Goolagoon – “Split with ACxDC”
Goolagoon is the band that first introduced me to the term and genre known as “power violence.”
And because of this I will always seek a vow of vengeance towards them, which will be as surprising, as it is bloodily gruesome and final.
Actually, I really like the style and I really like their music. (Still want to stick with that bloodily gruesome bit ’cause it sounds way cool.)
So any possible demise of them, say by power saws, chains saws, fork lifts in the near future is totally unrelated to me.
At least, this is what I encourage you to explain to the police, that is, if by the off chance you’re called in for questioning. And that is- if you truly respect your own safety.
But all this talk of death and dismemberment has made me hungry for the real thing, the equivalent attack that this music rains upon our nervous systems and senses. So let’s now open our ears, our minds, our hearts- for whatever atrocities and mayhem may fall upon them:
“Home Sweet Pineapple” starts with a sample bite from SpongeBob, which is not uncommon at the start of their songs. Once the music crashes in- instead of their usual, disgraceful hardcore violent punk, we’re treated with some nice soft shore, peaceful surf music just a bit revved up. And instead of scurrying off like a fleeing rat- the song continues in a groovin’, rockin’, surfin’ beat that conjures up films of Pamela Anderson running slow motion on the beaches of “Baywatch,” in my mind. And while that happens a pretty, nifty surf instrumental floats through your mind with loud guitars signaling a subtle, sinister intent. Great song and a great companion song of “Sweet Home Alabama.”
“Doing Time” is a bit more of what I expect from this band, meaning- a wild, hurricane of sound and words that rip apart every bit of your aural scenery, then tosses into the air with careless abandonment. “Born into regression, witnessing demise…ignored human decency, greed prioritized…pre-decide my worthless life, doing fucking time…no future.” Now, these lyrics couldn’t be about our present Utopian times, but about some imagined future. Where decaying, old fuck politicians are screwing over the young and their future. But I do recall an old band using the term “No future,” as well, and perhaps it does pertain to today. This song moves to a moderate, rockin’ part before accelerating into double time while finally landing on a great, doom part with screaming, anguished vocals. This song is intense, powerful and real.
“Idiot Box” is another explosion of abrasive sound and hardcore vocals that, occasionally, move into a higher pitched black metal sound. “Nazi mindset tis of thee, fucked up sick society, sociopathic leadership to death.” Again, nothing that relates to present times but musically, this song moves to a slower part with an odd, off time rhythm that is cool and grooving with an elongated scream. Another great one.
“The Bully” starts with another SpongeBob sound bite then the strong vocals are supported by a punk rockin’ beat instead of the usual blistering, fast hardcore. “Stepping right into your roles…line your mind with what you’re told. Stay stuck, stand in line.” Soon the rhytmic barriers are broken through leading on towards a music riot. Some gruff, death vocals answer the main ones as the roof of the song is detonated and flies off it’s bearings. And like the roof that is blown away, I’m amazed what can be accomplished in just forty-seven seconds. “Shed assigned identity. Just be you, let me be me. Boy stuff, girl stuff, don’t mean shit. I don’t need it.” Musically, this is my favorite song on the EP- but lyrically, it reflects so much of me. I reject what society tells me to be as a straight man and unequivocally, reject it’s constraints and finally give myself the acceptance to be me.
“Book Attack” (Scholastic Deth) is a total aural, verbal, all forces attack with blazing rhythms, hydrogen bomb music and vocals that sting like a taser. The main vocals are also answered by some death ones- reminding me of another great, local band Neighborhood Shit. Halfway through the song a melodic lick worthy of the best “New Wave” ascends then changes quickly into a metal one. But then the song is finished with an ecstatic, car crash of rhythm and noise in complete perfection.
This EP has the energy and anger and social commentary of punk, mixed with the velocity and aggression of hardcore, delivered in the stylistic realm of the power and intensity of metal. And, not only is this no easy feat, this is accomplished at the very best in each category, in each style of music.
I guess I could say some more jokes here, that you may or may not laugh at, or instead, like with what I’m doing socially- I could tell you how I really feel.
This is the best of the cutting edge music that I write about. I love the punk music I write about that captures the spirit and fun of the past but this is music looking more into the future. (Even though they may, understandably, think there’s “No Future,” now.)
It’s early in the year, but I remember last year receiving something at this time, that I was thinking along the same lines, that proved to end up in my choice of best of the year.
There’s a lot more days in this year, lots more music coming. Lots more reviews of some great music, but I can tell you right now that this will be a contender of the best at the end.
You can bet on it. Stick your neck out, just a bit.
I just did.
(Slimedog)
