Punk. One could argue that the word is the biggest misnomer in the past 30 years of musical terminology. Ever since high school drop out Legs McNeil and artist John Holmstrom named their magazine that in 1975, musical journalists have perpetrated descriptive crimes and stretched the terminology of 'punk' to describe such acts from Blink-182 to the Black Lips as exactly that. Modern description of the word is a Frankenstein of musical genres that now dwarfs the modern aesthetic. The things that drove McLaren and Westwood to be complete assholes, the glamour of Bowie, the idea that modern "middle-class facsimile of anarchy" can be re-invented in a raw musical sense isn't really within the modern description of the word anymore. Yet some music, in particular this Lude Boys and Combat Zone split entitled 'Punk Is Sick' can encompass the old world feeling that was felt in 1975 and onward.
The beginning of the Combat Boys split features the aptly named Combat Zone, providing catchy pogo powered songs like "Barbaric" and "Fucked Up Head." "Rapist" is a departure from the fast-paced "Intro" and it sounds more like a Lude Boys song. Eric Devo's voice is a rough, smokey punch to the stomach.
The Lude Boys section of the tape is more of a pop-driven sound opposed to the hardcore Combat Zone. More of an americana-based guitar-solo driven emotional trip, songs like "Tip Top" and "Eric Devoe (brought a gun to work)" provide more of a show of electric power. With "Peyote" as the obvious single and the reason you would buy this tape (it's sold out, sorry) this is probably the best 'punk' tape you will listen to this year. The future looks bright and these young men look drunk.
Punk Is Sick
Saturday, November 30, 2013
Monday, October 14, 2013
Speedy Ortiz - Cop Kicker EP and Death of Speedy Ortiz
Speedy Ortiz is fucking good. Pitchfork says it, Allston Pudding says it, The New York Times say it, and I think it, so if you disagree with me you're probably some little shit writing in NME.com's comment section.
Although now "Ka-Prow!" and "Hexxy" groove with cleaner sounds via Inflated Records, you might be surprised to find out that the somewhat-Connecticut-turned-Massachusetts prodigal sons and daughters of Speedy Ortiz wrote those very songs a long, long time ago in 2011.
"Ka-Prow!" actually was off of the Cop Kicker EP, a short four song beauty that has a slightly spacier, lo-fi version of said song that is complimented by three other heart breakers. Even though I do have a personal connection to "Doomsday," "Teething" echos with these la-la-la's line after catchy line and it's really the best song. I believe Sadie produced this herself, every instrument.
Alongside the trusty Cop Kicker is The Death of Speedy Ortiz, an incredibly overlooked piece of work that contains the original version of "Hexxy," (which in this case was called "Hexxy Sadie") which is pretty much the same without the 'speedy' build up. Despite the heavy favorite that is the spite-filled "Thank You," the other songs take on a sort of dark turn. "Blondie" is just plain creepy while "Frankenweenie" drives that depressing, blue aura that made me love this band in the first place. Oh yeah, and Sadie did it by herself again, every instrument.
I first met Sadie in 2011 on the internet. I told her we'd probably be good friends and we've been best friends to this day. Feel free to check out her band and tell them they're the best like I did that day.
Death of Speedy Ortiz
Cop Kicker EP
Although now "Ka-Prow!" and "Hexxy" groove with cleaner sounds via Inflated Records, you might be surprised to find out that the somewhat-Connecticut-turned-Massachusetts prodigal sons and daughters of Speedy Ortiz wrote those very songs a long, long time ago in 2011.
"Ka-Prow!" actually was off of the Cop Kicker EP, a short four song beauty that has a slightly spacier, lo-fi version of said song that is complimented by three other heart breakers. Even though I do have a personal connection to "Doomsday," "Teething" echos with these la-la-la's line after catchy line and it's really the best song. I believe Sadie produced this herself, every instrument.
Alongside the trusty Cop Kicker is The Death of Speedy Ortiz, an incredibly overlooked piece of work that contains the original version of "Hexxy," (which in this case was called "Hexxy Sadie") which is pretty much the same without the 'speedy' build up. Despite the heavy favorite that is the spite-filled "Thank You," the other songs take on a sort of dark turn. "Blondie" is just plain creepy while "Frankenweenie" drives that depressing, blue aura that made me love this band in the first place. Oh yeah, and Sadie did it by herself again, every instrument.
I first met Sadie in 2011 on the internet. I told her we'd probably be good friends and we've been best friends to this day. Feel free to check out her band and tell them they're the best like I did that day.
Death of Speedy Ortiz
Cop Kicker EP
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