VARIOUS ARTISTS - "This is Boston Not L.A."

Modern Method

This is kinda like Dischord's "Flex your Head" in concept, 30 songs by 7 bands or more than enough for even the most jaded.   First off, Jerry's Kids. These guys are similar to some D.C bands but with lots of merit of their own. The singer sounds really wired and the band storms along through six slammin' cuts.  The Proletariat are my personal fave because of the precise guitar arrangements. you will not be able to resist the ripsaw rhythm of "Allegiance." Gang Green deserve not for their thirty second blitzkriegs of hate and angst. This is sorta like having a stack of Marshals turned up to ten in your living room. The Freeze are the sensitive lyricists of the bunch and come off very well indeed. That leaves Decadence, The F.U.'s and the Groinoids who are also deserving of your attention. This is a must have if you wanna know what's going on in Boston, natch.

-G.C. Smith

Chainsaw "Lights Out" issue1982

THE PROLETARIAT - "Distortion"

The Proletariat had one of the stronger sets on "This Is Boston, Not LA". I really came away from "Options" on that lp with a feeling that these folks will do something great. They did and it's this "Distortion" cassette. I plugged this into the cassette player once and it didn't come out for a week. Richard Brown writes ranting tunes of a heavy political nature and grinds them out in a furiously controlled fashion. His voice carries more subtlety and weight and precision than even the piercing keerang of Frank Michael's stinging guitar work. Brown has a fine sense of timing and control and can pen hooks that sink into your skull and never come out. So, what more could ya want??? Fine lyrics, brilliant strident guitar, and a voice with more conviction than Jerry Falwell at a revival meeting...scoop it up or die!!!!!!!!!!

-G.C. Smith

Chainsaw 1982