Brown Sugar - Brown Sugar Sings of Birds and Racism

This LP seriously rules. The more I listen to it the more I pick up on things I missed in previous spinnings. The time signatures and song structures are totally nuts at times. The whole thing is crazy and chaotic and the vocals are sometimes reminiscent of Darby Crash with lyrics composed of witty and confusing prose. I love the usage of saxophone in "Black and White", Total Fucking Garbage" and "Somali Pirate". Also don't be put off by that statement because the sax is tasteful, you should still download this even if you hate Tim Capello. The album starts off with "Funk Land" which is true to title when it breaks out into a jazz freak out halfway through. Two contemporary bands have done this on an LP in 2011 so far, Outlook and Brown Sugar, so sick. "Total Fucking Garbage" is one of my favorite tracks. The vocals are totally menacing and the whole track is just crushing. "Blow" is probably my favorite song on the release. It's actually just a really slowed down re-recorded version of the 7" track. "Birds" has really cool lyrics and some pretty awesome drum breaks. I can't imagine how much time went into putting together this record, it is really something else. When I really sit down and listen to it, it almost seems too good to be real.







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Brown Sugar - Deportation EP

The first EP from Brown Sugar of New York. They released this EP in 2008 and there were no other vinyl releases until 2011 (the LP blows me away so it was worth the wait, I'll post it next). Brown Sugar played at the Family House in November and it fucking ruled, too bad I had just gotten out of surgery on my hand the day of so I was pretty out of it. This EP is pretty rippin' and at times there are hints of Gang Green, especially guitar tone. There are some pretty funny lyrics on here. "Dirty Minds" is the rager of this release for me.









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Boston Strangler - Primitive LP

God damn, this year is just great for full lengths. Boston's own Boston Strangler kills it with this full length Primitive. I saw these guys play their second show and the place was nuts. This LP release shows the same kind of hype and it's absolutely ridiculous how much attention it's getting due to its method of release. I was fortunate enough to pick up a copy from Armageddon, same place I got directions to the show at from Cliff. I'm pretty damn attached to the tape but this LP is really good. I can't count how many times I've spun it so far even after having listened to the mp3s a million times before it's release. Aesthetically and musically this band has it coined. The intros and outros are fucking raging and although the music is all very derivative (think "Get It Away" with Dicky Barrett of Impact Unit on vocals) there are some standout tracks that break the mold. I'm a big fan of Violence Addicts personally, that song is way fucking sick. Disconnect Me is also a rager. All the personal band shout outs are a nice touch, "we're the boston strangler", "stranglah's gonna make you pay", etc. etc. Waste of Time into Bulger Break-Out, what a fucking great way to end a record. It's a nice change of pace seeing hype represent a good record in hardcore instead of something terrible that hardly fits the word. A nice change of pace indeed. Love it or "leave here first class on the poser express".











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Outlook - Our Time Is Now LP

The much anticipated Outlook full length release. I really wish I would have put this up earlier because god damn people need to hear this. Outlook is killing it on all fronts, music is wild, progressive and inventive, lyrics are deep, earnest, and heartfelt and the homecoming show was wild as shit. The record begins with the title track and demonstrates what you can expect from the record, pretty fucking wild right off the bat. The second track is definitely one of my favorites on the record. Release, Gilded Cage, and All There Is are my lyrical favorites, reading them gave me a progression of 'yes... Yes!... and YES!'. Recorded by Rusty and gang/guest vocals provided by Stephie, Sgt X, and yours truly at the Family House. These recordings seem to be the most intense to date calling to mind the speed and intensity of bands like NFAA and Side by Side and blending them with the musical creativity of Beyond. The key thing to take notice of is that it's very difficult to just compare this release to a past band and have it fit its mold; Outlook is very much their own. After hearing this record I can't wait to hear what the next 7" is going to sound like. James said the songwriting is going to be much more collaborative and that it's all just going to come together through practice. Fuck yeah, da best!













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White Wards - S/T 7"

I'm going to be putting up some stuff that I've just been sleeping on doing for a bit. Here is the non-tour final mix version of the White Wards 7" on Iron Lung. This copy is signed by Ian and reads "You're Welcome, Ian Jeffries".





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Olympia News

Sorry it's been so long since I've updated, the weather has been super nice.

News:

Outlook is back from a full US and kicking some serious ass. Plans are to release a new 7" and follow up with a visit to the Euros.
Adjustment to Society was interviewed for Nutz, tattooed on a bunch of people, is recording for a new tape and will be touring July 4th through the 19th, dates will be posted soon. Check out Ben and Colter's photo blogs: http://vbdbct.tumblr.com">Ben Nutz Colter
Dehumanized will be touring in June with Nudes. We will announce the dates soon, while you're at it check out the new Nudes song here
 it's fucking killer. I have given a few Dehumanized tattoos and let James give me one the other day. Malcolm also gave me a Grimace tattoo, if you haven't heard the grimace tape fucking download it!. I will be buying the world's largest gummy worm in preparation for this tour. There are also plans to record a new tape, we are jamming new songs James has written right now.
White Wards has yours truly beating skins again and will be playing either the Hoax or Forward show in Olympia with ATSX and Dehumanized. There are also plans to release a full length on Iron Lung Records.
Trainyard is finishing the mixing on our amazing full length Alien-Nation and is doing CKY intros.
Ben has a new band called Spiritual Warriors and they are sick.
Dick Binge is a new band from Olympia that is fucking awesome, think F.U.'s demo tracks.
Waste is a new Olympia band and is killing it.

More to come weiners!