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LOCAL ROUNDUP J‘I#MY.U: Cj'.V TERMINUS CITY Justice Isn’t Always Fair TKO Wow! This is an essential local old- school punk album This Atlanta/Athens-based group is denim and leather for real Much like the orig inal punk innovators (The Ramones. The Clash, .The Sex Pistols, etc ), these boys take the spirit of ’50s rock and whip it up into a tury ot energy. A song like 'Backseat" bleeds the blood of Bill Haley and sweats New York Dolls at their rowdiest. It’s basically a love song, and it works brilliantly in this context. "Fight Tonight' paints a vivid picture ol the clubs and hangouts that bands like this must play, describing patrons so completely that you know it's based on real characters. All the other tracks here are almost as strong The only difference between this and classic punk albums is the massive distortion on the guitars that hints at formative listening to Twisted Sister's pre-success releases. That's not a bad thing, though. This guys use it like a weapon Recorded and mixed in just three days, (and kicking off with a hilarious nod to Ozzy) Justice Isn’t Always Fains a welcome reprieve from the bad metal called punk now (re: The Otlspring and Green Day). This is an essential punk album and it's pure fun. Even those with only a passing interest must own it. (4104 24th St.. /103, San Francisco. CA 94114) Chris McKay GLORYFINGER Gloryfinger Foul County It's very important that you listen to local band Glorytinger's strange, lo-li, 22-mmute debut EP after working tfiree shifts at a downtown restaurant job and swilling five warm ales otherwise you may not take the disc's bittersweet and psychedelic subtleties in lull measure. "Sands 01 Tacoma" opens with an eyes-half-open shuffle featuring the stoned Muppel voices ol the band's secret weapons (backup singers Casey Elers and Kerry Kirwm) wailing behind lead singer-guitarist Jason Norris' cock tail croon. "We Go On" and "Shark" slink like the Velvets (or maybe Elf Power) attempting a theme to a bla*- ploitation flick The grandly melancholic wait? "You're Still Slipping Away" recalls the loose, soulful sounds of old John Lennon or T Rex demo reels. The spo.•‘-truckin' boogie rocker ! Strut' concludes the collection with a tun con b:rp!icn ol dieted elements of campy hits from the likes of Golden Earring, Focus. Blondie and B»g Star. Very Strange (1043 Washita Ave., Atlanta. GA 30307) Ballard Lesemann ODE TO ABBEY Happiness in Still Frame Screaming Goddess Happiness In Still Frame is the first live offering from the three members of the Athens/Atlanta-based Ode To Abbey. A live recording with good sound is a must-have for any band, even in limited release, and this one is certainly a credit to the band and the folks who recorded it as the sound quality is great and the presence ol “audience energy" is |ust right. “Why" poses some familiar ques tions with vocals that remind me of Crash Test Dummies. “Rock Star" offers the proverbial prescription for being a rock and roll star in short songs and a certain look. "Nothing At All" is much longer, wifh very danceable rhythms and a cool iam built around a basso osti- nato. "Lazy Day" is a catchy tune, humor ously introduced by the assertion that "depression is good—you know I can't help it." "Sweet Little Angel” is a B B. King song full of bluesy guitar well- played by Shane Hines. "Droll" is an instrumental piece led by guitar and supported by bass and drums There’s also a nice version of Lennon and McCartney's "Norwegian Wood ’ it you like an album from with a clean "live" sound, this one's worth checking out. (110 Ridgeview Dr. Athens. GA 30606) Dawn Maynor FLOOD CITY SHOOTOUT Flood City Shootout Lucky 13 The essence of this album is good- lime. country-flavored, yes. even twangy gel-down music with the adorning sounds of mandolin and slide guitar. Frontman Joe Guerzo's voice is slightly nasal and rather high-pitched and suited penectly for the Flood City Shootout sound. "Olde Westchester" grabbed my attention with two amusing lamentations: "I never thought I'd be this far misled, blame the mescaline... I never thought I'd feel knee deep in shit. I shoulda read the script." “Dishwater Blues"—a pensive song from tho po-i'i of a dishwasher who . js aim*: .efrom the past—cre ates vivid nidifal imagery ol an “inlerno kitchen." "Sylvia" shows off Guerzo's vocal strength and again includes cre ative lyrics. “Dagupan" is about war and carries driving guitar rhythm and a winning mandolin. "Elkins" is another sincere song * about a friend who has passed This one hints at a jazz flavor in organ lones topped with a more bluesy guitar Again. I was compelled by the lyrics of "Undermined:" "Honey, in all honesty, if the wallet's fat you know my ass is gone." I am always impressed by music that seems to really mean something to the people making it. and in these songs there is a sincerity and truth that must be grounded in experience. (P.0 Box 5391, Athens, GA 30604-5391) Dawn Maynor PHALLIC PHUNGUS Exposed Skin Independent release Local iazzy groove outfit Phallic Phungus' Exposed Skin takes the Zappa route to stoner land The quartet is bat ting about .500 with the tracks con tained here, apparently recorded live in the studio. It starts promisingly enough "Chia Un Coletta Fantastico’ kicks things off firmly entrenched in Ho! Rais-era Zappa This track's funky groove and especially frenetic sax solo got me past the obnoxious "trying too hard' artwork and into its sound Unfortunately, that didn't last. The sloppy Grateful Dead- slyie-vocals-over-Dave Matthews music in the title track really makes for a diffi cult listen for fans of actual songs. This number and most of what's contained here are made for noodle dancing and freaking out. The songs are loose, obvi ously born out of improv, and suggest a swinging live show, but don't really stand up in the studio. If not tor the horns featured prominently, the record would pretty much be a bust. “Shifting Gears’ is ten minutes long and is basically three or four songs in one. It begins like bad Urban Dance Squad v.anders into an endless Lumpy Gravy-meets-The Mothers Of Prevention "iam' and winds up in a paen to the pleasures ot put mat sounds more like a parody ot reggae than a tribute to it. The “Quickie Marl Girl" part is mildly amusing. but*can't save the whole piece As tor "All You Need," it's just a bunch ot music geeks trying to rap and invoke John Lennon at the same time Some metaphors, I'm afraid, aren't meant to be mixed and this proves that The last track. The Beginning Of The End Is Just the Middle" is accu rately titled. It's basically a Iree-torm showoff lest that occasionally borders on watered down Mr Bungle and goes on forever. Unless you need photos of these lour guys naked, this will more than I'kely be a waste of your time and money Phallic Phungus may be worth seeing nve, and for now I'd recommend sticking to the shows, because the a'bum is mostly dispensable (2?0 Pmecrtst Or. Athens. GA 5J605) Chris McK’.v Pick up your copy of the • Complete Restaurant Listings • Bar, Club & Music info • Maps • Lodging Listings • Newcomers' Guide to Athen 2000-2001 Get your copy at one of over 250 distribution locations or at tne Flagpole Office Hke iww Mfe, The Art of C^lectiblei from tke 50% 60'i £ 70% D1S' •*1 * 'i best 940 W. Broad SI. Suite #2 • 706.353.3299 MON-SAT 12P-5P • BY APPOINTMENT SUN. artuorm@bellsoufh.net • See us on eBay! MONDAY Monday Night Football with Yards of Beer TUESDAY Do It Fast Or Do It Slow $1.50 Domestic Pints and $1.50 Well Shooters WEDNESDAY Ladies Night Ha If Off A ll Wo m cn y s Dri n ks ' THURSDAY Group Therapy 4 Shooters & Domestic Pitcher S10 FRI DAY 3-8 pm Best Happy “Hour” in Town $1.00 Well Drinks, Bud, Bud Lt, Miller Lt., Coors Lt. 9-11 pm $2.00 Corona, Heine ken, Amstel Lt., Red Stripe, Posters, Dos Equis SUNDAY Open 5pm-Midnight S2.00 Import & $1.50 Domestic Pints The Half Moon Pub MONDAY Drink the Good Stuff $2.00 Call Liquors TUESDAY Martini Night Try Something New \ ft y WEDNESDAY Ladies Night Half Off All Women y s Drinks THURSDAY S4.00 Long Islands & Long Beaches 208-9711 • 301 E. CLAYTON ST. AUGUST 16 ?nnn /