I Don't Have An Opinion, Let's Be Friends: Reviews Of Recent Releases By Local Bands, Pt. 8

Obligatory Disclaimer: Record reviews are a tricky business. It's one thing to enjoy music, but to, like, pick out what you like about it? That being said, if I review your thing and I didn't like something, don't feel too bad. My opinion doesn't matter all that much.

Cruelster - Potatoe Boys - Phobiact Records - 12 songs - LP, download
Just for clarification in terms of the above info, this is not an original pressing, but I think a German one. So it did come out on other labels as well with some other songs, but I'm going off the copy I have in front of me. As for the music itself, this was really, really good. Even though there is a lyrics sheet (at least with this pressing), I still had trouble hearing the words sometimes (and even the lyrics sheet was unhelpful at times), but other than that I liked it a lot. What do the kids say? Ripping? Do people say ripping? It was ripping! My favorites were "Boys In The Biggest City," "Dead Like Einstein," and "Inchworm," though it was all pretty solid hardcore, kind of like Chargers Street Gang taken to weird extremes. I liked the drawings that accompanied the album on the cover as well. They suited the album pretty well. I probably would have liked it more had I been able to understand what was being said, but other than that-- Cool stuff. 4/5

Ma Holos/The Nico Missile - Ma Holos/The Nico Missile - Quality Time Records - 16 songs (7 Ma Holos, 9 Nico Missile) - Cassette, download
This was pretty cool. Good choices for a split, 'cause they have a similar-ish style, but different. Yes, that seems logical. Ma Holos play fuzzy garage rock that sometimes borders on space-punk. My favorites on their side were "Street Heart" and "Caroline." Their singer's voice somewhat reminds me of Mike Hudson of the Pagans, but less angry, I guess. It also has a song called "Get Off My Cloud," completely unrelated to the Rolling Stones' song of the same name. The Nico Missile had a more garage-pop-punk genre (though equally fuzzy), with lyrics frequently centered on love and romance and all that. On their side of the tape, my favorites were the ultra-low stomp of "Lady Mondegreen," the very catchy "Victim Of Romance," and one with bizarre lyrics, "Designed Youth": 'I don't have an opinion, let's be friends.' That's pretty darn good. Ma Holos: 4/5. The Nico Missile: 4.5/5.

Wetbrain - Acoustic - Start Sucking Records - 6 songs - LP
Charles at My Mind's Eye tell me that this is what they call an "official bootleg." Okay. Though there are only 5 songs listed on the back cover, there happens to be 6. Maybe that's part of the "official bootleg" mystique. Anyway, I was entertained. I suppose this is meant to be a parody of the "unplugged" genre, but I thought it was pretty listenable either way. It's got both the makings of a good live album: competent musicianship and a charismatic frontman. And it does happen to be a good live album: pretty fun and pretty goofy. I think the length of it helped, too. If it had gone on longer, the novelty might have worn thin. As it is, it's darn enjoyable. 4/5

Piccadilly Circus - Till I Get To The Top/Do You Feel It - B-W Records/My Mind's Eye Records - 2 songs - 7"
This is the band's debut, despite the fact that this single was recorded in 1967. "Till I Get To The Top" is good garage pop, and almost psychedelic in places, especially the intro and outro. Side 2, "Do You Feel It," is more uptempo and straightforward, but still a good garage rock tune. During the verses on "Do You Feel It," the singer's voice reminded me of Jim Morrison, but less melancholic and spending less time in the lower range. I'm not going to give this a rating, because it only is a two-song single, but I liked it and would recommend it for anyone who likes "Nuggets" or any kind of obscure '60s garage rock. Cool stuff.

Are you a local-ish band? Do you have a record out? Email vaguelythreatening@gmail.com or send it directly to Observer headquarters: John Kompier, c/o The Lakewood Observer, 14900 Detroit Avenue, Suite 205, Lakewood, OH 44107.