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Non-Prog CD Reviews

The Adolescents

Russian Spider Dump

Review by Gary Hill

This is a new album from this vintage band. Part of the 1980s hardcore movement, Adolescents broke up for a while before getting back together in 2001. This album is a killer punk set with a lot of great tunes. While there aren't many huge departures, it never feels tired or redundant. It probably goes without saying given the song titles (and the fact that they are edited on the internet version) and this being a hardcore punk band, but a lot of this earns parental advisories for the lyrics.

This review is available in book (paperback and hardcover) form in Music Street Journal: 2021  Volume 1. More information and purchase links can be found at: garyhillauthor.com/Music-Street-Journal-2021.

Track by Track Review
F**k You
Bass brings this in. The cut fires out into killer punk rock. It's fast paced and angry, just like punk should be. This is very much old-school punk.
Lion's Share
This might be even meaner than the opener was. It's definitely screaming hot.
Just Say Yes
I love the bass line on this. The cut has more of a garage rock psychedelic feeling to it. It's catchy and a lot of fun.
Class War
Angry old school punk, this almost feels like what you might get if you merged The Dead Boys with the punkiest of Guns N' Roses.
Crayon World
Classic hardcore punk sounds drive this screamer.
Dirty Bomb
Even angrier, this is screaming hot.
Pink Piece of Peace
I like the way the vocals are spit out on this screaming hot tune. Don't miss that frantic bass playing when you listen to this one, either. This is super high energy punk. There is even a weird, almost proggy break.
Fast, F***ed & Furious
Energy and drive really make up the concept here. Then again, you can say that of most of the rest of the set. Still, it never feels tired or redundant.
God Bless America
This actually starts off with a bit of the song that shares its title. From there they scream out into a punk stomper.
Home is Where
The guitar sound on this is meaty and mean. The track is another driving hardcore punk rocker.
I Like Drugs
This makes me think of The Ramones in a lot of ways, but perhaps with a bit of Dead Boys edge. Mind you, I'm talking about the early Ramones, not when they became more of a old-time rock and roll band. This is catchy and fun.
I Got a Line on You
Here we get a cover of the Spirit classic. This punked up version reminds me a just a little of Alice Cooper's version. Still, this is a bit edgier than that. It's a great tune no matter who does it, and this version definitely does it justice. I love the guitar solo and the snarled vocals.
Not Going Back Home
Angry and meaty, this is more killer punk.
Not with You
Another mean stomper, this powerhouse works well.
Back Door
This hardcore number is literally screaming hot. It has some particularly meaty riffing.
 
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