the chromatics are a dance band. nevertheless, they are a band - the kind with instruments - and can typically be counted on for some hot shit punk energy (typically...). think gang of four and their cabal of trendy followers: the rapture, lcd soundsystem, moving units, etc. the energy is definitely here on this one, and even though most of the referenced bands provide similarly satisfying grooves, these are up there with the better ones. not groundbreaking, but sexy as hell - could easily be a favorite record for those one-man dance parties (don't deny yourself, dance monkey!)
the other side of this record contains a couple of tracks by a band that should be called the monitor bats. apparently, the band is not content with said nomenclature, and are now known as die monitr batss. this intially seemed a little pretentious (they are from washington state), but after listening to their two tracks, i am willing to call them whatever they want. i had heard this had some jazz in it, but i was certainly unprepared for the onslaught of spastic free jazz/no wave/riot grrrl that awaited me. shit. if you like the flying luttenbachers, erase errata, james chance / the contortions, or any other music that shocks and amazes while it rocks hard and funky, you will be pleased. did i mention this was a side project of olympia punks the gossip? that a relatively straightforward punk band could be in any way associated with this music makes even less sense than the music itself.
in short, this is classic material. i don't know if there exists a better split 7" (although arab on radar / kid commando is hard to beat). it should be purchased in large quantities.
available from the gsl website. also see dim mak for info on monitor bats (upcoming full-length!)