Music Reviews: The Demerits - "The Demerits" 7"

I've always been a big fan of garage rock. Never made any bones about it. Something about that primal sound that you get from plugging your guitar into a fuzzbox and just winging it that makes the hairs on my arms stand up on end! And one of the best new garage rockers out there is The Demerits, who's new self titled 7" is out now on Mooster Records, is yet another reason to get excited for rock n roll again.

There are only 2 songs on this release, but it's 2 well executed blasts of awesomeness that make it just as exciting as if it were an EP or even a full length. And lets be honest, sometime less is MORE! "Shake It!" is a fun little track very reminiscent of B-52's without the camp. It's a distorted, fuzzed out magnum opus about letting go and well, SHAKIN it! It's a groove fest right out of the gate. Lots of fun. I love it!

 

 

The flip side is "In A Band", a song about writing tunes in the basement, being broke and not having a car...but it's alright, because their in a band! On top of being primal and simple, it's also showing you that material things don't mean squat as long as you're doing what you love doing! And The Demerits love what they do. And I love it too. It's short, simple and to the point. Perfect for everyone. Short enough that if you don't like it, it's over before you know it...and short enough that of you love it, like me, you can put it on repeat and listen to it over and over and over again and let it sink into your soul like good music supposed to do.

4 / 5 stars

Music Reviews: Animal Train - "Sith Vicious" 7"

Animal Train have been around for some time now releasing a quite a few albums, EP's, 7" singles and comp tracks along the way. The bands style is very much in your face and aggressive. It's Austin style punk rock in the highest order. And now AT is back with it's latest release, the "Sith Vicious" 7".

The band is at it again hitting you between the eyes with short, fast blasts of music. They're relentless in their style and sound, but also very proficient in their ability to play and write music. And if you have a short attention spam like myself, this is the best style of music for you. Hit it and quit it...boom boom boom, and out the door! But don't let that hit and run style fool ya. This is a band that CAN play.

"Thin Thread" just jumps right out at you with fierce singing by CJ. She's letting it be known she's nobody's fool, and she'll play the game by her own rules! And fuck you if you don't like it! I LIKE that kinda attitude! The title track is just as powerful, but in a different way. It's more melodic with a sing along style that's very reminiscent of late 70's New York punk. you can hear the influence in the songs. But Animal Train is it's own entity. They're playing the kind of music they love and doing it their own way on their own terms. And isn't that what punk rock is all about?

4 / 5 stars