Marko and the Bruisers – “M.A.T.B.”
There’s so many grand “fucked up” albums that are some of my favorite albums of all times.
And it’s not because the people who recorded these albums were fucked up at the time, inebriated in some fashion, but at the same time, I’m guessing, they probably were.
But what’s great about these recordings is they give off a vibe of “I don’t give a fuck, I’m having a good time. Here, it’s me! I’m not trying to impress you or fit into your preconceptions of what you’re expecting. Here I am, warts and all.”
I’m thinking “Exile On Main Street,” by the Stones. “Berlin,” by Lou Reed. “Zuma,” by Neil Young, “Raindogs,” by Tom Waits.
Many others, but this casual, let the mistakes, let the faults bleed in- usually produces a more human, more expressive, more compelling, more reflective piece of art.
I guess, that would mean it’s more punk to me, all I know is, that it sounds better.
Let’s check this out:
This could be you is “All I’m Sayin.” “Yeah, it could be you, it could be you.” This song is lo-fi and somewhat recalls Dinosaur Jr. at their most passionate. Maybe Bikini Kill, as well- or maybe, an early bootleg from Iggy & The Stooges. This recording is loose, not polished, with the drums almost always ahead or playing “catch up.” But the purity of emotion, the immense desire and energy that erupts in every moment of this song is overwhelming. At one point the vocals escalate into hysteria while the bass doodles away in majestic display and the excitement level reaches a level that passes any reasonable expectations. Amazing tune.
“Pity Whores” is about one of my favorite bands that we ever wrote about, and though I’m proud of the interview I did with Mike McClogan of Street Dogs, I know the one I did with this band will never be exceeded. This is an acoustic/country/punk take about the last time they played with this now defunct band and it sounds a lot like a Lenny Lashley or The Old Edison tune which is high praise, indeed. The lyrics are poignant and reflective while the music conjures up the sounds of an old, lonesome train sounding off in the distance. “I miss the Pity Whores.” So do I, but songs as great as this make up for it a bit, bringing a smile to my face and a tear to my eye.
“Wanna Go Out,” (featuring Jimmy West Jr.) starts out with a fifties guitar that recalls one of my favorite songs, “Love Is Strange” by Mickey & Sylvia. There’s a Latin beat that soon transforms into a chuggin’, ska-like, reggae beat- “I wanna go out, I wanna get drunk. I wanna see a bunch of people, wanna have some fun.” But soon it charges into a wild, punk tune while a guitar careens into the sound setting the energy and excitement into high gear. This song suggests to me a carload of people, high and drunk, out of their minds entering into a night full of danger and desire. As the car shoots sparks off the guardrail on the highway, the vocals express, simultaneously, panic and ecstasy just before the car veers off the road, overturning in flames…then, of course, as you would expect- an eloquent, classical piano passage plays.
“Never Change,” has lyrics about how much punk rock means to him- “And I’ll never change, no matter how life gets me down. I know music will always be around.” This is a waltz, almost like an acoustic punk song, almost like an Irish punk song. But definitely a heartfelt, expressive great tune. “When one song ends, another begins.” True, but not usually as great as this.
“Let’s Go” starts with, “I think it’s so far out, that you still want me. After all of these things I put you through, everything. All of my drunken nights, all of those stupid fights.” This song charges forth where the overblown, distorted guitars overshadow the rhythm section but the emotion, the truth shouts louder than any instrument or sound system could ever generate. “Let’s go, never leaving your side, not until I die.” This is a song of passionate, propulsive purpose that strikes hard and perfect and true.
“So Far Away” starts slowly with echo-y chords and muted cymbal crashes before it explodes into a hardcore tantrum with lyrics similar to the previous song. “So let’s go, we’ll take it slow, we’ll cross the country, cross the world, just you and me, then we can see, anything you wanna be- so let’s go, so far away.” A terrific, echo-ey guitar solo plays across our ears as this couple escapes into Nirvana or Paradise- while we’re just left with another perfect song from a flawless album. One of the best I’ve ever reviewed!
Some people think that punk means studded, leather jackets and songs that just rip off The Ramones.
I realize that punk means a lot of things to a lot of different people- It’s a fashion, a music style, it’s an attitude, it’s a philosophy.
The later, is what I choose and if that’s too fancy a word- let’s call it “a way of life” or maybe a lifestyle.
Punk is what I write about, I like the music. But the essence, the spirit it reflects- hits me in my soul like an oncoming locomotive, it’s my being, my belief.
I guess you can argue that this release doesn’t sound that punk to you. You can site comparisons, map it all out, show me where I’ve gone wrong.
But the music here hits me like an oncoming locomotive splattering my expectations, destroying my parameters and blowing up any preconceptions I had to smithereens. And you can’t argue with me about that.
After the bloodshed and debris is cleared away, I’m left with some great music. Something too wonderful for me, not to call it punk. Something that speaks to me deep inside my soul that makes me cry while listening to it, in recognition and amazement.
And I like to think I have imagination.
But I can’t imagine anything better than that.
Or better than this.
(Slimedog)
