The Body
I’ve Seen All I Need To See
Thrill Jockey (2021)
Where to start with The Body? The duo has been creating harsh, noise-filled music for well over two decades and have a release schedule that is, frankly, terrifying to look at. The sheer number of albums, splits, EPs and stand-alone collaborations that The Body has produced is insane and the quality has remained consistently high considering. Chip King and Lee … Read more
The Bootstrap Boys
New Beginnings
Independent (2021)
The Bootstrap Boys are a four piece outlaw country band from Grand Rapids, MI. I fucking hate country music with a passion that can't be put into words. I hate that somewhere around 2007, damn near every punk friend I had were listening to Johnny goddamn Cash and Waylon fuckhead Jennings. Jocks, preps, and rednecks were our sworn enemies and … Read more
The Carvels NYC
I Want You Around b/w My Little Troll
Independent (2021)
The Carvels NYC released a little single for the holiday season. I know that the season is already over, but this single still deserves to get a little attention from you. So pay attention! On the A-side of this single we find “I Want You Around”. The name might sound familiar. This is a cover of one of their influences: … Read more
The Carvels NYC
In Real Life b/w Feelin’ Stabby
Independent (2021)
The Carvels NYC still exist! And from what I heard it is only thanks to perseverance from their side. Like so many others the band saw plans fall apart due to Covid. They gave that a positive twist with Live At The Cutting Room. Unfortunately more disappointments followed. I can only admire a band that isn’t willing to throw in … Read more
The Copyrights
Alone In A Dome
Fat Wreck Chords (2021)
It’s been so long since The Copyrights put out an album that I kind of forgot they’re still active: seven years, according to the press release. But they’ve had a lot going on in that time (haven’t we all), dealing with personal and family issues and such. They returned last year with a big new record though, titled Alone In … Read more
The Dirtiest
Sovranista
Slovenly (2021)
Uno- Due- Tre- Quattro! Wowza, that’s a spicy meat-a-ball! A bubbling pot of Marky Ramone primo pasta sauce with a healthy dose of Calabrian Chillies will have this handful of Italian punk Rock traveling down your gullet, down to the cauldron of acid-eating liquids, and catapulted back up like a gigantic slingshot of acid reflux. Buzzsaw Johnny Ramone blistering cheese … Read more
The Dumpies
Drunk Dial #8
Drunk Dial Records (2021)
A quick word on the Drunk Dial series. Basically, the label asks bands to get intoxicated, then record an original a-side and a cover b-side.On #8, we get The Dumpies, who deliver 4 songs at a total runtime of five minutes. It’s fast, catchy and harmonized rough-around-the-edges garage-punk goodness. Take some of your favorite garage bands and speed them up. … Read more
The Living
1982
Loosegroove (2021)
The Living will transcend and be reincarnated on April 16th via Stone Gossard’s (Pearl Jam) label-Loosegroove. This release is getting a lot of attention namely because the band contained a 17-year-old Duff McKagan of Guns N’ Roses fame. Digging into the punk rock vault a bit deeper the band also contained drummer Greg Gilmore who went on to play in … Read more
The Lurkers
The Boys In The Corner-7”
Damaged Goods (2021)
Formed in 1976 in West London, The Lurkers have been projecting, pontificating, poignant punk rock and catchy chorused songs for 40-plus years. Currently comprised of three original members being Pete Stride, Nigel Moore and Esso. This is the second single to come off the 2020 album Sex Crazy with an unreleased track. Record Collector nerd alert the 7” is also … Read more
The Mighty Mighty Bosstones
When God Was Great
Epitaph (2021)
Okay, look: The Mighty Mighty Bosstones need no introduction, but here's one anyway. These suit-clad gentlemen may be Boston’s most important punk export. For over 30 years, they've been active in the city’s hardcore scene and introduced masses of American kids to the sounds and messages of real ska music. They never fell into the suburban skate punk trappings that … Read more
The Mimes
Plastic Pompeii
Lets Pretend (2021)
After all the bedroom pop to come out of quarantine, we finally have a band doing something new that sounds like a real record, not an experiment. The Mimes features Maura Weaver, John Hoffman, and Megan Schroer, who played together in Boys long ago, and more recently in separate projects such as Homeless Gospel Choir, Ogikubo Station, and Vacation.Fittingly, The … Read more
The Muslims
Fuck These Fucking Fascists
Epitaph (2021)
Fuck These Fucking Fascists is the fourth full-length by the Muslims, and their first on Epitaph. As the name suggests, it’s complex music steeped in subtle political theory. Just kidding. This is straight-up angry, screamy punk with overt politics. Which is often needed, especially in the current environment. Besides the title track, other song titles include “Crotch Pop A Cop,” … Read more
The Obits
Die at the Zoo
Outer Battery Records (2021)
Die at the Zoo is a live recording from Obits, live in Brisbane, Australia, in 2012. There are 16 songs from the band’s catalog and it was recently released on limited vinyl by Outer Battery. There are probably two main angles for looking at a live record: is it capturing a time and place, or is it capturing an essence … Read more
The Right Here
Northern Town
Rum Bar Records (2021)
Northern Town is a fitting title for this album. It feels like winter: cold, lonely, and daunting. It’s the third record from The Right Here, based in Minneapolis, MN, one of the northernmost cities in the continental US. The band play alt-country with punk undertones. The songs are a little more expansive than your standard punk thang, with more lament, … Read more
The Wheelz
Twenty/Twenty EP
No Front Teeth Records/Boulevard Trash (2021)
This was a hard review to write. It’s not because this EP is bad, but because it’s so damn good. The pandemic has left us all dying to go to live shows again, and this EP from The Wheelz is four songs of straight-up, fist-pumping, body-slamming sing-a-long anthems meant to be experienced in a live setting. I’ve known Tony and … Read more
Tipper
Insolito
Tippermusic Records (2021)
One of the pioneering acts in the glitch/IDM area of music, Tipper, hit us up with yet another record. Right off the bat, I can’t vouch that it has the same kind of punch as say Jettison Mind Hatch or Forward Escape. Although, I think it’s a little unfair to compare it to said records, as Insolito is just an … Read more
Tomahawk
Tonic Immobility
Ipecac (2021)
It would be nice if art could exist in a vacuum. I’m certain that a person finding Tomahawk randomly on YouTube or Spotify or whatever would have far different opinions than somebody who has known of Mike Patton since Faith No More’s The Real Thing blew up, which is probably like fifty albums ago in the Patton discography. Personally, Tomahawk … Read more
Tomoko Omura
Branches Vol. 2
Outside In Music (2021)
Today we’re looking at one lovely record - it’s Branches Vol. 2 by Brooklyn based Japanese violinist and composer Tomoko Omura. Tomoko’s works span a fairly vast territory, encompassing areas from jazz, modal jazz, post-bop, Japanese folk, gypsy music, and fusion with varying musicians. Branches Vol. 2 is the physical and spiritual successor of Branches Vol. 1. I actually never … Read more
