The Meteors

40 Days A Rotting

(Mutant Rock)

P. Paul's netherworldly fixation is but garish accoutrement laid atop compositions so textured and layered as to be sophisticated, but at once much too grim for mainstream sensibilities. Prolific with songcraft pen, he devastates with six strings of doom. Surly phrasing befits murk.

Recommended: "The Blood Red Sea," "Road Burn," "Blood Moon," "40 Days A Rotting," "Murder Party," "Seven Skulls," "The Rage (Never Just For Fun," "Dead Man's Hand," "In the Land Of a Spider God"

Video: "40 Days A Rotting"

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Djordje

"The Way I Am"   single

(Ceklin)

The personnel involved recommend Djordje Stijepovic's latest: Joining him are Paul Pigat, Dusty Grave, Aleksander Petrovic, and Rene de la muerte. Those desiring further data are advised that in an economical two-and-a-half minutes, classic Rock'n'Roll changes, beach-cruising Pop harmonies, and chordy thrashings straight out of sneering Punkdom forge fun fun fun.

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The Unknowns

East Coast Low

(Drunken Sailor)

Australia's Bargain Bin label released this hurtling LP for its domestic market in 2023. Mere days prior to this writing, Drunken Sailor reissued it for global appreciation. The wax is swelled nearly  to bursting with distorted guitar pyrotechnics, "Whoa woah!" choruses that compel raucous sing-a-longs, and street-race propulsion no statute could restrain. As is always favored, songs open/make their points/and conclude in compact spans.

Recommended: "Shot Down," "Dianne," "Rid Of You," "Crying," "Beat Me," "Thinking About You," "Know It All," "I Don't Know," "Deleted," "Supersonic Love"

Video: "Crying"

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CUIR

Album Album   LP and digital release

(Offside Records)

Scant online information can be located for this trenchant French Synthpunk. One rare source asserts it is the conceit of an erstwhile member of various hardcore outfits. That mystery to the side, one is struck by dominance of burly guitar in material notable for fleet vehemence. Any language impediment is as nothing, given the bellicosity projected.

Recommended: "Gast," "Phoenix," "Les nerfs à vif," "Bloqué," "La force de continuer," "Un air de Mexico," "Toujours pareil," "On verra bien"

Video: "Gast"

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Evil Conduct

10 Tracks...No Bullshit

(Randale Records)

When this erupts into thunderous actuality, guitars swung in rumbustious offensive and drums smashed to smithereens, no battleship chains could restrain it. We are beset by an exultant rallying cry whose brutal magnetism compels every disconnected misfit to pull on combat boots, stab air with knuckly fist, and stomp in the shaved-head parade.

Recommended: "Boots On Our Feet," "Lost Time," "Stand Accused," "Hey Ho!," "Nothing But Lies," "City Life," "Because Of You," "Cost Of Living," "Older Than Dirt," "Stick To Your Guns," "1969" (bonus track), "You're Wondering Now" (bonus track)

Video: "Boots On Our Feet"

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The Lazy Tones

Laundry Sessions   EP

(El Toro)

Honest music is one reason it's good to be breathing. From deep within these grooves springs finger-popping, tilted brim-sporting style of the sort once cultivated by Leonard and Phil Chess. Direct production focuses attention on Blues magic wrought by four cats on fire with the boldness that tore Chicago joints wide open in post-WWII years. 

Recommended: "Lend Me a Train Fare," "Look-a-Here," "Natural Born Lover," "Sloppy Drunk," "Baby Please Don't Go"

Video: "Lend Me a Train Fare"

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Boom! Boom! Deluxe

"Leopard Print"   digital track

(Self-issued)

For 3:57, New Zealand's Boom! Boom! Deluxe envelops listeners with teasingly languid and jazzy ambiance, from within which passions curl inviting fingers. Sultry Henrieta "Hettie LaBombe" Tornyai purrs in delicious symbiosis, her breathiness effectively redoubling steam heat.

Interviewed by NZ Musician, she daubed a fetching portrait:

"Inspired by 1950s instrumentals like 'The Stripper' by David Rose, I pictured a seedy nightclub full of smoke with a burlesque dancer stripping to the sound of a sleazy saxophone. I wanted something that would swing but still be at a driving, danceable tempo. 

"It began with a riff based around a D Blues scale written on the double bass, which is my main instrument. Right from the start I knew I wanted a baritone sax as the main feature. It really evokes the '50s and '60s, and I love that grunty sound!"

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