Labels: Snuffy Smile
Review by: Andy Malcolm
I must own more Snuffy Smile records than any other label. It’s insane. How comes practically every record they put out is just so great? And how many songs do the Urchin have? By my count, that’s an album and 3 7″ already. Not that I am complaining.
First reason to love the Urchin: they love beer. Go read the interview on Japan Punk Project. 2nd reason, lyrics like this: “watching t.v. with fags (that’s cigarettes to you americans), i’m picking my nose as someone stole my brain”. 3rd reason – the fucking riffing on “Chairman of the Discount Liquor Store”. BLOWS MY BRAINS OUT. This is just so awesome! The song is upbeat, free wheeling, catchy, melodic, danceable, bassy, and just an awesome slice of punk rock for today. Comparable to Dillinger Four gone a little more emo rock. For real. Here’s another lyric: “If it’s true that everyone hates war, then why doesn’t everyone hate the nations we belong [to]?”. Yo. Their second track, “Blind Shell Attack”, has just a great intro, before firing into more bouncy punk rock with a fantastic harmonised chorus. And their drummer is still called Big Champion. You gotta love this band.
Side B gives us the ‘Tone. How many times can you say: “everyone loves the ‘Tone” without getting repetetive? I guess, if the Urchin are playing todays punk rock, the Tone are playing yesterdays. Try finding a review that not only doesn’t say: “everyone loves the ‘Tone”, but also fails to mention the Clash. You won’t succeed, it’s not possible. The first song “Over & Out” is pretty upbeat and melodic punk, and they follow it up with old style ska-ish punk on “Lost Generation” with a cool chorus. No, this is not skapunk like Less than Jake. Don’t even go there. Cool fast-paced vocals on the verse too. It’s too good! And everyone still loves the ‘Tone.
Buy this already.