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	LUNGFISH - NECROPHONES - Dischord DIS 119CD I know this is a little old at this point, but I had to not over look this CD. It’s one of the best CD's that Dischord has released in a while. Daniel Higgs vocals are exceptional. His lyrics are the best he has done yet. The rest of the band perform to the maximum on this. If you like Lungfish, then this is their best record to date. A must have. B. Jones
	CLAN OF XYMOX - SUBSEQUENT PLEASURES - Metropolis 204 All of this CD was recorded in 1984, when the band first started. This is their first self released LP plus their demos that got them signed to 4 A.D.. It’s nice to here the early stuff because it was so hard to get and if you are familiar with the band to see how they have changed over the years. This is more on the lines of early flowing gothic/industrial stuff. If you like bands like Cocteau Twins, Dead Can Dance, with a dancier beat then you will like this. M. Anders
	PROPAGANDHI - TODAY’S EMPIRES, TOMORROW’S ASHES - FAT WRECKORDS FAT 617-2 This is a hard hitting punk/pop CD. These guys always deliver great music. The first thing I notice about this CD, is that it is produced really good. Inside the liner notes are quotes from leaders such as Stalin, Hitler, and writers like George Orwell and Phil Oches. The CD title is part of a quote by Mumia Abu-Jamal. This is political punk to the max. As they say, "Knowledge is power, arm yourself." B. Bradshaw
	PLEASURE FOREVER - GOODNIGHT - Sub Pop SPCD 564 This is the first release by ex members of VSS. This is definitely dark pop mixed with cabaret. What a strange mix. Reminds me of early Birthday Party or some Nick Cave stuff, but without Nick’s vocals. They do a Germs cover of "Our Way." But I love this guys voice and the interesting rhythms. These guys deserve more recognition. This won’t be played on regular radio, but it is great stuff and deserves a listen. Definitely the most interesting thing I have heard in a while. M. Jagger
	ROTO - THE LOWER POWER HOUR - Resin 015 Roto are David Arbury and Carleton Ingram, but this record features members of Q and Not U, Edie Sedgwick, and Land Speed Record. What a great line up. Parts of this remind me of Gang of Four, strange syncopated drum beats, sparse dissonant guitar and unison singing. But it all comes together somehow, it works beautifully. Very interesting stuff coming out of Washington, D.C. these days. Highly recommended. B. Bradshaw
	FABULOUS DISASTER - PUT OUT OR GET OUT - Pink and Black PNK403-2 The Eyeliners and the Donnas have some tough competition here. These girls put out some garage classics. Songs like "Insane Today", "Rich Bitches In Volvos" and "Spoiled" are great straight forward rock ‘n’ roll. My favorite song on this is "Crush." The Eyeliners and the Donnas need to watch out for a Fabulous disaster, these girls rule!! B. Bradshaw
	EARTH CRISIS - LAST OF THE SANE - Victory VR140 I never thought Led Zeppelin would sound good as a hardcore/metal band of today, but Earth Crisis do a good job of bringing "The Wanton song" up to date. They also cover "Hell Awaits Intro" by Slayer, "City to City" by DYS, "Children Of The Grave" by Black Sabbath, and "Paint It Black" by the Rolling Stones, but they should have left "Holiday In Cambodia" to the Dead Kennedys. They slaughter the song, not in a good way. "Panic Floods" is a good song, but some of the cover songs suck. I like their demos. M. Anders
	AMY RAY - STAG - Daemon DAM 19030 You may remember Amy as one half of the Indigo Girls. This CD also has its cast of stars like, Chris Stamey, Dave Barbe, Danielle Howle, and Joan Jett. This comes across a little more lo-fi than her other band and a little more punchy. She still does some acoustic stuff, but this is a little more electric. "Black Heart Today" and "Laramie" stand out as good pop songs. Overall a good solo release, even though it does have one or two whiny women songs. M. Jagger
	BAD ASTRONAUT - ACROPHOBE - Honest Don’s DON 031-2 Members of the Band Lagwagon venture into the world of power pop. This still has enough punk influence to maybe get radio play, but most good power pop bands almost always gets ignored by the radio. So don’t expect to hear this much on the radio. I tend to like this better than Lagwagon, it was time for a change. They also do a good cover of "500 miles" but nobody does it better than Nick Cave’s version. Great use of keyboards, it’s a nice change. B. Jones
	AQUABATS - MYTHS, LEGENDS AND OTHER AMAZING ADVENTURES VOL. 2 - Fearless F046-2 This CD has something for everyone, all kinds of styles. "Pizza Day" has a great ska feel. "Pool Party" could be the B52’s or Atom and His Package humor and all. "Robot Theme Song" could be Man or Astroman. Quirky vocals with funny lyrics, cheesy organ and ska horns, what a mix. Who can resist songs like "I Fell Asleep On My Arm" and "Worms Make Dirt." B. Bradshaw
	VELVET ACID CHRIST - DIAL 8 - Metropolis MET202 A three song remix CD of the song "Dial 8," originally released on the album "Twisted Thought Generator." I think a 16 minute long CD is hardly worth the effort of releasing but it does include a 5 minute Mpg video of "Decypher" which is worth checking out, but it would have made more sence to put that on the "Decypher" CD. If you like the song "Dial 8" you will like the remixes, track two is a great remix by Da5id Din of Din_Fiv. Track three although named ‘barely alive mix’ is not a live track. Shawn
	BIG IN JAPAN - DESTROY THE NEW ROCK - Honest Don’s DON 032-2 Another pop/ punk band, but this is a little more pop. Big In Japan have more harmonies, and their chord structure is more along the pop lines. "New Dead Boyfriend" has Joe Jackson style vocals. But the real winner on the CD for me was "Everyone’s A Scientist." You can’t come up with a nicer pop song. But this still has enough of the punk to be hard hitting when they need to be. B. Bradshaw
	MADCAP - STAND YOUR GROUND - Side One Dummy SD71225 From the first chords of "Die" to the last chords of "I Hate The Man" is in your face street punk all the way. They don’t let up for a minute. If you like early Rancid or Operation Ivy you will love this. This brings to mind the early aggressive years of punk. Great stuff. B. Jones
	EUPHONE - HASHIN’ IT OUT - Jade Tree JT 1054 This is what I expect from Jade Tree, all of their bands have a nice quirky sound, Euphone joins the ranks. This is a nice mix of jazz, funk, punk, salsa, swing... it runs the gamut. At first listening they brought to mind Portishead or Soul Coughing, but it’s much better on the edge material. The guitarist at time reminds me of Robert Fripp or Fred Frith. The guitarist and drummer really stand out on "Press On," and "Bad Ascending." Nice jazz rock. M. Anders
	THE EASY LIVIN’ - GOOD TIME HEAD-ON COLLISION - Dionysus ID123383 It’s strange that I got this to review because Rusty is a friend of mine but I will try to be unbiased. This band should do very well on the garage/punk circuit. The songs are well written and performed. Takes me back to early days of bands like the M80’s. Good stuff. But it still can’t touch the masters like the Pretty Things, Outsiders, Q65, and Yardbirds. But this is the best thing since those bands are gone. D. Bradshaw
	ELECTRIC FRANKENSTEIN - ANNIE’S GRAVE - Victory VR 146 Electric Frankenstein deliver the goods when it comes to good old rock ‘n’ roll. This CD is a little heavier and it’s nice to see Steve Miller still on vocals. But they still maintain that lo-fi sound like earlier bands like The Misfits and The Dead Boys, while expanding on that sound with new recording techniques. They’re back stronger than ever. M. Anders
	RED HOUSE PAINTERS - OLD RAMON - Sub Pop SPCD 565 A new album from these guys, it’s been a long time since they put anything out. This is still the flowing songs like their old 4A.D. stuff, but with a more acoustic edge. The singing is just like the older Lp’s but the music is more updated. "Wop-A-Din-Din" has a very nice 12 string guitar melody in it. I saw this band years ago, but now I am looking forward to seeing them again with the new sound. M. Jagger
	ANTIFREEZE - FOUR LETTER WORDS - Kung Fu 78784-2 Joe Escalante seems to be signing really strong bands to his label. Antifreeze are more rock ‘n’ roll than punk though. Songs like, "Is He Your Boyfriend" are nice power pop tunes. "Fortune’s Fool" renews my faith in power ballads, I have never liked them before now. There is still enough of the raw edge and pop/punk influence to appeal to the crowds of bands like The Ataris, A New Found Glory, but still hold their own. D. Washburn
	LADYTRON - 604 - Emperor Norton - EMN7037-2 I like the old mini moogs and analoge synths from the 70’s. This CD combines all of that and the feel of the Cardigans or Garbage to come up with something totally different. The more I listen to this it seems to grow on me. I also like the way they mix in backwards tapes and loops, radio static, and samples to enhance the music in the background. It seems more and more bands are using the old moog sound now. Maybe it’s coming back, unfortunately so are bell bottoms. M. Jagger
	FRENZAL RHOMB - SHUT YOUR MOUTH - Fat Wreck Chords FAT 621-2 At first listening I thought this was Australia’s answer to the Queers or Nofx. But they seem to stand on their own. The songs are very strong pop/punk with great melodies and catchy hooks. "Had Enough" is a wonderful power pop song. The dynamics on "The Best Guy" really makes it stand out. This is my pick for best pop/punk CD in a while. M. Jagger

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