Back in September, Blacktop Records asked me to review BLUE – Only Attitude.
I like to impersonate my heroes, so I’m doing it a month late.
What’s Only Attitude?
Only Attitude is a single compilation, written and recorded by Ross Miller, the bassist of Canadian Juno Award Winners, the Dirty Nil.
The compilation comprises of two previous releases, Positive Attitude and Only Anger, released in August 2018 and June 2019 respectively.
It came out on 27th September 2019, so I’m pretty late to the party.
At seven tracks, it clocks in at just under 12 minutes. Listen to it on bandcamp.
What Does It Sound Like?
Hardcore punk. Like, you know, proper East Coast Hardcore. Not a 2010 variant of hardcore punk (you know, AFI…)
Fugazi. It sounds a lot like Fugazi. But less funky (Waiting Room is totally funky). Energy that I guess seems slightly reminiscent of Gorilla Biscuits’ first EP.
Primal, urgent and apparently with a positive message. Fast, abrasive, not-tuneful throughout. It’s interesting if you like that sort of stuff. But if you don’t, it’ll probably damage your stomach lining.
While it’s all the result of low production values, the first five songs (Positive Attitude) are raw-er. The bass thumps, guitars drive faster than they should, and it sounds kinda shambolically muscular. Maybe lean’s a better word. Last two songs (Only Anger) are mellower, with more vocals that are more exposed.
I didn’t really appreciate the apparently positive message.
Greater lyrical diversity would have be a boon. First four songs are blue obsessed.
Picks: track 2. Feelin’ Blue, track 5. Comparable Compassion and track 6. Only Anger
Opinion: Not easy listening. Interesting if you like 80’s hardcore. Definitely less polished than any of the Dirty Nil‘s efforts. Dynamic changes on tracks 2 and 5 are nice.
3 BEERS
Why This Is Such An Important Development
A real record label asked me to review something.
That means I’m officially a music journalist.
Rolling Stone and Pitchfork are probably trying to get hold of me. So like, could everyone please continue to not call me.
Thanks.
Henry Says 