(DL13) - LAMBINATION 3 - V/A
FungalPunk - UK
Deadlamb Records are Ireland’s
ultimate underdog label and sponsors of the Spit and Sawdust Tour and so
get a fungal thumbs up for everything they do for this precious scene.
They have a fire in their bellies and they wanna make a difference - not
a bad ethos is it? They love their punk music and these CD's reflect
that as well as showing their sense of melodic adventure in the fact
that they are not afraid to mix and match noises from here, there and
everywhere. The buggers send me these CD's to review and it does put me
in a position. What if they are crap? How do you say to your own
sponsors who you admire for all they do that their latest CD is shite.
Luckily they know me and expect the truth and I am sure appreciate my
honesty and critical evaluations - I bloody well hope so ha, ha. Anyway
here goes another venture into the Deadlamb Records discography this
time with a compilation of 21 tracks with, as per usual, many tastes
catered for and all punk needs pleased.
With the previous 2 efforts I have noted that without several spins the
CD's could very well easily be misjudged and classed as mundane,
mediocre offerings with no adhesive qualities whatsoever. Like all good
things, time enhances the beauty and that is again the theme with this
very decent product. Mutiny hail from South Africa and get the ball
rolling with an abrasive slam entitled 'Politician Bastards'. This is a
solid commencement and despite the corrosive sonics there is enough
funky guitar to make this a pleasing opener. The frontmans gob is hungry
and thirsts for impact and for me seems satisfied on both counts. Danish
band the Mighty Midgets offer similar pace but with a new school
inflection and so have a chance of appealing to the young and old with
the urgent 'Guilty Until Proven Innocent'. A firm track that hotfoots it
to the finish line with tireless gusto and accomplished accuracy.
Canada's Glamorous Maggots have essences of screwball punkology
reminiscent of quirky US bands with an inkling to be zany. The opening
drums and tinkling guitar of 'Ego's And Arrogance' do not forewarn of
the ensuing noise and it really is a bizarre little offering. Similar to
a few Alternative Tentacles outputs and a curio indeed to mull over,
enjoy, debate and then reconsider. Do I like it or do I loathe it - well
certainly not the latter so an uncertain nod goes the songs way.
Nomatrix offer their usual punky edge and are a band I do like. They
have a diversity of delivery and are instantly recognisable, 2 qualities
that count. There is a sneering edge to the vocals which appeals and
this is a fair song. There is a swagger to the Nomatrix sound as well as
an unsettled tetchiness thus creating further depths of interest -
always a good addition to any compilation. California Redemption ask us
to 'Screw' and is a modernised melody that despite being turbo-fuelled
does seem to lack a complete adhesiveness and is one you have to play
over and over again to get to grips with. It's gotta be played loud to
have any impact and occasionally gets the head a little too far down and
stays overly focused. Flat Back Four however 'Burn The Flag' with their
renowned vigour and excellently delivered brilliance and once fully
kicked-in the songs burns very brightly indeed. Los Langeros is the
freak of the family with an insane sounding barnyard cluck-up called
'Killing Frogs'. It is pure idiocy and raps and craps along with a
taut-stringed intercut that irritates the most tetchy of nerves. It is
still listenable but occasionally it does send one fuckin' bananas with
its waspy drone and hillbilly vocals. The Arguments sound completely
revamped here and regardless of the hit and miss opening that seems
under-produced the song operates well with a nice chorus that
immediately catches the ear. 'Bomb Drop' thrives because the vocals are
delivered with passion and so helps the muffled instrumentation that, if
better produced, could have made a real stunner. The 'Last Round' is
served up via Swivel foot and is a right good old knees up that I
personally rate. A drunken slur seems apparent and the song foams with
effervescent belief and some accomplished musicianship that appeals by
the pintful.
Lucien and 'Freechild' is a rockin' piece of glam and one of the bands
better efforts, Batteries Not Included bop and bang with a real good
effort known as 'Before The Flame Dies' and Koncept bulldoze all in
their path and deliver a track that is indeed 'Cuckoo' with rage. One
thing to add at this point is the very fine example that this CD is of
containing a wide diversity of tracks that need to be tasted
individually rather than trying to assess as one whole product. The
package itself can appear disjointed and thus the final assessment is
very unworthy of the quality. Having reviewed many compilations I have
learned that each one needs it's own analytical approach and this one is
a definite sample of that methodology. Compilations with more familiar
bands have, if one isn't careful, the advantage of making a greater
initial impact and so sway judgement - luckily I have an underdog
sniffing streak and that I hope comes across in my scribbling. No sway,
no way - just as fair as I can be with what's rammed down my ear holes.
Derkovbois swing in with the previously unreleased 'Papp Laci' which has
an opening sequence that doesn't reflect how the song eventually
finishes but nonetheless is a decent output and steps nicely on board
'The Last Bus' by Semi Komoly. This song hints at skank, trifles with
punk and gentle merges melodies and triumphs on all fronts. This lot are
quite a Deadlamb favourite and on the back of this song it is no wonder
why. The angst is restrained but apparent enough and the overall musical
backdrop sweet enough without being sickly. Another previously
unreleased track next called 'Countdown' by yank red lighters 'Haywire'.
Hectic and just staying on the right side of coherence this is solid
enough and has a good bass undercurrent that pads out the finished
sound. It does seem to jerk and stutter occasionally which affects the
end output but it gets by...just!
The Liberals from Malaysia mix nastiness and rusted inflection with
typical punk passion as they burst lungs with 'Don't Need Your
Revolution'. This shows just how far the Deadlamb arms are reaching to
bring the ignorant some worldwide punkology - I for one appreciate it.
It is all good stuff and the next band sound like a Spanish Cocksparrer
in some respects as well as your usual overseas new style band. 'Vondonikens'
deliver a likeable effort that has a chorus that is very familiar indeed
- or am I mistaken? First Time Riot are taut to the extremes with class
and quality and this is a very good song and reflects one of those UK
underdog fuckers that is wasted on punters in these pathetic shores. 'Meminisse
Sed Providere' is exact and cruises with punky edge and individuality -
lovely! The Bullet Kings next and I am a genuine fan of this band but
this is their worst song to date - I hate it. It never really gets going
and the tune just grates and grates - sorry lads but the worst song of
the CD and that’s fungally official. There goes my fan club membership
but I hope they realise I still believe in the BK crew. Loads will
disagree with these comments but come on I gotta be truthful now!
Von Boom from Sweden present us with the penultimate track entitled 'Annu
En Dag', a frustrated seizure that never quite blacks out but just stays
too shackled thus limiting a full all-out blitz. Not bad but the finale
is impeccable as Oi noise merchants Mouthguard impress us from down
under with the boozing 'Drink All Night'. A straightforward shindig and
a fitting conclusion to a solid CD that gives a taste of many obscure
modes of punk rock.
Deadlamb continue to plod in the murky depths where the underdog tries
to swim and for me it is labels like this that we owe untold thanks to.
They awake and feed our curiosity and help spread the message all over
the fuckin' world. Compiling compilations is a hard task and the rewards
can be frustratingly non-existent in as far as finances go but to know
you are doing your bit and trying to get bands exposure is reward enough
especially when it is of this standard. Like I said earlier don't judge
this on one or two spins - settle into the music and then truly enjoy!
DAVE FUNGAL JAN 2009
(DL13) - LAMBINATION 3 - V/A
Suspect Device - Zine - UK
Dead Lamb are a new label to me, and I know nothing about them, but I do
like their idea of supporting unknown, underground bands and promoting
them as the backbone of the worldwide punk rock scene. This compilation
features 21 bands from all over the world with a mixture of demo tracks,
songs from DIY EPs along with a few that are previously unreleased. Not
every band here hits the spot, but there is plenty of good stuff, and
anyway that’s not the point; the fact that “Lambination” highlights not
just the DIY ethic, but also the diversity of the punk rock scene makes
this a very worthwhile release. Check it out.
(Tony Suspect)
(DL13) - LAMBINATION 3 - V/A
The Chiz (South African Culture Mumble)
There’s the old joke that punk is not dead, it just smells that way. Well, here’s proof that it certainly isn’t dead: Lambination III!
The compilation is from Dead Lamb Records in Ireland and features underground punk bands from all over the world. Including South Africa. Cape Town’s Mutiny open the album up and Joburg’s Swivel Foot are more or less in the middle. It is 21 tracks of pure punk mayhem and enough to gladden the heart of any old punk. Or a new one for that matter.
The sound of the CD is interesting. Some of these guys clearly don’t have much in the way or a recording budget and in this sense, the album is REALLY old school. It seems very much the case that the idea is to get the sound as raw and real as the live sound. Stylistically, its pretty old school as well.. not much in the way of frills and extra’s… just plain old punk and roll.
Punk music over the years has risen and sunk like a corpse in the river of the damned. Its various incarnations and variations are enough to make your head spin. SO I am not even going to Try and catalogue that all here. But what I will say is that if you maintain any kind of interest in the genre, this is a fascinating snapshot of what is going on at a grass roots level with punk bands across the glob. One thing you will notice is that it does seem to include a lot of drinking. Some fiery political sentiments and a lot of drinking.
If you are an angry young punk kid, you will gain plenty of grist to add to your mill here. And if you are a crusty old punk kid, you’ll enjoy a trip down memory lane with some great new twists.
Wednesday, October 29, 2008 10:13 AM by David