The following is a review of a mix that I received at this year’s annual exchange. The swap is generally a random affair, but I was still fortunate enough to get a bunch of well-rounded selections contained under the title THE PARTY’S OVER. One Sean Hill, a fellow comrade of the Niagara Mix Tape Union created this compilation quite flawlessly.
There’s a lot involved in digesting this work of art beyond just the music itself. Anything from the Cthulhu and Odin themed artwork, to the Nietzsche influence contained in the liner notes – much of which is rather ‘tongue in cheek,’ certainly testify that there is more than just a party going on here.
We start this bad-ass with a song entitled “Attack With A Gas Mask” from the seminal Cleveland destruction unit known as 9 SHOCKS TERROR. This is a pretty solid opening, which contrasts nicely with a sample from a children’s show at the beginning to foreshadow the anger to come. TURBONEGRO is up next with “The Party Starts Now,” a b-side originally and one of many songs recently compiled on their Small Feces release. It’s a lovely Manitoba’s Wild Kingdom cover and excellent choice.
The legendary RAMONES and Sweden’s own REGULATIONS follow with two-garage rock inspired punk jams, from the originators to the recent wave (literally). Sean then delves into some obscurity with a couple of the selections to follow - starting with RED C’s “Pressure’s On.” A huge and often overlooked song that is showcased on the infamous Flex Your Head hardcore compilation from Dischord records. THE BODIES appear next with “Got Some Product”, which is in the same vein of old school punk perfection but with much more of a melodic rock lean.
We switch gears with the next selection to give the listener a bit of a break as RUMBLE SEAT'S “Walk Through The Darkness” plays like a sombre country intermission. For those not in the know, this group contains members of HOT WATER MUSIC. Just to ensure that you don’t sink too low, we’re right back to bat with “Circles” by DAG NASTY next. A DC punk classic without question that makes a nice transition into “Defeated” by THE OBSERVERS, who released one of the best punk LPs in 2004 called “So What’s Left Now.”
“Click And Repeat” by an act called HIRETSUKAN from Brooklyn (NY) follows. This song is taken from a highly overlooked record that was released on Canada’s own G7 Welcoming Committee. Not quite metal, not quite hardcore but chaotic, aggressive and poetic. Interesting.
We return to some late 70s punk obscurity from ACTIVE DOG with “Fun While It Lasts” originally released as a single back in the day. Members from this act went on to form THE MODERNETTES and POINTED STICKS – which effortlessly proves that this is a lovely selection and a Canadian KBD punk classic. We get into some politics with the next pair of tracks starting with PROPAGANDHI'S “Resisting Tyrannical Government” followed by BILLY BRAGG’S classic “A New England.”
Red Hot Chilli Pepper’s guitarist JOHN FRUSCIANTE is up next with a brilliant slow song entitled “Control” from one of his six solo albums released in between 2004 / 2005. Yes, I did say SIX and I’d wager that they’re all superb. This mellow vibe continues along with “Cadence For The Desert Sun” by Kid Kilowatt, which is certain to appease those with epic tastes.
Sean wakes the listener back up with a kick to the face known as “No 1 Out Of 6 Billion” by Germany’s DEAN DIRG, from their Last Kid On The Block album. In classic Detroit form - NEGATIVE APPROACH show up to the melee with “Nothing” to add insult to injury. Toronto’s own FUCKED UP then pile-drive everything home with “Jacob’s Ladder,” a yet to be released song that will appear on their upcoming Hidden World full length. As the song demonstrates, this album is without question going to be the best punk record released this year.
Next we change focus once again with “Moonshiner” by UNCLE TUPELO from their March 6-20, 1992 album. This song is an excellent mix of traditional mellow country filled with rural inspiration. There could not be more of a blatant contrast when the self-titled track by MINOR THREAT follows. We continue on this path from DC to Chicago with ”Zombie” from SCREECHING WEASEL'S second full length.
Our selector then returns to Washington (or NY) with “Banned In DC” by the legendary BAD BRAINS. There is nothing short of genius contained within this song. The same honour could easily be bestowed for the new school counterparts from Boston to follow known as CUT THE SHIT. Sean picked this track to name this entire compilation after and for very good reason. There is nothing short of fast and furious hardcore-punk that would impress anyone with a thinking mind.
Next up is BLACK FLAG, a band that certainly needs no introduction. From the Wasted Again album we’re offered “Gimmie Gimmie Gimmie” – which is unfortunately Rollins era, but you’ve still got to give credit where it’s due. “Goodbye” by REVOLUTION MOTHER from the “Enjoy The Ride” album follows to signify that the end is near. This outfit features the notorious Mike Vallely a professional skateboarder who also handles the occasional vocal duties. I’ve honestly never heard his other band(s), but this is heavily stoner rock influenced. Not awesome, but not bad…certainly larger-than-life though.
This ambitious opus ends with the triumphantly ridiculous “Freebird” by LYNYRD SKYNYRD - completely un-credited no less, meant to shock or surprise the listener I’d imagine. To say the least it’s a pretty bold, mildly absurd, and strangely righteous move. What’s even better is that it cuts off during the epic solo. Could that be a statement?
I am very impressed with this contribution and can’t wait to see what I’ll receive this coming year.
Track Listing:
01 Nine Shocks Terror – Attack With A Gas Mask
02 Turbonegro – The Party Starts Now
03 The Ramones – I Don’t Want To Go Down To The Basement
04 Regulations – Protect And Serve
05 Red C – Pressure’s On
06 The Bodies – Got Some Product
07 Rumble Seat – Walk Through The Darkness
08 Dag Nasty – Circles
09 The Observers – Defeated
10 Hiretsukan – Click And Repeat
11 Active Dog – Fun While It Lasts
12 Propagandhi – Resisting Tyrannical Government
13 Billy Bragg – A New England
14 John Frusciante – Control
15 Kid Kilowatt – Cadence For The Desert Sun
16 Dean Dirg – No 1 Out Of 6 Billion
17 Negative Approach – Nothing
18 Fucked Up – Jacob’s Ladder
19 Uncle Tupelo – Moonshiner
20 Minor Threat – Minor Threat
21 Screeching Weasel – Zombie
22 Bad Brains – Banned In DC
23 Cut The Shit – The Party’s Over
24 Black Flag – Gimmie Gimmie Gimmie
25 Revolution Mother – Goodbye
26 Lynyrd Skynyrd – Freebird (HIDDEN SONG)
