Razzle Dazzle, better known as RZL DZL on this side of the computer screen, is Detroit's latest hardcore export, and yet another Lockin Out exclusive. The appropriately titled Both features their 5" release, 555, as well as their Demo Revisited 7", offering a more accessible way to listen to RZL DZL than hunting down two out-of-print records. RZL DZL plays a brand of fast, short, and attitude-filled hardcore. This release definitely fits in with the rest of the Lockin Out catalog, and I'm sure it will catch on with many Mental or Slumlords fans. Ill Will, Haroun, and whoever else is down to pick up an instrument set out to be chiller than most.
The album begins with the intro "Ebimbib," which almost always got skipped over on the 5" due to the fact that 5" records are a pain in the ass. I'm glad I get to hear all 5 seconds of it at last. "RZL Property" states that despite the record being really derivative, it's completely and totally chill, because RZL DZL ensure that it's gonna be awesome. "Big Chips 2" follows up with, well, I can't really tell, all I know is vocalist Ill Will obviously wants me to suck his dick if I'm not down with it. "Certified Pranksters" begins with a harmonic version of Cold World's "Refuse to Lose" and keeps going, and going, but thankfully it is only 28 seconds. "Spice Packs" - Detroit slang for weed - is by far the record's best song, so smoke it up, because it all goes back to downhill. "Dirty Work" acts as a much needed revival - term used loosely, the lukewarm guitar solo made my ears perk up in interest - and then Both ends on a good note with the self-titled "RZL DZL."
For a record that clocks in at around ten minutes, Both sure does drag on. The songs are boring and formulaic, and the lyrics don't help things become more exciting. It's a bunch of one-liners that failed to make me laugh. Bruce Campbell, Ill Will is not. My main problem with RZL DZL is that only four of the ten songs on this CD are memorable, and only 2 of those songs I'd say are actually good. They're like a goofy version of No Warning just doing this band to pass the time. With so much of this album as filler I just cannot recommend the album for purchase. Well, there's my beef with RZL DZL, I'm off to make a fucking sandwich.
