Review / 200 Words Or Less
Diarrhea Planet
Aloha (Reissue)

Formed in 2009, Nashville, Tennessee’s Diarrhea Planet initially were known for their goofy name more than anything else, but with the 2014 reissue of their first EP Aloha, it becomes possible to see why their reputation has only grown over the past few years. A full on assault of wicked, snarling guitar licks, punchy rhythms and amusingly vulgar lyrics, this early work has an appealingly primitive quality, showing a band that just wants to rock out and have a good time. 

Aloha’s longest track “Ghost with a Boner” is snotty, immature, and generally unpolished, though those same descriptors could stand as positive qualities describing the five-song album as a whole. Rip-roaring opener “Power Moves” is placed alongside the more down’n’dirty, bass-driven shuffle “Get Stimulated” and comparatively more restrained, singalong punk rock of “Coral Beard Harris.” The album finishes up with “Where Are You,” a modernized surf rock tune in which lead vocalist Jordan Smith declares he’s “partied the shit outta myself.” I suspect that some listeners might feel they’ve done the same after this appealing, fast and furious ten minutes of tunes which would be a good introduction to (or refresher course demonstrating) Diarrhea Planet’s infectious energy.