When I think of cosmetics, I always think of Mary Kay and their pink Cadillacs, and pink Cadillacs scream "rock music band right here!" I mean, that culturally appropriating sack of crap Elvis Presley had one, so you know that is pretty rock music band. With a name like Avon Ladies, you'd think they would have want to pick the most rocking cosmetic band name around. However, Avon Ladies are not the type of rock music band that you throw on when you want to wear oversized sunglasses, put your hair up in a bandanna and drive down Highway 101. They are the kind of band that surprises you, like sitting up too fast, or catching a glimpse of your own bum in the mirror.

"Cyanide Lactater" is full of all kinds of feedback, pick slides and random angular guitar jabs that at first are kind of overwhelming, but when you realize that the bass guitar actually has a lot of melody in it and that is the force moving the song along, you really get immersed in the seeming mess of it all. "Hang 'Em High" is much more of a traditional hardcore joint, but it has these little squealing guitar parts that creep up throughout that make it stand out, and it has one of the best breakdowns I've heard all year. The whole record has all sorts of strange and awesome guitar work that you wouldn't think to throw in, but they do and it works.

For all that goes on in the songs, however, Avon Ladies never forget to write a solid song. Some bands think if they throw in a bunch of noise or flying V heroics no one will notice they can't write a song to save their life. If Avon Ladies entered the great Save Your Life by Writing a Killer Tune! competition, they would definitely take away the first prize-their lives.

Katorga Works continues to be a label that refuses to put out anything that could be considered ordinary or run-of-the-mill, and Guns & Gold is no exception. I know I will certainly be on the lookout for the next thing Avon Ladies does and what Katorga Works has in store for us.