Page 27 - The Noise September 2016

MUSIC REVIEWS
by beVerley nAPAlM
GIRLSCHOOL
“nightmare at Maple cross” and “Take A bite” reissues
(Cherry red)
Girlschool were born out of the new wave of British Heavy Metal movement of the late ‘70s. (Yes, that really existed and is still a referred-to genre!) Their style initially was rough punk edged metal, and despite the perceived handicap at the time of being an all female band in a male dominated market, Girlschool were embraced by the UK metal community. This was largely in part due to the patronage of Motorhead, with whom they frequently toured. These two long out-of-print CD reis- suesdatefromthemid‘80s,bywhichtimesomeoftheband’srougheredgeshadbeensmoothedout.Therewereafewline- up changes, and after flagging chart success in Europe, the band had their eye on catering to the US market. (Because that’s where the money is, right?) The punk edge that enamored the band to the UK critics was replaced by a glossy glam vibe. Both LPs at the time were certainly a move forward artistically for the band, but struggled to find the audience they deserved. That said, if you can sidestep the truly shockingly awful LP art, these are both great tough sounding and enjoyable releases. Much of the production is dated. Many ‘80s reissues I often find the production values grating, but on these two CDs however, I’m embracing and digging it. Particularly the over-the-top classic
hard rock gated drum sound. The playing is just great. The guitar,
as you would expect from a metal band, is fluid and technically
can’t be faulted. The vocals work best when presented en masse gang style. There are a few less convincing covers included in the set (“Tiger Feet” by Mud kind of ruins the flow for me a little), but overall there is plenty of metal pop crossover po- tential, and it’s tight and together. It’s great music to turn up loud in your car, windows down with a few friends, cruising through town on the way to the liquor store.
JJ DOLL
5 song 7-inch eP
(Katorga Sounds)
Oh this is great. From New Yuck City JJ Doll’s debut 7inch ticks all the right boxes. Female fronted punk, bristling and skuzzy, it’s pure frenetic energy with classy and timeless NYC sounding lead guitar licks. “She’s Onto You” is tops, all yelping vocals and tough guitars. After a bit of digging around on the internet, I haven’t been able to figure out much info on the band. But make no mistake, plenty of punks are sitting up and taking notice of this one! There are many inventive takes on a tried and tested hardcore punk-pop formula bursting out of these 5 solid gold bangers. Get in on the ground floor before it’s too late ya punk! You can check it out at katorgaworks.bandcamp.com/album/s-t-7-8
THE RED KRAYOLA WITH ART AND LANGUAGE
“baby and child care”
(Drag City Records)
The red Krayola has enjoyed a genuinely critically acclaimed and glittering under-the-radar career since their startling 1967 debut LP, The Parable of Arable Land. Even more remarkable is the fact they are still making music 50 years after their conception. This LP however dates from 1984, and is amazing to me that it has taken 32 years to see the light of day, such is the richness and vibrancy packed within these grooves! Art and Language were (are?) an avant-garde theorist ensemble, and despite both groups predilection toward offering the regular consumer a challenging listen, the combination of both bands together presents a very palatable off-kilter pop/jazz flavor. I am not completely sure where to place it musically, and that is always a good sign! The 10 tracks are driven by a super funky bass, with herky-jerky loose jazz and funk rhythms, and plenty of incidental background textural tones, horns and synths to keep you on your toes. The lyrical inspiration for this concept LP was taken from Dr. Spock’s beloved child psychology book The Common Sense Book of Baby and Child Care. It’s a unique concept for sure, with dazzling songs titles such as “The Tone of Your Voice; Be Firm, Don’t Shout” and “Parents Get Cross.” And when you actually concentrate on the lyrics, picking your way carefully through the weaving post punk-funk back- drop, you realize how bonkers Mayo Thompson’s vocals actually are. LP highlight for me is the essential “Why We Need Ideal- istic Children,” with its irresistible melodic battle between twiddly guitar and annoying synth tones, over a tight funk groove. Given the quality of this release, and the fact someone somewhere has sat on these tapes for so long, I am wondering what other master tapes The Red Krayola have squirreled away under their bed ... God bless ‘em. And all that sail with them ...
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