Category: Reviews

Bad Decisions “Subnormal”

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BAD DECISIONS is a drum/bass duo from Bukarest, Romania. Although they have no guitar, they have atmospheres remininding of a band like FUGAZI on songs like “Aire Negro” or “Quantic Heap”.) Their minimalism also brings SLEAFORD MODS to mind at times (“Careless Whisper II”, “You Love Me Yet You Love Me”) and they sometimes dance on the edge of post-punk (“Dog Day”, “Time Ghetto”) and heavily flirt with garage punk (“Playa De Los Peligros”, “Weekend Bloodbath”.) You’ll even here a slight pop touch in “Down In The Jungle” before the chorus get noisy, a mix of atmospheres in the vein of DEUS. A song like “William The Mad” actually reminds me of the French noise rock scene in the 90s and if you need to quiet down, you’ll get some rest after the chaos with “Books” ending this album in a soft and beautiful psychedelic way. /Laurent C.

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Paradise Alley “Bad Timing And Silver Linings” EP

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Just in time before their show at HRH Sleaze festival, this 4 track EP celebrates the 30th anniversary of the band! “Soho Daze” actually takes us back to the times when the band started, when London was witnessing a glam revival mixed to 80s sleaze rock and when flamboyant rock’n’rollers used to hang out at The Marquee, The Fox, The Ship and Gossips. The song really sounds like it’s from the late 80s/early 90s, a kind of mix between The DOGS D’AMOUR and The THROBS! “Backstabber” was written around 2008 and rocks in a STIV BATORS way while “Walk Away” is a heavy rock song with some good STONES guitar riffs thrown in. Finally, the title track of the EP “Bad Timing & Silver Linings” brings back the “Beatutiful Losers” theme in style and makes you want to listen to more. Well done! /Laurent c.

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Doctor Explosion “Superioridad Moral”

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This is the first album in 11 years for this garage-psychedelic band from Spain. It starts with a stoner rock riff and repetitive beats in “Insatisfaccio” before going psych-pop with “Vestir de Mujer.” The Spanish vocals fit well with this music style even on the old-school garage songs like “El Dia Que David Murio”, “La Pollila” or “Grises.” No wonder this band is from Spain since songs like “La Gente No Sabe Gastar”, “Paleto” or “Acidez” are really sunny. It’s easy to imagine that this band must be successful in Spain and in Spanish speaking countries but if you’re into fuzz and garage, you should definitely check them. “Superioridad Moral” is out on Slovenly Recordings. /Laurent C.

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The Duel “Soundtrack To The End Of The World” (The Zak Splash Story)

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“Soundtrack To The End Of The World” is a concept album originally written in 2012 featuring Max Splodge from SPLODGENESSABOUNDS on narration duties. Zak Splash being a fictional artist from the 70s who has a comeback hit in this millennium. The opening track “Zak Splash opens on a quite heroic note reminding me a bit of The WANDERERS or The DAMNED. This is punk rock with girl vocals and a post-apocalyptic atmosphere. The keyboard touch adds an interesting new wave touch to the songs while “Invicible” sounds more like a mix of punk rock, post-punk and 80s heavy rock, quite an original mix! You’ll also get a bit of pop in “Less Every Day” or in “Fake Like You”, a touch of goth rock in “Splash On You” and almost post rock vibes in “You Can Do It.” It sometimes sounds as a jam between BLONDIE and SIOUXSIE & The BANSHEES so it can’t be bad, right? The Fire Goes Out” is a kind of futuristic ska putting an end to this uncommon album. “Soundtrack To The End Of The World” is not your typical punk rock record and might not be the easiest album to get into but it’s definitely worth it. Keyboardist Andy Thierum was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis in 2014 and Proceeds from this release go to the MS Society. The album is out on FFR UK.
/Laurent C.

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Ed Banger & The Nosebleeds “Revolution X”

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Manchester again with ED BANGER & THE NOSEBLEEDS, a band that was formed in Wythenshawe in 1976! In 1977, the band featured future PRIMAL SCREAM drummer Toby Tomanov. Then, ED Banger left the band in 1979 and later joinded SLAUGHTER AND THE DOGS while Morrissey (The SMITHS) and Billy Duffy (The CULT) briefly passed through the ranks!
ED BANGER & THE NOSEBLEEDS were reformed in 2013 by Ed (now Edweena Banger, and identifying as a trans woman) who also has a solo career. “Bite Back Rock N Roll” opens the album with a bang and sets the rock’n’roll mood for the whole album. It is as incisive as early ROSE TATTOO! Songs like “Nobody Tells Me”, “Freedom”, “Worlds Collide” or “Rolling Thunder” all have some raw ’77 punk energy mixed to glammy catchy hooks and melodies while “Can’t Stand The News” brings the NEW YORK DOLLS to mind. “Babylon” is more surprising since it has a jazzy/cabaret vibe and it actually is a nice interlude with saxophone and piano. Songs like “Walk Away” or “The Love Of The Night” will stay in your head for the day after listening to them while the atmosphere almost gets Brit pop with “One For The Road.”The band also gets back to the 50s rock’n’roll roots with “My Kinda Rocker” and offers us their own tribute to the STONES (“Rolling Stoned”) before taking us in the psychotic world of “Riding The Whirlwind.” The last song on the album, “Blinded” sounds more heavy rock’n’roll with a slight touch of DEAD BOYS thrown into it. Far from being a simple revival album, “Revolution X” is a great rock’n’roll record! /Laurent C.

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Eddie Mooney & The Grave “Telephones”/”Lockdown Baby” 7″

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EDDIE MOONEY started in 1978 in Manchester when the punk scene was at the height of its no future fame. Still Unbeatable Records from Germany reissued the band’s early recordings but also has released two singles recently. The latest one “Telephones” is a good powerpop song with sunny positive energy, hand claps and nice vocal harmonies. “Down The Drain” on side B is also quite a catchy powerpop tune that might stay in your head for a couple of hours!

“Lockdown Baby” is another single with lots of handclaps but this one sounds more glam rock’n’roll with a groovy bass than 60s powerpop. “Working Man”,the second song has a bootboy glam vibe and a catchy chorus too. The production makes it sound like it was recorded in the early 70s, check it out! /Laurent C.

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I Love Rich “You Have The Right… To Remain Sexy”

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Good to hear from Chicago’s I LOVE RICH, it’s been a while! And even better to hear that they are keeping the flame of dirty glam rock’n’roll alive! When your opening song is called “Rock’n’Roll Is Gonna Burn”, you’re pretty sure it’s going to rock and it does. This song has a bit of Scandinavian rock’n’roll in it while “God’s Gift To Women” is more classic American rock’n’roll with a good heavy rock guitar riff and a big chorus. If you love KISS then “Rock And Roll Sex Cult” will probably be your favourite track and glam metal fans will sure headbang to “Paid In Sex” and “The Right To Remain Sexy.” Songs like “Rock And Roll Conspiracy”, “Rock And Roll Riot” or “Revolution In My Pants” could be on the playlist of every TURBONEGRO fan and “King Of Rock And Roll” and “Make Out City” might not change the face of music but they won’t fail at making you rock and party! Have a good time all the time? These guys sure know about it! /Laurent C.

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Slaughter and the Dogs “Il Tradimento Silenzioso”

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Manchester’s legendary SLAUGHTER AND THE DOGS is actually now based in Lyon, France. Original singer Wayne Barrett surrounded himself with with four French punk rockers including Thib (NOT SCIENTISTS) and Simon (CLAIMED CHOICE.) Opening with the anthemic street punk “Manchester Boys” and its hooligan backing vocals, things quickly calm down with “Silent Cities” bringing some urban punk desperation and melancholy through a catchy mid-tempo song. You’ll hear a pop touch in “Good Times Are Coming Here Today” and “Ultimatum” is the kind of songs designed to make you sing at their show. The melodic side of the band can especially be heard in “The OK Man” and its acoustic guitar while their rock’n’roll roots come out in “Five Star British Hotel” and their angry punk side in the pychotic up tempo song “Cocaine Smile.” You’ll even get a bit of boogie in “Hooligan Blues” just before “She’s So Far From Home”, one of the catchiest songs on the album. “You Make Me Feel Brand New” brings a sweet pop touch while “Maybe If We Followed The Devil” puts an end to this album with a cinematic atmosphere. Good songs, great vocals and tight musicianship, well you should definitely check “il tradimento silenzioso” out. The album is out on Spaghetty Town Records (US) and Contra Records (Europe.) /Laurent C.

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