want to listen to. — JED

WATERDOWN, Never Kill the Boy On The First Date (Victory) This new German band is absolutely remarkable. Six guys that put together a blend of melodic punk and hardcore that just kills. The duelling vocals include a ‘singer’ (Marcel) and a ‘screamer’ (Ingo). Heavy enough to keep you interested, but melodic enough that you can’t help but sing. Think of Grade, Snapcase, and a touch of New Wind era 7 Seconds. — j jobes

TEMPLARS, Horns of Hattin (GMM) I’ve been rockin’ to these guys for a few years now and this release stands as a tribute to their dedication to Oi! Lesser bands would be rehashing all of the same riffs or changing their sound so much that it would no longer fit the Oi! criteria; not so with the Templars. As the order of knights they were named after, they have stayed the course and that is a good thing. — Shitbird

MU330, Live - Oh Yeah (Asian Man) Interesting cuts in a time of repetition; not the same old 1-2-3-4. Horns and catchy lyrics collide with a nice rhythm section in this energetic live recording. These cats logged over 1300 shows in 12 years; just one example of how hard these wildmen will work to bring home the goods. — Shitbird

CARLOS MALCOLM, Ska Mania (Up-beat) Carlos Malcolm’s story is one that was all too common in the era of Jamaican ska’s heyday. Slick producers, shady promoters cheating overly trusting, highly talented musicians out of their rightful income, and also their place in the history of music. Mr. Malcolm is the unpaid and uncredited writer of many great songs. The theme to “Dr. No” is among them. The crew is a team of legendary graduates of the incomparable Alpha Boys school, the training ground for most of the great Jamaican musicians of the day. To hear these fine tunes re-released and on cd is a rare and enjoyable treat for all to behold. If you Op Ivy fans want to sink your teeth into a disc that means something,here it is.— Shitbird

MIA, Lost Boys (Alternative Tentacles)
MIA is a great O.C. band that pulls those emotional punk heart strings like no one else can. I had the pleasure of seeing them open for the Vandals and Social D. many moons ago in the village of Pomona. “Boredom is the Reason” is one of the most beloved punk tunes to come out of that scene, for good reason; calling into question the motivation, and futility of the self-destruction that was the coming of age ritual in the punk scene for a lot of young people, myself included. — Shitbird

SUICIDAL TENDENCIES, Friends and Family 2 (Suicidal Records) In the wrong hands, this could be a very dangerous disc. — JED

FARTZ – What’s in A Name? (Alternative Tentacles) Props to any band who at these guys’ ages are using a defamed picture of the Clintons and Gores for their cover. It is impressive how true these guys are to the ideals they held in 1982 when their first record came out. Plus they still kick ass. If you’ve ever liked the Fartz, you’ll definitely like this disc, particularly since there’s a Motorhead cover and a Sabbath cover ("Iron Fist" and "Children of the Grave"). They burn through fifteen songs in thirty minutes. This is how punk should be: raw, political, and pure. — JED

COLD HARBOR, Skeeter Shack Sessions (Lo Fi Mad Scientists) Here comes some ass stompin’ psychobilly from Wilmington, NC. Take the best of the early Cramps and some Legacy of Brutality-era Misfits, throw in hair grease, and a belly-full of PBR and you’re close to Cold Harbor. This stuff hits hard and stings like rubbing alcohol on road rash. — j jobes

CATHEDRAL, Endtyme (Earache) These guys are ready to lead the Hessian Session in full-tilt horn worship. Sounding much like a blackened Melvins cousin, the cd was well received in my castle. Throw the sign of the horned-one and hook-up with this bad boy. Earache, it’s not just an indecipherable warp-speed metal label any more. — Shitbird

ZEN GUERILLA, Shadows on the Sun (Sub Pop) Where do you get to hear bands with such vision? On labels that are cool enough to give ‘em a shot and distribute their music to you and me. One such band is Zen Guerilla, they are a Bay area outfit, and quite rocking or so I was told by an intoxicated woman named Michele in a bowling alley recently. Then I scored the disc. Where in the hell is the rock I have been hiding under? These dudes are in my own backyard and I heard about ‘em in an Albany bowling alley? This release shreds with wild abandon - great, smokey guitar work slung over an exceptionally tight rhythm section laced with anthemic verses. If you have any love for yourself, get this cd and you won’t have to feel like a shit-for-brains who heard about ‘em at the bowling alley. — Shitbird

JUNCTION 18, The Vicous Cycle.(Fearless)
If you were in the eye of a hurricane where there is moments of calm but you know the rest is coming this release would be a good soundtrack for that moment. Or just listen to it on a normal day and it is good then too.

V/A SKINS & PINZ VOLUME 2 (GMM) Oi!Oi!Oi! Oi! will never die. In the tradition of Oi! of glory-days gone by, this multi-volume sampler brings together some of the most exciting Oi! acts in the business. Some well known: Dropkick Murphys, Agnostic Front, Bombshell Rocks, and some lesser known, but equally potent units: Patriot, Ducky Boys, Iron Cross, Anti Heros, Condemned 84, set the tone. It’s more than retro-throw-back sentimentality. It’s living and breathing, and mostimportantly, progressing with more emotion than ever. — Shitbird

VARUKERS, How Do You Sleep? (Go Kart)
This record company has brass, hanging, and majorly hairy nuts for putting out true punk music in this age of pop-ass mall-rat smile-core. The Varukers will destroy all of that dogpuke on contact. This is the real shit, and the pretenders will shrivel in their company. Ruthless drumming upfront in the mix with super overdriven guitar work that makes you want to roll-in on that super-gnar over-vert extension you have been pussing-out on for way too long. The bass work is classic, and appropriate for the overall effect, as is the input of the vocalist. It all works seamlessly to kick your ass into high gear.— Shitbird

ALIEN ANT FARM, Anthology (Dreamworks) These musicians have burrowed tunnels through pop music, and called it punk. But don’t get me wrong, it’s good. It’s not generic like Blink-182. They have an original quality that separates them from the phonies. You know you got something good when you’re not even able to put a label on it. — DAN”ARCHY”

CONFLICT Any of Their Releases (Go-Kart) The disc I received to review was an overview of their illustrious career. Not enough emphasis can be placed on the need for younger listeners of punk to obtain copies of this band’s releases. The sound is so classic you will begin to realize where all the cross-over bands of the ‘80s stole all of their riffs from - these blokes and the ever-important Discharge. This is pure, emotional music with a direct message that is easily accessible to all. Conflict will leave you changed with their strong themes and unique sound that never fails to win over even the most finicky listener. Major props to Go-Kart for having the courage to bring great music to the masses against all odds. —Shitbird

THE DRUNKEN CHOLOS, Livin La Vida Loco (Hopeless) The fact that this is the original lineup of the Queers is either going to absolutely sell you on this disc or turn you away. But this is what gay porn punk rock is all about. Ultimate irony, seven short songs, and enough driving guitar to make you jump off the roof and set the tree in your front yard on fire. — JED

BANABILA, Voiz Noiz Urban Sound Scapes- (Tone Casualties).
banabila has a very distinct mellow funk sound. Very many interesting sounds are incorporated into this album, to give it a unique feel. put the cd in , and mellow out. EVERTS

FALL SILENT, Six Years in the Desert- (Revelation Records)
A perfect example of the famous saying, " Don't judge a book by it's cover". This is not what I was expecting at all. With a group shot of some cowboys holding thier pieces, the last thing I expected was head pounding hardcore.. EVERTS

MANIC HISPANIC, The Recline of Western Civilization (BYO) These cholos got their punk shit down! A little barrio humor mixed in for lyrics and you have a fun CD for your listening enjoyment. A couple good things on the disc are “Get them Immigrated’ (Come out and Play - Offspring) use of the trumpet for the riff and Billy Zoom playing the guitar for the ‘X’ cover “Brown Girl”. — GREENWOOD

HEPCAT, Push n’ Shove (Hellcat)
Hepcat absolutely refuses to make a bad album. — JED

HOG MOLLY, Kung Fu Cocktail Grip (Kool Arrow) Keeping metal alive with hard-hitting guitars and drums. Screaming, piercing, bashing, heaviness that will smash the air right out of your lungs — EVERTS

GEGGY TAH, Into the Oh (Nudo Music)
Fluid synchs, and live instruments pulsate behind strained audio emotions. In some songs they seem like Sting, in some Jameriquie, and in others old Rupert Holmes. Pop lyrics and well-manicured music make this, their 3rd album, a finely crafted compilation of a well described whole. They chance, they play and they have fun. They are veteran lovers of indie rock who explore different rooms in the house of music. — Chelsea

GUIDED BY VOICES, Isolation Drills (TVT) This album is authentic just like the others. Something must have happened to Bob Pollard that made him freak out and decide “I’m going to rock and roll like there is no tomorrow for the rest of my life.” His music is like that movie where the kid runs out into the middle of the street and starts yelling “Wake up! Wake up! Wake Upppp!” He wants us all to wake up and seek the truth like a minister wants us to be pious. — SALEM

REAGAN SS, Reagan SS (Engine) P.O. Box 64666 LA,CA 90064 This is an example of a younger band trying somewhat successfully to recapture the energy of the mayhem that was the early ‘80s. Protest, angry guitars, savage drumming with super-pissed lyrics all in a nicely 1982 styled package. Definitely “lo-fi, and loving-it”. Here people - check-it-out. It may becollectable someday. — Shitbird

VIERNES 13, Viernes 13 (One Shot) (mascarado13@aol.com) I had to do a lot of contorting to actually get a copy of this disc. Do yourself a favor, and use the e-mail address. The singer J.P. will be sure you receive this $6.00 gem. The cd is one of many different styles that defy categorization. What Sublime did to fuse gangsta, reggae, ska and punk, these guys do even more, with a full horn section, and smooth style that will have you wanting to slam-dance in your finest zoot-suit with the posse fully representing. A big score, on the cheap, and underground enough to have your bros scratching theirheads. Get this before they blow-up, and you can say you were there. — Shitbird

V/A, Bits and Pieces (Theologian) 25 songs from 16 bands on this classic punk rock compilation. Pennywise starts it off and F.Y.P., and Pseudo Heroes finish it off. - EVERTS

SON OF SAM, Songs from the Earth (Nitro) I have a few Nitro gems in the old vault - some nice punk re-issues I wore-out the first few thousand plays. Now this. A collaboration of AFI frontman, Davey Havok, various Samhain, and Danzig members and even a cameo by the ‘Little Man in Black’ aka ’He who cannot be named’ (or make eye contact with as per his contract with bandmates) the original goth-dwarf-bodybuilder, and fighter of chicks Glennnnn Dannnnzzigguh!” The disc isn’t as spooky as one might guess but I can’t lie - it rocks. Pick it up for a fun date with fate, baby. And I do recommend you hit-up nitrorecords.com and make a hog of yourself. Most of their releases are mainstays in collections of those who know. — Shitbird

HALF JAPANESE, Hello (Alternative Tentacles) Nerd Rocker Jad Fair won’t stop until he figures it all out. This album is about his new love affair, “this is the good stuff, maple syrup pure.” He used to think everything was one-sided and that was the one thing he was “right about.” The charm and individuality that he approaches his music with lend him perceptions that will make you smile. — SALEM

59 TIMES THE PAIN, Calling the Public (Epitaph) Classic punk with light guitars and thrashin’ drums. The Clash would be proud. —EVERTS

RED HOUSE PAINTERS, Old Ramon (Sub Pop) The Red House Painters make songs about their feelings and there is courage in that. They’ve been around for seven years and they haven’t made much money. They have something that keeps them together — drive and vision. Track five is a beautiful song about an unfolding love affair in Los Angeles. The songs are all about 6 minutes long so there are many places you can go while listening to them. — SALEM

PISTOL GRIP, The Shots From the Kalico Rose These are five kids who absolutely love being punk rock and they let their obvious influences show through. These are 13 strong songs full of Bad Religion and Johnny Thunders and Clash anthems. This is a really good disc that feels like the one before their great one. — JED

DEATH ON WEDNESDAY, Buying The Lie (Vagrant) This guy I work with, walked by wearing a DoW shirt. So, in a failed attempt to avoid listening to the whole album, I asked his opinion. Then ended up hearing the whole album, and a riff-by-riff breakdown. Oh did I mention the air guitar. Yeah, but that is what I get for asking their guitar tech. I did get two tickets to the show with Social D. though. I think the lead singer sounded like a Danzig-Morrissey hybrid, which kind of freaked me out. But I liked it. Mikey liked it. — Chelsea

FROGWINGS, Croakin’ at Toad’s (Flying Frog)
This disc is so coooool, man. I mean, to think that so much jammin’ talent could get together and share all the love, man, I’m totally trippin’. John Popper, Butch and Derek Trucks? In the same band? Wow, man, the tradition continues. Ain’t nuthin’ cooler than blowin’ some hootch and just feelin’ this disc. - JED

RANDY, The Human Atom Bombs (Burning Heart/Epitaph) I think it is safe to say that the Clash have inspired about 560,000 punk bands, 50 of which are worth a shit. This is one of those bands. Randy combines the anthem and power of the Clash with the party punk of the Buzzcocks and make a great summer-time band. This disc, in particular will be in my summertime barbecue rotation. There’s a couple of clunker songs, but just push your shuffle button, you’ll never know. - JED

ENSIGN, The Price of Progression (Nitro) As tough as this NJ hardcore supergroup tries to sound, you can tell on this release that they’re just one "Enter Sandman" away from being scorned by every dude in America that takes his hardcore a little too seriously. . — JED

P.A.I.N. (Pain Records) Reggae rockin, cannabis cup party top of the bush flavors, red, gold, green, with a tasty wrap of rockin’ guitars. — EVERTS

SAVES THE DAY, Stay What You Are (Vagrant) I wanted to hug it, kiss it, pet it and call it George. I made this my soundtrack for the last week. I am addicted, check me in and get me a goddamm sponsor. If you like pop punky-emo-fuckifIknow, then you will cherish this. Pluck it from the stacks, grasp it to your chest, and love it like a puppy. Then make sure to check out their other albums, especially their acoustic one. — Chelsea Burris

TIGER ARMY – II: Power of Moonlite (Hellcat) I’m not sure how to take this band. The cover looks like a child molester’s van – all airbrush and purple and orange. And then when you start to listen, here’s what you find: punk, cowpunk, psychobilly, Sublime, synth-pop-like singing, lyrics from P.M. Dawn, Eastern melodies. And all this mush kind of forms up into a train that chugs along. Sometimes you think that train is going to derail and kill all the children in a small Midwestern town, but it
doesn’t. It’s pretty good, I think. — JED

USELESS ID, Bad Story, Happy Ending (Kung Fu) You think it’s hard getting your born and bred US band successful in the States? Try getting a band from Israel out to the kids! The fact that these four could be mistaken for Billie Joe from Green Day, Dave Grohl with a bleach job, Anthony Kiedis with dreads and Weird Al’s better-looking brother just makes the fact that Useless ID’s the Middle East answer to MxPx all the cooler. Solid punk pop with harmonies – produced by Kris Roe of the Ataris! – and an overwhelming desire to bring falafel to the masses. How can you go wrong? — Finchley

AMERICAN NIGHTMARE, Background Music (Equal Vision) Hardcore, play it loud! — EVERTS

LOU REED, Ecstasy (Reprise) Some people do exactly what they want. The Rock-n-Roll Animal is one of those people. A legend — an icon of NYC, narcotic, orgy, art openings, who can sell his songs to Super Bowl commercials with a clear conscience. He writes for himself and in so doing he shares what’s real with us, something we’ve always been able to count on from Mr. Lou Reed. You could say this album is both ugly and pretty, just like all the things we have to go through to find ecstasy. — SALEM

MIGALA, Arde (Sub Pop) The song titles are in Spanish. It was made for Migala. It is primarily instrumental. The man sings in English and sounds just like the German singer from Can. I know nothing about this band. I only know that I like this album and I’ve been listening to it for two weeks straight. Freedom, love and a view of the ocean several hours before a storm from tall cliffs in Portugal. Melodic, accessible avant-garde. — SALEM

GORILLAZ (Virgin/Parlophone) This is the best idea any of these band members ever had. Members of Cibo Matto and Blur, along with Del the Funky Homosapien and a dude from Buena Vista Social Club have all gotten together to make a great dub album. And they’re all represented by four cartoon characters. Get your copy quick before it’s too popular. - JED

V/A, Back To Mine - Groove Armada (Ultra)
As the title of the series suggests, this isn’t what famed DJs play in clubs, it’s what they play when they’re at home. In actuality, it’s the roots of what you hear them play out. The duo of Tom Findlay and Andy Cato have a diverse and highly musical background that goes far beyond the reaches of the dancefloor. Starting point is A Tribe Called Quest’s“Description Of A Fool (Groove Armada’s acoustic mix)” moving onto Barry White’s timeless croons on “Playing Your Game Baby.” The mellow, gentle mood continues throughout with occasional tuneful melodic beat numbers hitting on Tony D, Dayton, Groove Armada themselves, Roots Manuva, Al Green and Mica Paris along the way. It ends on the unlikely, yet perfect choice of Tears For Fears’ “Pharaohs.” This is a perfectly chilled disc. —Lily Moayeri

MANIC STREET PREACHERS - Know Your Enemy (Virgin) With their sixth album, the Manics take a political turn. Always an inherent part of their make up, with tracks like “Freedom Of Speech,” “Let Robeson Sing” and “Baby Elian,” the tone is unmistakably political with pointed references to Cuba. But Know Your Enemy is not all serious. On the Pet Shop Boys-tinged “Miss Europa Disco Dancer,” vocalist James Dean Bradfield becomes a dancefloor diva. On the Joy Division-esque “Wattsville Blues” he exercises his vocal prowess by going an interesting monotone. The best parts of the Manic Street Preachers stay intact and the new parts are a welcome addition. — Lily Moayeri

NORTHSIDE KINGS. (Thorp records)
Take a chainsaw and start it up over your roomates head while they are sleeping. Then turn it off and push play, fast forward to song three, lock them in the room and leave. I guarantee they will come out later as a fan of Northside kings.-FRONTSIDE

SOUND TEAM, s/t (indie) Light acoustic guitar tunes with some harmonica and some interesting rhythms. From loopy to sleepy. If the Beatles, Beck and Cake put all their extra fat cells in a laboratory they might grow a new clone-like organism that sounds just like Sound Team. — EVERTS

NIKKI SUDDEN, The Last Bandit (Alive/Total Energy) Rocker blood in his veins - a veteran of the war you have to fight to shove, pull and carry yourself around the world, making music for friendly strangers in dark places. The songs on this album soothe and rock. The songwriting is solid, it has quality, it makes you think and understand a new place, Nikki’s place. It’s beautiful, deeply. I love this album. — SALEM

ADEMA, Album Advance (Arista) At first I was afraid this album was just another Limp Bisket/Korn/Perfect Circle influenced Rock Metal band, and then I gave it a listen and realized I was right. But I also remembered that I have the above-mentioned albums. Strong guitar riffs and angry and/or bitter lyrics tell the tale of this genre. The lead singers voice is like Pepto-Bismol smooth, and coating. If you are over it though, it might taste more like ipecac.— Chelsea Burris

V/A, Redirection (Polyvinyl) There are 13 tracks to stuff in your ears from soft cushy rock to some faster funk. Clean out your ears and put some Polyvinyl tunes in.— EVERTS

ME FIRST AND THE GIMME GIMMES, Blow in the Wind (Fat Wreck Chords) I never thought anyone could cover a Cat Stevens song, but they somehow managed to do it and keep it good. This band is known for their shiny new toy punk covers of oldies, goodies, and songs off the Dirty Dancing-type soundtracks. This album thrilled me. I can put this in my car while running late to work; half dressed, coffee deprived, and still be happy when I get there. — Chelsea Burris

THE DEEP EYNDE, Suicide Drive (Black Cabaret) Dark rock with some punk hiding out in the background. Kick it up to the 10th level and it’s guaranteed to stick in your head. —EVERTS

WHISKEYTOWN, Pneumonia This is a posthumous disc from a band who over their career steadily improved as songwriters and as a band. It would stand to reason that this is best work, then. If you like countrified music, you’ll like this disc. - JED

GARLAND BUCKEYE, More Seas Than Before (Hello) If these guys were popular seven years ago, they might have been called grunge. Some slower hypnotic rock mixed with some faster borderline punk. - EVERTS

BLUELINE MEDIC, A Working Title in Green (Fueled by Ramen) I think it was therapy for these guys to make this relationship rock cd. Dealing with a girl through some mellow rock. Makes you think.- EVERTS

CADILLAC BLINDSIDE, The Allegory of Death & Fame (Fueled by Ramen) I think these guys have some issues to deal with. As far as lyrics go the whole album is one long song. Just think, if we all had planned marriages by our parents, these guys would have nothing to sing about. - EVERTS

FIRESIDE, Hello Kids (Crank!) These guys are from Sweden. They got sent back once because they lost their visas. Maybe if they played their Swedish rock a little faster we would have let them stay. Some fast stuff, but mainly slow bass-driven songs. - EVERTS

CAVITY SEARCH, Audio Resume (Cavity Search) It says right inside, "don’t call this a compilation or a sampler!" but I don’t know any other words in English to describe a collection of different songs from different bands on the same label. It is a group of songs from Cavity Search Records, who hoisted Elliot Smith into the coffeehouse stratosphere. This disc shows that Elliot was not a fluke, nor the best of the talent on this label. The disc is full of ethereal, well-crafted songs that experiment in all different directions. I don’t know what Portland, Oregon is like, but I know they have a great fucking soundtrack up there. - JED