Labels: Houseplant Records
Review by: Andy Malcolm
I had rather drifted away from Pink Razors since their excellent demo from way back when, becoming less enthralled with bands that sounded like Dillinger Four the more and more such bands became prevalent (even dominant), in the melodic punk world. This LP seems to step away from that whole sound, and how. The addition of Erin Tobey has given the band a whole new lease of life. It’s still revved up, with stomping melodies and whatnot, but it seems to have taken on a certain freedom, a joyful wildness, one that I’d more associate with Cap’n Jazz. Now I am sure most people who’d listen to this would probably question that, “What the fuck Andy? It is nothing like Cap’n Jazz”. I would postulate that those people don’t really ‘get’ Cap’n Jazz. They are probably in a band that sounds like American Football. HAHA! Just kidding guys in bands that sound like American Football, I love you really. Anyways, getting back to Leave Alive, this LP spins on 45RPM and that seems to make everything even faster. It’s all freewheeling fun, but beautifully glued together and varied. For example, on Geometric Park they take things firmly into the indie rock arena, reminding me rather of Painted Thin on this one. Look, there isn’t too much more to add here. I really like this LP, it doesn’t sound like Dillinger 4 (apart from the familiar bass on the rollocking “Too Obvious”), it sounds like a pop punk band that loves making music together and they want to share that with you. You should let them. Fine album.