Classic National CD Reviews

All or Nothing HC
Search for the Strength
On the Rag Records
There should be more females in hardcore. As much as I eat, sleep and breathe the ‘core (and listen to it literally 12 hours a day), it seems like a bunch of sweaty, shirtless dudes in a man-only mosh pit is rather gay. All or Nothing HC’s Renae Bryant is smart, opinionated and a great screamer. I admire her lyrics for making the female perspective more understandable to us stupid males. Particularly in the song “Knife to My Neck,” which is about a brutal sexual assault she endured several years ago. Musically, All or Nothing HC are upbeat yet thrashing, like Uniform Choice or Skins Brains & Guts-era 7 Seconds. The recording on Search for the Strength is fucking raw and sounds live, just as any self-respecting DIY hardcore band would have it. (Issue 169: 01/2003) –Dave Barratt

The Black Keys
The Moan EP
Alive Records
For those people who have still not discovered the bombastic sounds of The Black Keys, I shake my head in disgust. The Keys combine the perfect sounds of deep-South-homegrown-delta blues with 70s Detroit rock n’ roll thunder. Having released two masterpiece albums full of their hybrid blues rock compositions, the Keys decided to release a catchy EP of four songs and two new songs, so to speak. “Heavy Soul” was released on their first album. On this EP, it is a more raw alternate version. “Have Love Will Travel” was on their second disc, but it is presented again, more stripped-down. “The Moan” is a song that had seen the light of day on a split 12” but had been recorded live. On this EP, “The Moan” is the actual recorded studio version, which showcases the tightness between the guitar player and the drummer in their song structures. “No Fun” is a cover of The Stooges, classic, which is amazing to hear as a souped-up blues rock nugget. Having this EP take its place among the two Keys discs is to have the complete music catalog from the band, which is a worthwhile addition to any music lover’s collection. Feast on some down-home cooking at www.totalenergy.com. (Issue 185: 05/2004) –Kevlar7

Bob Log III
School Bus
Fat Possum
Due to the vast beehive network occupied by SLUG headquarters, the name Bob Log has passed through these hallowed pages in the past. He has recorded previous works under the name Doo Rag in partnership with his pots, pans and corrugated-cardboard box percussionist Thermos Malling. Doo Rag actually paid a visit to the capitol city to perform a concert the apathetic residents skipped. Tucson, Arizona is the location from which the maimed delta blues of both Bob Log and Doo Rag emanates. Due to unknown circumstances, the esteemed Bob Log added “III” to his name and ventured forth to Oxford, Mississippi searching for a recording experience in the heart of his influence. A holler, a shout and an exceptionally underdeveloped talent with the electric slide guitar are preserved for the rumored decade-long lifespan represented by the resulting compact disc. Log III is the multi-instrumentalist. Astoundingly enough, he supplied all the drum, guitar and vocal portions and composed the pieces. In one case he is aided by background vocals from Pancakes. In trying times such as these, Bob Log III uses a yellow short-bus metaphor while attempting information dissemination by expressing unpopular views, “I Want Your Shit On My Leg,” for example. He states the obvious results in the venomous anti-war anthem, “All Rockets Go Boom.” “Duck Back Down” furthers the message as a “Big Ass Hard On” follows, instead of preceding “Fire In the Hole.” Lacking a powerful voice, our friend Bob Log III uses the common megaphone method. This is not “come out of the house with your hands up.” This is information dissemination from the other side of the tracks. Street preaching, grandstanding and gathering the flock to a soapbox, this is the way of Bob Log III. Don’t worry—he won’t visit the capitol city anytime soon. It is impossible to convert the brainwashed using simple recordings. Corporate radio, corporate press and corporate video broadcast have brought the New World Order to pass. After the apocalypse, Bob Log III will receive recognition. (Issue 117: 09/1998) –Jam

Bouncing Souls
Johnny X 7 inch
BYO Records
So, after listening to the previous stack, I found the Bouncing Souls at the bottom. Thinking that some extra energy was required before slapping the vinyl on the turntable, I snorted a gram of West Valley City crank. Gnawing furiously at my lip and smoking five cigarettes in the three minutes both sides of this record lasted, I found the band to be a throwback to the past. They play so fast that moshing is impossible. Stage diving at a Bouncing Souls show would involve changing into a bit-mapped icon and moving way beyond the speed of sound. Place this one in the “good” stack. (Issue 87: 03/1996) –Riley Puckett

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