8TH ROUTE ARMY - Think For Yourself EP 1982

Now a small package of three 7Inches (Think For Yourself '82, No Leaders '84 & Outside My Window '85) for you by the Eighth Route Army, a four piece from Northampton, formed in early Eighties and lasting until the end of the decade and the band consisted of Johnny (vocals), Mark (guitars/synth), Jim (bass/vocals), John (drums) and all were released via 1 Dimensional Records. While the first two are quite decent mid-tempo goodies, the third becomes extremely poppy and almost boring, really amazing what motives such a change entails. I can't explain myself with the best will in the world, especially the album Nihilist Olympics ('85) doesn't even come close to going in this direction. And a solid review confirms the debut EP as really strong: "This EP features an eclectic mix of material, Clash rock with horns and slick backing vocals; biting Punk with clever lyrics about future "Punk" politicians ("Vice Presidente"); and a scathing critique of military recruitment set on slower, Chelsea-style material ("Professional Killer"). Multidimensional and thoughtful." (Jeff Bale, MRR #7 • July/August 1983) You see, change is not always an advantage but still necessary, it just needs to be considered accordingly. Enough philosophizing, I want to look for a new desktop today, otherwise I'll turn off.

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V/A - Shielded By Death #3 Exit Stage West 2003

Last Volume by this little serie from Bacchus Archives and we have sixteen rare tracks by from mostly bands which have made a record here and there or just only a demo and you can find the corresponding stories on the back cover which the creator gives in detailed liner notes. I like the presentation and the selection of songs and I believe the spirit of the early days is spraying effectively out of your room and every passing pedestrian have to stop and listen and neighbors are upset, believe me, I know what I'm talking about, hahaha... The German label Incognito Records released in 2000 Busted At The Lit Club and I think it's the predecessor of the first part of this series but I'm not sure. Wherever, this is excellent stuff, more please!

1.Nothing Is Sacred Anymore - LAST SUPPER

2.Screw The Crew - S.V.O.E.

3.Record Burning Party People - 8TH ROUTE ARMY

4.Flag Day - HOT BODIES

5.The Blue Wash Room - THE DISPOSSESSED

6.The Signal - THE VERTEBRATES

7.Pain Is Pain Is Pain - SEIZURE

8.Trix Are For Kids - PSYCHO

9.Suicidal Tendencies - THE TRANSPLANTS

10.Hey (Not Another Face In The Crowd) - THRILLS

11.Lead Us To The Grave - TARGET CELLS

12.Number - CANCEROUS GROWTH

13.8 Hour Countdown - THE STRATFORD SURVIVORS

14.Microwave - DADA BANKS

15.Wide Awake - WIDE AWAKE

16.Pushing Buttons - T.V. NEATS

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8TH ROUTE ARMY - Nihilist Olympics 1985

After releasing some 7inches the East Cost Boston punks put out their debut album 1985 at 1 Dimensional Records. And I don't know why this album is quite cheap?? OK, it's certainly not a milestone in the history of US punk but it's attractive I think. The album is divided with old songs (a-side) and new stuff and full with simple 3-chord-melody-punk with singalong choruses, but partly also (especially in the new songs) beautiful, soulful tracks that can't hardly be put into any drawer. Even the punk detectives discovered them for the Killed By Death #100 compilation and 'Vice Presidente' is a superb punk track. "Nihilist Olympics works as a musical history that traces the high energy simplicity of hard core punk through more complex melodic neo-pop." (Jay Savage, The Heights, Volume LXI, Number 10, 18 April 1989). So for me this is a great record, which is a half of good punk rock, the other slower & more serious and simply brilliant original music.

- Special Thx to Fredrik -

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