The Tears--s/t
Trick Knee 2003
There are a lot of cool things people associate with Wisconsin--breweries, cheese, "the frozen tundra of Lambeau Field," Donna Penciotti's sweet, sweet ass; the list goes on. However, for rockers in the know, this state's greatest export is perhaps the amazing amount of raw, real, unhinged rock and punk it produces. Bands like the Mistreaters and the Mystery Girls make you wonder if there's something in the water up there. This self-titled disc from the Tears will leave you even more dumbfounded--it's the best stuff to come from that neck of the woods yet.
The Tears are comprised of Casey and Nickg from the Stong Come Ons, along with the lovely Clark sisters, Courtney and Natalie. Like all great bands, the Tears have their own sound. However, reference points for that sound are still easily evident--bands such as the Oblivians and Gories come to mind. Though those two bands are the easiest influences to spot, this music is not one or even two dimensional--vibe and structure is varied nicely from track to track. A lot of this can be owed to the fact lead vocal chores are split between Nickg and Courtney. Nickg's incendiary style does a lot in bringing out the Oblivians-esque leanings of this material. Courtney's voice is just a sheer force of nature--sexy and sultry in its most relaxed range, venomous and snarling when it rises to a scream; a bit akin to Joan Jett at her most badass. Bottom line: there is no way the Tears could get it any more perfect in the way they execute this music.
So, what about the music? Suffice to say, there isn't a single song on this disc that's anything less than great. In fact, this album contains the absolute best song this genre has seen in years and years--"Don't Care About Nothin'." If there is a Back From The Grave comp in 2034, this cut will without question be the no-brianer crown jewel of the collection. Swank organ action propells everything over the pouty stomp of a rhythm and the bad attitude seems to gush out effortlessly because of it all. This is one of those songs that can restore peoples faith in rock and roll.
Like fellow Wisconsinites the Mystery Girls, the Tears are comprised of folks under legal drinking age. It all brings you back to the question: what the hell is going on with these kids up in Wisconsin? Who can know? Anyway, God bless 'em all. Just when you think it can't get any better from up there, the Tears come along and blow everything else away. This one is manditory--make haste.
Score this CD directly from UNDERGROUND MEDICINE
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