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Review: 400 Blows – Sickness and Health

Brandon Geist — Wed, 17 Aug 2011 13:00:03 +0000

On 400 Blows’ fourth and latest full-length bludgeoner, perpetually-sunglassed mic mangler Skot Alexander returns with an all-new lineup that includes Big Business/Crom guitarist Scott Martin and Circle Jerks drummer Kevin Fitzgerald. The bass-less L.A. trio churns out punishing mechanized riffage and maniacal noise-punk beats while Alexander—channeling a younger, less annoying Jello Biafra—delivers a never-ending stream of bad news on crucial cuts like “No Room In Heaven,” “Bad Man’s Blues” and total face-ruler “We Killed Like Champions.” All told, the album doesn’t quite live up to the furious energy of the band’s unhinged live shows, but it comes pretty goddamn close. J. BENNETT

Review: Melvins – Sugar Daddy Live

Brandon Geist — Mon, 30 May 2011 13:00:23 +0000

The 10th(!) live release from these indefatigable sludge expressionists is easily their strongest, fully capturing the tension, triumph, and tinnitus hazards of their current lineup…and often better than their studio recordings. Since debuting their double-drummer lineup in 2006, the band has gotten frighteningly precise on records like 2010’s The Bride Screamed Murder. Both drummers—young buck Coady Willis and mammoth pounder Dale Crover—are more playful onstage, giving a living, breathing, resolutely human anxiety to their clattery. Meanwhile, frontman King Buzzo’s guitar is searingly loud and untethered to studio tricks, more weapon than instrument, making 13 deadly songs even more venomous. CHRISTOPHER R. WEINGARTEN