Tom Verlaine and Jimmy Rip | Music for Experimental Film DVD
True West | Hollywood Holiday Revisited
Various Artists | Boston Underground 1979–1982
ROLL BACK | Review by Peter Aaron
Speaking of post–punk, that’s the focus of the overtly named Boston Underground 1979–1982, which chronicles early Beantown club stalwarts Native Tongue, Dangerous Birds, Insteps, Maps, Lori Green, Young Snakes, and Art Yard. Thanks to the sound’s revival via hit makers like Interpol and Franz Ferdinand, the stuff here should feel familiar enough even to those too young to have been around for it the first time: lots of flanged–out underwater bass and chorus pedal–drenched guitars a la Joy Division, along with plenty of dance floor–friendly hi–hat beats and the occasional faux–English accent. None of these acts would have had their local contemporaries in Mission of Burma looking over their shoulders, and some liner notes would’ve been nice, but as a whole this disc is a hip and enjoyable time capsule. Loud snaps go to the sharp, angular pop of the Insteps, Maps, and Dangerous Birds, all of whom would contribute members to later indie darlings Salem 66, Christmas, and Come. Also worth mentioning are the Young Snakes, who feature a pre–’Til Tuesday Aimee Mann and deliver a winningly trashy instrumental. |
