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CD REVIEW :: ZOZOBRA :: Harmonic Tremors
Cave-In diehards still shivering at the thought of their trusty band perhaps calling it a day need not fret. Seems Hydra Head is continuing to release side-projects from the Cave-In crew, the best being this disc from bass-growler Caleb Scofield and his partner in another Cave-In offshoot, Old Man Gloom. Here Scofield revisits the finer moments on Cave-In’s Perfect Pitch Black and adds some dirge and drone. One track even sounds like Godflesh… yep, that woke you up. But mostly this is groove-based, metallic rock with those patented Scofield grumbles and rumbles. I mean, is it just the distortion settings on this dude’s bass amp, or has he figured out the patent to loosening bowels? See any of these 10 tracks for proof that really loud low-end is the quickest cure for constipation. Harmonic Tremors, indeed. And yes, the Cave-In fellows poke in here and there, most notably some vocal guesting by Stephen Brodsky. With releases like this, who needs a new Cave-In record, anyway? Count how many times the words Cave-In appear in this review and win a dusty Voivod cassette. [Hydra Head, hydrahead.com] by Jason Schreurs (jason @ wonkavisionmagazine.com)
Rating: WWWW
DUSTBIN REVIEWS
ASSUCK :: Anticapital
Assuck are the greatest grindcore band of all time (alright, maybe tied with Brutal Truth).
It’s true, no exaggerating—to this day, no grind band has beaten Anticapital’s memorable songs, ludicrously perfect drumming (where is this guy now?), great riffs, and beyond-excellent lyrics. The production’s muddy, but there’s more than enough feeling here to make up for that. On Misery Index, the band’s next “album” (it was 15 minutes, but better than your band’s most recent “album”), they streamlined and created something even more brutal; with Anticapital they stretched their wings a bit, with amazing results. Well, if songs that are 45 seconds instead of 30 means spreading their wings. Who cares, just shut up and listen to those drum fills. Perfection. That time their drummer spent in Nasty Savage sure paid off. The weird thing is, why does no one talk about this band? Anticapital is the sound of extreme metallic perfection. [Sound Pollution, 1992] by Greg Pratt
DINOSAUR JR. :: You're Living All over Me
With their sophomore release and debut on punk institution SST Records, Dinosaur Jr. were like a shock to the system of indie rock, spawning a generation of bands who would ape the style of this record with varying levels of success. Over 20 years after the fact, this mix of rough-edged pop tunes, blistering lo-fi weirdness, and punk spirit approaches normal, but at the time was unprecedented. Not only that, but this record cemented J.Mascis' title as slacker guitar hero, making it safe for guitar solos in indie rock. The sonic fingerprints of this album can be found all over the “alternative” explosion of the ‘90s, though few bands attained this level of inventive songwriting. You're Living All over Me still has plenty to offer decades after the fact—the sign of a true classic. [SST, 1987] by Kevin Nelson
LAGWAGON :: Trashed
Before there was Hoss, before fans praised the efforts of Double Plaidinum and Blaze, and long before the emotionally driven Resolve, there was Trashed. Okay, first there was Duh, but Trashed was always the "second and better album" by Lagwagon. Still showing more than a touch of metal influence in its sound, Trashed was a heavier version of the Lagwagon sound fans have come to know and love. Guitar riffs and shredding solos abound, the sound isn't quite as polished as later efforts, but the band still delivered 14 great tracks the way your mother would like 'em—fast and hard. It's definitely been surpassed in songwriting by later Lagwagon efforts, but Trashed is still worth returning to for a different side of the band. And while the more popular "Brown Eyed Girl" cover came from this effort, so did the L.L. Cool J pseudo-cover as a hidden track. Word. [Fat Wreck Chords, 1994] by William Jones
ZINE REVIEWS
by Kevin Nelson
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APPLICANT
Edited by Jesse Reklaw
Printing excerpts and photos from Ph.D applications to an anonymous Ivy League school from the ‘60s and ‘70s, this ‘zine proves what the form excels at—the weird and niche! Choice, small quotes below each picture captures the internal life of each subject, providing strange depth and familiarity. Recommended!
[microcosmpublishing.com]
YOU'RE NOT THE BOSS OF ME
By Michael Bowman
Magazine collages and pen and ink drawings converge on the page to ask the eternal question—who's the boss? Featuring cryptic phrases, an excerpt about God poking around people's brains, and drawings of monsters and skull-faced people, this is friendly weirdness of the garden variety. An entertaining, short read.
[velveetaheartbreak.blogspot.com]
REAL RAW
By Chris Kline
This hand-numbered, hand-printed art ‘zine uses a strange wallpaper motif to link oddly juxtaposed images. It feels like the ink may smear in your hands at times, and the cut of the paper is rough, giving it a more personal, DIY vibe that I quite enjoy.
[saltysnackart.com]
THE ZINESTER'S GUIDE TO PORTLAND
Edited by Shawn Granton
True to its name, 14 ‘zine writers give you a low-to-no budget tour of their hometown, broken into neighborhoods and attractions. Topics ranging from public transit, to food, to art supplies are covered, offering tips and tricks from those who've lived in the Rose City. More informative and inspiring than any travel brochure could ever be.
[microcosmpublishing.com]
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