RASPBERRY BULBS - LIVE AT 285 KENT

Raspberry Bulbs, the Ildjarn-esque side project of He Who Crushes Teeth (drummer for Bone Awl) plays head bobbing, garagy punk wrapped in a black metal skin. Live, RB's basement four-track aesthetic is served by faithful and discerning players. Among the lineup is Nick Forté of Rorschach and Radio to Saturn. I wasn't present at this show. It was recorded informally by my friend Janusz (thanks). The sound quality is pretty decent. The vocals are a bit quiet compared to their official releases. Regardless, the band sounds great here. Hopefully these guys will record together soon. Until then... Live bursts!

CRAZY SPIRIT - S/T LP

As if you don't already know, Crazy Spirit are the cream of the crop when it comes to punky HC. Imagine Dick Dale imitating Greg Ginn, backed up by Honor Role and fronted by a miniature Blane Fart... but faster. (I know, shut up!) On their recent S/T Lp, gleefully inventive, Spy Vs. Spy guitar riffs dangle from pepped up punk drums and winding bass like spittle off a small dog's tongue. Congested, ghoulish vocals toss among this memorable mess like a peanut trapped in a bubble bounce. This music is F. U. N! Not an ounce of your daddy's tough-guy shit from '89. More like what grandma listened to back in '81. CS manage to pull it off in a way that seems totally fresh and all their own. Can't stress enough, I absolutely need everything they put out. You do too! Because... CS = fun! :)

HOAX - 3RD 7"

This western Mass born quartet's most recent effort marks the third release in what's shaping up to be an impressive discography. Following the tenets established on their first two 7s", Hoax serves up four more brutally executed examples of some of the best striped down, mid-paced hardcore five bucks can buy. Relative to their previous releases, you can feel the band settling into themselves here. Infectious riffs, concise, full drums and feral vocal anthems seem to come naturally to these dudes. Topped off with excellent lyrics that don't ask you to forgo adulthood. Seriously one of the best of 2012! Yoga!