Review by Beert
*Note: This album is
played on 45, not 33. Although, Go To Prison is pretty heavy when you
play it at 33.3 rpm.
I had heard this band
before. This LP was put out by the Anxious and Angry podcast, and Pears are
played with some regularity. So, in my mind, I had an idea of what to expect,
if you consider listening to a podcast through cheap earbuds while a
letter-sorting machine is roaring at you at 3am as a form of hearing this band.
The first song, “You’re
Boring,” is blazing. I hate to compare bands to other bands, but I can hear a
mix of Behead The Prophet No Lord Shall Live with some of NoMeansNo’s kookier
off-tempo-ness, and a big hit of Propagandhi. “You’re Boring” is a good blend
and unexpected. But, before you know it, you’re moving on to the second song,
“Victim To Be,” which is very anthemic. I can see huge circle pits during this
song. Fast verses and sing-along-choruses. While “You’re Boring” screams by at
under a minute, “Victim To Be” stretches out to about two and a half minutes.
It is enough to make you like the song, but not too long so you wish it was
over. The speed, energy, and changes keep rolling throughout Go To Prison.
The song, “Terrible,” on
side two, is a mix of screaming from the throat and then a quick turn into a
melody. It is akin to the old cartoons when a plane is doing a nosedive out of
control, and the airbrake lever is pulled which stops the plane in midair. It
is fulfilling. Also on side two is a fun cover of “Judy Is A Punk” by the Ramones.
I love when bands cover songs, but make it their own. This isn’t the best cover
of this song, by any means, but it is enjoyable. “Grime Spree,” the song that
finishes off Go To Prison, has me conflicted. It’s an okay song, but
doesn’t seem to be a song that should end this album. Yet, the final line, “I
Want To Lie Down,” and the way that the music has slowed to almost a
sludge/doom sound make that the perfect way to end it.
This album lets you know
that this band will come straight at you, right from the start. Pears’s style
is a mix of many good elements—fast, screamy punk, with some off-tempo bits
thrown in, and some decent singing. Pears come across as a modernized version
of 1980s punk and hardcore. They have the same intensity and emotion, and the
music is an updated sound that retains the razor’s edge that was 80s hardcore.
This is one of the few, current punk bands that I enjoy. So many bands are
filtered into so many sub-genres, while Pears is just a furious punk band. They
take me back to the days when I could circle pit without losing my breath after
one time around. The lyrics are well written. They are teeming with references
to inner-self issues. But the writer is also self-aware enough to recognize
emotion and conflict within. They are able to bring this out in a somewhat
goofy way, while being reflective and sincere at the same time. The record
makes you smile and feel compassionate at the same time.
It is a rare occurrence
to find a band that is able to capture their live energy in a recording. And, I
have never had the opportunity to see Pears, but Go To Prison has captured that
presence and makes me want to see them.
Do I recommend Go To
Prison?
Definitely.
Would I see Pears live,
if given the chance? Hell Yes.
An ideal pairing (pearing?)
for a live show? I would love to see Pears and The Fleshies on the same bill.
Cheers!
Pears make me want to jump in a circle pit. Interesting combination of old bands.
ReplyDeleteyeah this is awesome!
ReplyDeleteThat's some tight shit.
ReplyDelete