The Hostages--Grebo 2000 EP
Sell Your Soul 2000
It seems more and more punk rock n' roll today tends to suffer from one of two problems. On the one hand, there are those who cop the sounds of their idols straight-up, offering nothing original or of worth and steering listeners away. Then, you have the groups who try so hard not to slip into that category they wind up making things too fancy. There's actually a sweet spot between those two extremes and it's a magical place. On this Grebo 2000 EP, the Hostages are serving up the porridge that's just right.
Side-A of this EP starts with the tune "Go." Coming off like a punk n' roll version of Hunger-era Makers, great vocal sneer on the verses lifts this cut to being something truly special. A similar vibe ensues on "Ain't Got Time (For Your Bullshit [Baby])" which boasts a smokey feeling bass break towards its end.
Then, there's the second side's sole salvo "Candyland." Devoid of the sneer found on the flip, this one sounds like the best thing Junk Records never put out. Managing to pull off High Voltage period boogie without being just another AC/DC clone, the Hostages serve up the most complex arrangement of this batch, fueled by tasteful harmonica lines.
The superb songwriting found on this Grebo 2000 EP makes it a definite winner. Highly recommended for fans of all the aforementioned styles and bands, as well as some of the acts listed in this 7"er's liner notes such as the Chicken Hawks, Midnight Evils, Short Fuses, and label mates the Coffin Cheaters. Punk rock n' roll with bad intent written all over it--gloriously good.
Score this 7" directly from THE COFFIN CHEATERS
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