T.S.O.L.

T.S.O.L.: TSOL/Weathered StatuesTSOL/Weathered Statues (1997)
Nitro Records

Reviewer Rating: 5

User Rating:

Contributed by: JanelleJJanelleJ
(others by this writer | submit your own)
Published on December 16th 2003The first five tracks on this reissue of TSOL's pair of 1981 EPs are from their s/t debut, which are fast, energetic, angry, urgent, in a word - TIMELESS. Jack Grisham, Ron Emory, Mike Roche, and Todd Barnes (RIP) made some of the greatest incendiary political punk in their day. With songs like th.

The first five tracks on this reissue of TSOL's pair of 1981 EPs are from their s/t debut, which are fast, energetic, angry, urgent, in a word - TIMELESS. Jack Grisham, Ron Emory, Mike Roche, and Todd Barnes (RIP) made some of the greatest incendiary political punk in their day. With songs like the classic anarchic anthem "Abolish Government/Silent Majority" - with its pleas to the masses to "wake up" and the socialist-leaning "Property Is Theft" - despite the clashing of ideologies, their displeasure of American government is so visceral, so articulate, it's almost tangible. The furious opener, the glorious "Superficial Love", features the greatest lyrics on the s/t EP: "But that's the American way; what it is to be free/If that's what they call freedom, it is not for me/President Reagan can shove it!", whilst on the last track of this EP, "World War III", Grisham ponders, "Where do I stand in this form of power?/Where do I sit in this government?"

Then it's on to the "Weathered Statues" side…what can be said? This is truly the masterpiece of the album. It opens with "Man and Machine", a fast-paced hardcore tune not unlike those found throughout the s/t EP, but after which, TSOL explore the darker, more goth side of their sound. One must look at these two EPs chronologically, as they sandwich TSOL's 1981 debut LP 'Dance With Me', the finest piece of American punk - EVER - in this reviewer's mind. Now, this LP showcases the foursome's foray into the macabre, and fittingly, the first release following it, the "Weathered Statues" EP, follows in this dark vein. Likewise, the guys had pretty much forsaken their penchant for socio-political commentary after releasing their first EP.

The two standout compositions out of the four from the "Weathered Statues" EP are the title track, which is on a par with the frightening "Silent Scream" from 'Dance With Me' and the penultimate track "Thoughts of Yesterday". On the former, though, for full effect, Jack's vocals are reminiscent of the legendary prince of darkness Vincent Price (!), as he sings of old soldiers who are forgotten and abandoned by those they saved ("Lonely men who are tortured, once proud but now forlorn/Gnarled hands hold canes, where guns once were before"), all enveloped in Emory's eerily winding guitars and a forboding bassline. "Thoughts of Yesterday" is quick-paced but still dark and full of poetical, depressing lyrics dealing with heartache and regret - undoubtedly the most affecting offering. Just take one of the final lines, "Watching, waiting silent there, children running as were my tears." Melodramatic and exaggerated, perhaps, but how wonderfully powerful it is! All this is accentuated by ethereal guitar work and a steady rhythm section.

The "Weathered Statues" EP ends with "Word Is", which is dominated by a ska vibe. Despite this more upbeat rhythm, the frustrated love themed lyrics are still gloomy, woe-is-me, and full of longing ("Look to my eyes, tell me what you see/I'm empty inside but a small part of me is listening to rumours and believeing lies/That part's always searching but it's never finding"). And after this release, TSOL would go in yet ANOTHER direction…for more on the ongoing saga of TSOL's ever-evolving sound, check out their second LP 1982's 'Beneath The Shadows' for a real treat.

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Fine Print: The following comments are owned by whoever posted them. We are not respon sible for them in any way. Seriously.

thejoshbennett (January 12, 2006)

Great album, my regrets not getting it earlier.

Anonymous (December 23, 2003)

Ok Vandal - I was just kidding. You're not at all like metal TSOL.
Yet, still, you're not DANCE WITH ME either. So, hmmm...maybe BENEATH THE SHADOWS-era TSOL. That album is different, and an acquired taste, but awesome as hell. Wow I just gave you a compliment.

Funk have fun in CA.
-Janelle

GreenVandal (December 22, 2003)

damn you funky. your still cool though, so hows that fooze ball goin? any homeruns?

im so lame that i amaze myself.

Anonymous (December 22, 2003)

vandal must have seen my new business cards... he got everything spot on.
funkisdead - jock poseur republicrat.
janelle- i would love to check out the shows, but i leave for california tomorrow. i get back to set up my place just after new years. i'll drop you an e-mail.

sincerely,
the official not-logged-in-because-i'm-lazy-but-still-in-a-hostel-in-boston funkisdead

GreenVandal (December 22, 2003)

Not GIRLS mind you. Just chicks. I think that deserves special attention.

I got a funny haircut last week. I call it the emo mullet. My sister calls it "either a girls haircut, or a gay dudes"

Supersweet eh?

GreenVandal (December 22, 2003)

That was mean Janelle...I dont want to be metal T.S.O.L! I want to be good T.S.O.L...either that or the strokes cuz they get chicks.

you know thats what i come to this website for...chicks.

Anonymous (December 22, 2003)

You're way off...I look like larry king without pants as I type away with one hand.

Anonymous (December 22, 2003)

Funk is in a hostel in Boston??? Come on to NYC...! Some good shows going on for a couple days after Christmas!!!!
-Janelle

Vandal vandal vandal vandal vandal = metal tsol.

poor metal tsol.
and dignin, that is a scary thought - that steve buscemi look-alike thing...fuckin scary...

GreenVandal (December 22, 2003)

hey BSD, Maverick is Scott. of course you prolly know that which makes it funnier. but Ill still point it out cuz im little mister know it all.

I think we should band funkisdead for being a jock poser republicrat. Only jock poser republicrats dont like magic cards.

That and sellouts.

heh...so...porn anyone?

dignin (December 22, 2003)

I meant with his pants OFF.

dignin (December 22, 2003)

I picture Todd KIllings to be some creepy Steve Buschemi look alike that types with pants on.

Anonymous (December 21, 2003)

Scott, ban BobaFett, Kirby Pokkket (for not knowing that "Rise Above" was a Black Flag song), Maverick for being named after a lame ass 2D game and Todd Killings for being mundo mondo el-Creepo. Thanks

-BSD

Anonymous (December 21, 2003)

greenvandal, magic cards suck.
its a simple fact.
magic cards suck even more than metal tsol, man. bummer, huh?
sincerely,
the not-logged-in-because-i'm-in-a-hostel-in-boston-looking-for-an-ap artment funkisdead.

ps: todd needs bsd to cut or ban him.

pps: if he won't i'll do it.

GreenVandal (December 21, 2003)

*sigh* this is what happens when you introduce a girl to a sausage fest website like this. hahaha, geeks!

Good C/D. Huzzah for TSOL. Boo to metal TSOL.

And Janelle...cmon, first you dont know what magic is, and now you dont know nuthin bout comics? What kind of internet geek are you...

Anonymous (December 20, 2003)

I'll put your head in a milk bottle! -Todd Killings

dignin (December 20, 2003)

and todds creepin' a bit.

Anonymous (December 20, 2003)

todd - i'm not on yahoo...
-J

Anonymous (December 20, 2003)

this thread has gotten a bit off topic...
-Janelle
dignin, dignin...the only one who caught that?

Anonymous (December 19, 2003)

Janelle, IM me.
yahoo ID-toddkillings

dignin (December 19, 2003)

"...and your point is...?
-Janelle"

I think its safe to assume I wasn't the only guy/girl on this site to be moderately aroused by this comment.

Anonymous (December 19, 2003)

You're just jealous you have to PAY TO CUM.

-BSD

Anonymous (December 19, 2003)

ah, what a wonderful song...

and BSD!!!! I'm shocked ha
-Janelle

Anonymous (December 19, 2003)

its superficial love I know...
-toddkillings

Anonymous (December 19, 2003)

who am I? I'm Todd Killings

Anonymous (December 19, 2003)

Waiting for the free porn to come (cum) on the cable extras.

-BSD

Anonymous (December 19, 2003)

...and my BSD, what were you doing watching vh1 classic?!!!

Anonymous (December 19, 2003)

...but WHO are you???
-Janelle

Anonymous (December 19, 2003)

Janelle, I'm in love with my mental picture of you!

Anonymous (December 19, 2003)

Metal TSOL is funny. I think I saw one of their videos on VH1 classic...

-BSD

TheOneTrueBill (December 19, 2003)

i'll kill them.

Anonymous (December 19, 2003)

guys, you must remember that in the mid- to late-80s, i guess you'd call it, it wasn't even TSOL, per se...
Jack and Todd had left after BENEATH THE SHADOWS...
True Ron and Mike were still there for CHANGE TODAY and REVENGE, they left after...
so it can't even compare.
Then the original guys started up playing under the moniker "The Original TSOL" and there was a legal battle for the rights to the name TSOL.
I actually got made fun of at the GBH show for wearing my TSOL shirt by this band that I will never forget or ease my hatred toward - The Eggplant Queens...
-Janelle

TheOneTrueBill (December 18, 2003)

I saw used copies of 'Revenge' and 'Hit and Run' the other day. I cringed.

ZLNFTOC (December 18, 2003)

funkisdead, Change Today was the first "TSOL" album I've ever bought. Boy did it suck.

funkisdead (December 18, 2003)

these records are both great, as is janelle's review.
but does anyone remember the crap metal tsol? when the drummer from guns 'n' roses wore a tsol shirt in one of their videos? pretty silly.

Anonymous (December 18, 2003)

"I got it from an R. Crumb comic"

Yeah, well you know i don't read comics...
-J

Anonymous (December 18, 2003)

Short for naturally, I got it from an R. Crumb comic, Mr. Natural. He's walking down the street and the most stereotypical kid of modern times sez:

"Hey, it's th' Natch'!"

-BSD

Anonymous (December 18, 2003)

now i have one for you - what's "natch"?
-Janelle
(not down with today's youth slang apparently).

Anonymous (December 17, 2003)

True Sounds of Liberty, natch.

-BSD

Icapped2pac (December 17, 2003)

I'm totally ignorant to this band. I've seen their name a hundred times, though, and I always wonder what the hell does that stand for? Somebody enlighten me.

Anonymous (December 17, 2003)

...and your point is...?
-Janelle

Anonymous (December 16, 2003)

Janelle sucks!

Anonymous (December 16, 2003)

Yeah, that is rather lame. "Code Blue" is fucking tame by modern standards, too. What, were they shocked by "Fresh Fruit for Rotting Vegetables"?

-BSD

Anonymous (December 16, 2003)

Yeah, that is rather lame. "Code Blue" is fucking tame by modern standards, too. What, were they shocked by "Fresh Fruit for Rotting Vegetables"?

-BSD

Anonymous (December 16, 2003)

"i also love code blue. i want to cover it, but the rest of my band (for obvious reasons) absolutely refuses."

you should start a new band

ZLNFTOC (December 16, 2003)

Good review. 2008 should be a very fun year. Too bad Keith refuses to do "Live Fast Die Young" anymore. Ah well, it wouldn't be the same without Lucky anyway.

mrwaffles (December 16, 2003)

good review. i also love code blue. i want to cover it, but the rest of my band (for obvious reasons) absolutely refuses.
and personally, my favorite GBH song is "City Baby Attacked by Rats"

Anonymous (December 16, 2003)

gbh/circle jerks was killer
-Janelle

a review/photos:

http://rebelnoise.com/viewshowreviews.php?id=41

ZLNFTOC (December 16, 2003)

Missed out on GBH AND the Circle Jerks this summer. Stupid job, I felt like Zander Schloss in Repo Man.

Anonymous (December 16, 2003)

all-time = Lycanthropy.
-Janelle

Anonymous (December 16, 2003)

My favorite GBH song is "No Survivors", it has one of the best riffs of the hardcore era.

-BSD

Anonymous (December 16, 2003)

Oh yeah Code Blue is definately required punk listening, but I mean outside of punk

Anonymous (December 16, 2003)

i love "Code Blue". that song is brilliant.
-Janelle
that's the first song of their's i ever heard...the lyrics are awesome...the subject matter taboo, but i like that stuff...one of my favourite GBH songs is "NECROPHILIA" - you just have to love it.

ZLNFTOC (December 16, 2003)

Yeah, the White Stripes suck. While some people might like 'em, think how amazing they could be with Mike Roche on bass or any bassist for that matter. BTW, it's cool not too many are that offended by "Code Blue" because, well, if you've heard the song you'll know what I mean.

Anonymous (December 16, 2003)

"doesn't 'Seven Nation Army' by the White Stripes sort of sound like 'Word Is?'"

To tell you the truth i never heard the white stripes...

-Janelle
and yeah, i think most people know "Code Blue"

Mr_Pink (December 16, 2003)

That's funny, I would put Code Blue in any list of punk "standards." I thought everyone knew it, even if they didn't know it was TSOL.

Anonymous (December 16, 2003)

Not that it's on here, but I wish that Code Blue was a well known song, because sometimes I start singing it and...

Anonymous (December 16, 2003)

Janelle you are a good reviewer, and I'm not just saying that because I agree with you about TSOL, you have a way with words...hmmmmm, I bet you're hot too.

Mr_Pink (December 16, 2003)

Good job, Janelle.

ZLNFTOC (December 16, 2003)

Jesus Janelle, another 10 for TSOL? LOL. It's funny how they're still relevant today as if all they have to do is change "Reagan" to "Bush" in "World War III." Nice review and use of the world visceral and while we're on the topic, doesn't "Seven Nation Army" by the White Stripes sort of sound like "Word Is?"

TheOneTrueBill (December 16, 2003)

fuck off buddy.

One of the first old punk bands I ever got into (thank you Nitro Records compilations) and I still love it to death.

Anonymous (December 16, 2003)

Back to her 10s already?