Chemical Valley Mutants

Poisoned

(Self-issued)

Michigan is burning. Again.

Back in the day, the state incubated the MC5 and Iggy and the Stooges. It boasted a vital scene composed of young, angry musicians fired by a yearning to voice the angst that churned within. Their works helped recharge a Rock'n'Roll in danger of obsolescence.

Today, the Great Lakes State is stomping ground to virulent Punk upstarts who, like those predeccessors, have come up from the streets with but one desire: to carve their own defiantly individual imprints on the face of popular culture.

The Chemical Valley Mutants are of that DIY scene. Songs collected on their newest disc rage against worldly injustices via fierce assault on polite-society notions of musicality. 

The pacing is alacritous and the effect one of battery. But -- and herein lies the truest value -- tracks are permeated by a sincerity that makes for greater worth than mere chords. Though those buzzsaw chords are flung in neck-wrenching manner.

(And too much cannot be said of the generally brutish onrush. It is a conquering mayonnaise tidal wave that leaves only happy casualties in its wake.) 

The present writer, an Iowan, doesn't know if Michigan's Punk scene hosts many venues or recording opportunities. As has always been the case with Rock'n'Roll instigators, it may be a bootstraps situation. If so, watching it self-actualize will be rewarding.

Whatever the case, Chemical Valley Mutants constitute a  pugnacious part of it. Long may they thrash.

Recommended: "Charles Bronson," "Left Hand Path," "Didn't Feel a Thing," "F.Y.P.," "Vigilante," "Failed To Mention," "Anarchy Equality," "No Brains," "Speedy Q," "Poisoned"

Video: "Port Huron Whore" (live)

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