Looking at the corner that hardcore music painted itself into in the first decade of this century is enough to give one pause. How could a style that was so charged, so visceral, back in the early 80's become so incredibly boring? From the chugging "metal-for-morons" one-finger chords, to the monotone barking vocals, to the sad, predictable breakdowns, hardcore became not just formulaic (even the 80's heroes sometimes fell victim to that), but actually quaint. There's not much danger in most contemporary hardcore, except possibly the danger of getting smashed up against a sweaty, shirtless fat guy at a show. The breakneck speed and manic, unstoppable thrill has gone.
OFF! wants to correct that problem. The new self-titled album from the band is a whirlwind of chaotic hardcore fun with all the energy of the glory days, and that's to be expected with Keith Morris, formerly of Black Flag and the Circle Jerks, at the mic. There's no genre-splicing here, no dabbling with metal or reggae or pop. This is less than thirty minutes of pure punk rock fury, and for as dirty and violent as the music is, it's surprisingly refreshing. The nice thing about this release is that while you can hear Black Flag or Dead Kennedys in the sound, the record doesn't feel embarrassingly dated. It's simply a fun hardcore record that acts as something of a palate cleanser from all the watered down angst that carries the "hardcore" moniker these days.
In true hardcore fashion, many of the songs clock in at less than a minute, but they feel fully formed, complete with spastic lead guitar work thrown in occasionally by Dimitri Coats from the band Burning Brides. In fact, OFF! is something of a punk rock supergroup, as the lineup is rounded out by Redd Kross bassist Steven Shane McDonald and Rocket From The Crypt drummer Mario Rubalcaba. The classic hardcore pedigree is completed with cover art from longtime Black Flag collaborator Raymond Pettibon. Every punk I know wishes for a return of the SST/Dischord hardcore sound, and here's a good solid dose of it.
-Review by TZARATHUSTRA
