CHROME are legendary. Cleopatra has released this two CD best of collection of past CHROME tracks (disc one, 13 tracks) and a sampling of their live 1998 USA tour (disc two, 12 tracks), which makes this release exceptional. Keep in mind DAMON EDGE passed away in 1995, so although he's not on the live disc, for sure he's there in spirit. I applaud this release, as it is well put together. An intelligent move to offer up a compilation of the CHROME boxed set on disc one, and feature an assortment of recent live tracks by CHROME on disc two (a cool musical experience), instead of just trying to sell a live CHROME album. The insert liner notes written by Dave Thompson are also a plus, bringing into perspective why CHROME is the crack of choice. The release is a very good way of introducing CHROME to new listeners, and great ear candy and a way of reflection for CHROME heads.
MALICKIS HAPPY CORN CLUB w/o warning (MENTAL/INDEPENDENT)
Silly and Satanic, but are they serious? I don't know. What I do know is that the production of this five-song cassette from these Niagara punk veterans is impressive. Musically they remind me of a mix between GWAR and the DAYGLO ABORTIONS. Go figure. There is definitely a lot of dark humor present in BRADO CREAMED CORN's lyrics, such as: "I kill little kids, I rip off their heads, I chop off their arms, a spoonful of lucky charms." Not for the faint at heart, that's for sure. MHCC's hometown is Niagara Falls, Ontario, and they seem to be the Honeymoon Killers of the honeymoon capital of the world, bashing it's new Las Vegas/Casino image with the song "Mafia" that tells it like it probably is. Check out their web site for more enlightenment? Contact: Mental Records, 2789 St. Paul Ave., Niagara Falls, ON L2J 2L3. web site- http://www.geocities.com/TimesSquare/Arena/5621/
THE ANTI-SM*RF BAND THE ANTI-SM*RF SONG/THE BUTCHER OF SM*RFVILLE (MENTAL/INDEPENDENT)
"Three apples high, the smurfs must die. Gargamel rules, Azrael drools. Meanwhile back in smurf village, I will attack, rape and pillage" Bad boy BRADO, better known for his frontman work with the infamous MALICKIS HAPPY CORN CLUB, releases this crazy cassette single to conceive what will probably be known as the greatest contribution to the anarchistic anti-smurf campaign to date. Basically, it's an MHCC song, done by only two of it's members (with MARC O' THE BEAST brutalizing the drums) Currently, the lyrics to BRADO's anti-smurf song are featured on practically all existing Internet anti-smurf websites, unquestionably the most poetic and cleverly written of the anti-smurf propaganda available to humans. This cassette represents THE ANTI-SM*RF BAND's message of genocide to smurfs everywhere, an anti-art stomping smurf mushroom madness of music. contact: Mental Records, 2789 St. Paul Ave., Niagara Falls, ON L2J 2L3. web site- http://www.geocities.com/TimesSquare/Arena/5621/
PARTSUNKNOWN - AIRSHOW (DOT-DASH)
This album was produced with Dale Morningstar of THE DINNER IS RUINED BAND, at his THE GAS STATION recording studio (a very appropriate band/producer match-up). That alone makes this release cool. As is a noted influence, you can hear the SONIC YOUTH sound, along with the stylings of other post-punk pioneers of the avant-garde formats. A bold vocal delivery, like hey, listen up, I'm singin' stuff that's probably both deep and rhetorical. Warning, your ears may be neglected of their usual cleaning. As you are listening to this album over time, your ears will be gathering up wax (you being too into AIRSHOW to bother cleaning them) of course, the music is capable of blasting that wax outta there so you have something to cut with to release this on vinyl. PU should be a vinyl only band, they're too arty for the sterile CD format. This is pop music shaken up and erupting all sticky on the listener's PARTSUNKNOWN. Ah ha! AIRSHOW crashes, burns, and flies high all at the same time, making for a fun listen, making music that's a joy the way it should be. Suitable for those that appreciate the real experimental indie scene makers.
THE VISITORS - SNIFFING GLUE (MIND CONTROL RECORDS)
THE VISITORS are a threesome from, I'm guessing, Seattle, Washington. One thing's for sure, this band's debut CD's album cover/packaging kicks ass!: just picture the ELMER'S GLUE COW logo altered to appear as though it's high on airplane glue. The CD holder part is blue! (the simple things matter the most - excellent marketing) The band's major influences can be heard on this release, so imagine mixing up the likes of BAD RELIGION, BLONDIE, CLASH, DESCENDENTS, GREEN DAY, MINOR THREAT, SEX PISTOLS, and the UK SUBS (they even cover "RIOT" with BENJIE BOLLOX on vocals) Don't dismiss these boys as another new school punk band, as that's not the case at all. THE VISITORS have an energetic, fresh and tight sound all their own. To me, this is bubble gum pop/punk/rock, with some light ska to groove things up. The vocals are well done, the range of vocal tempos is noticeable. However, at times I find the lyrical messages are lost, due to the listener being too into the pleasing sound to realize there's a "sociopolitical think punk" angle to this band.
