Enziguri – “Bronx Zoo EP 2020”
I love New York.
I know I had a t-shirt once, that said that.
Unless you’re an avid sports fan and someone not too bright, I would hope you don’t hate the people of New York even if you dislike their sports teams.
I love the people of New York. I’ve visited there frequently. I’ve always found them more friendly, less racist then some of the folks I’ve known back in Boston.
I’ve also spent my honeymoon there, and I was married (not anymore) September 29, 2011. And though it was a joyous time for me, I shared a tragic time with them and feel honored to have done so. And because of this I feel a bond with the New Yorker’s.
A lot of my favorite bands are from this city- The Velvet Underground, Richard Hell & The Voidoids, Suicide, New York Dolls, Patti Smith, The Dictators, The Bush Tetras, The Contortions- but it would take up far too much space if I was to list every band I’ve loved from this city. (Ever hear of The Ramones?)
In the early eighties, the first time Andy Bang and I took a drive to Manhattan to see punk music, we happened to go through The Bronx on the way.
I’m a city boy and I don’t know what part we passed through, but I remember looking out the side window of the car and being concerned. I mean, very scared.
But as Lou Reed sang, “New York city’s the place where they say…
Oh, and I remember once walking down a street in Manhattan during the day and a car went zipping by blaring “Sweet Jane.”
And that just really made my day.
But let’s check out this hardcore/punk current Bronx band that, as Clint Eastwood sorta said, “Is making my day.”
They’re a hardcore band but mix in a lot of traditional punk and metal in the music and switch off and on the abrasive and the melodic in the vocals. And I dig them muchly, let’s see if you agree:
After some slashing guitar crashing into your ears, the fastest song on this new release, “Rat Race” zooms out at you like a rocket going off into outer space. This song encapsulates all the best in the music genres we cover- namely, punk, hardcore and metal and contains a weird but subtle time signature in the mix. “Figure it out, don’t let them down…without a doubt, reppin’ uptown…build a bridge, don’t build a wall. Eat the rich, ’cause empires fall. Corruption will consume us all.” This song sets a high precedent of what is to follow.
Starting with a one hit to beat rhythm, switching up to an energetic punk groove, “Pigeon On A Wire” rips out like a race car on fire sailing over a cliff into oblivion. “For what seems like an eternity. I’ve known what’s waiting for me. My soul’s at peace with the thought that we don’t go on.” This song has great melodic vocals with loud, shouting backup vocals, as well. Plus, lots of twists and turns along the way of this pulsing, pulverizing, potent tune. “Nothing can stop me. You can’t bring me down. I’m in the corner, waiting for the next round.” Some rap like breakdown also adorns this awesome tune.
“Vultures” begins sounding like a sanding machine being recorded followed by a dissonant, guitar lick suggesting danger and menace or just maybe, that a sixties spy flick is about to happen. Soon enough though we’re off on a oderate, hardcore trot. This is a unique, creative hardcore punk song that uses early hip hop scratching and even tosses a metal headbanging part into this excellent song.
“Bear Grillz” moves along with a modified Latin/Bo Didley beat and lyrics such as, “As we stand defiant, never be compliant. Celebrate out triumphs, different and united, maybe you should try it.” This is all against an antagonist who doesn’t understand the value of working with each other instead of against. The rhythm alternates between a hard driving beat and a more intricate one while the guitars chugs mightily along, metal like and the vocals spit venom, intensely. Another great tune.
This release is like a four car crash collision but, instead of one with blood and fatalities and screaming police cars and fire engines, EMT’s- We have a musical collision that is both energetic and destructive, creative and constructive at the same time.
Enziguri’s music is rebellious and rocking with words that are righteous and real.
And I may not want to pay a visit to the Bronx zoo anytime soon, but I’ll always look forward to taking my ears on a trip to visit their music again.
But please don’t feed the animals!
(Slimedog)
