Tuesday 15 April 2014

Wasted Years - OFF!

LA's latest hardcore punk supergroup is back, with another 16 tracks of energetic and bouncy, thrashy fun. Taking a similar musical vein to their previous works this is simple, quick, and compelling explosions of sound and fury. Nothing goes beyond the two minute fifteen mark so this is pared down, go for it music that grabs and idea by the throat and holds onto it just long enough to get the job done. The musical approach is complimented by the lyrics, with Keith Morris yelling about the surveillance state, the abuse of power for personal gain, the dangers of willful submission to ignorance, and everything else that has pissed him off recently (which appears to be a lot of things).

If you are after something delicate, complicated, or radio friendly then this is not for you. Not that is takes itself too seriously, just that it doesn't hang around for anyone or anything. At the same time if you are after something old-school and derivative it's also not going to be your cup of team as, whilst the pedigree of the band may be from the 80s scene the sound is band up to date, just without the current cliches of breakdowns or sing-along in every track. Best listened to as a whole work rather than individual tracks it's both exhausting and exhilarating, having the feel of a live performance and an intimacy that is is rarely replicated.

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