WPW have got their timelines in a twist. This 7″ was actually recorded prior to the recent LP, and it’s easy to tell. Theses songs are a lot more manic and explosive than the lp, more traditionally emo, which for me is a great thing! Especially in the context of a 7″, the kind of format that the flailing energy which these songs exhibit is perfectly suited. We rage out the gates to the exhuberance of the title track, all yelped vocals, quickfire guitar and whatnot. There are calm moments of twinkling for a brief period but all in all this one is relentless. “Backbone Burning”, flooring the accelerator violently initially, before introducing some of the more Minutemen-ish sounds that are apparent on the LP. This track is a bit messier overall with a bunch of ideas that don’t quite mesh. My least favourite of the 4 on offer. The b-side is dynamite though, “When Chess Becomes Draughts” is all about the blurring melodies, and the great yelled “ONE STEPS FORWARD, TWO STEPS BACK!” bits, the sobbing at the end is emo as fuck. We finish off with “Skirtpuller”, which initialises as a mental Mohinder-ish pace, replete with Mohinder’s unusual guitar sound, more bands should pinch it. Then it flies off into this utterly awesome melodic part with dual vocals and I can’t fail to be wow-ed.
If the idea of a band mixing up Cap’n Jazz, Mohinder and Assfactor 4 appeals to you, then this 7″ is the one you have been looking for. Go forth and acquire!