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New Mexican Disaster Squad

New Mexican Disaster Squad
2003
A-F

New Mexican Disaster Squad - New Mexican Disaster Squad (Cover Artwork)

Review by: justin mc cray
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Published on December 23rd 2003

Pop the CD in your player. The first chord rings out and a bass line rips through the noise. Within the first 3 seconds it's full speed ahead. 'You're Incorrect' the first track off of New Mexican Disaster Squad's newest full length has much more in common with Minor Threat than it does with anything in contemporary punk rock. The chord progressions tear up and down the fret board at a break neck pace and the track ends quickly leaving you gasping for air. The next track 'Vultures' is a more mid tempo rocking song with a herky jerky tempo that reminds me a lot of Black Flag meets Bad Brains. The angry vocals and shouted back ups sound pissed, but not overly tough. 'Counterfeit II' the third track is a fast and slightly more melodic song with great vocal hooks and a great ending. It has a more Dag Nasty feel than anything. The list goes on, and this record rips and tears at all the right places. At a little over 20 minutes, it ends with 'Ride the Crest' an epic closing song with a reoccuring octave part that you'll be humming for a week. 'Ride the Crest' only makes you ready to start the record all over again.

I was pleased to notice that the lyrics are thought-provoking and done in a way that isn't over-the-top. It's told on a more personal level. What I find most interesting is NMDS's ability to write a great hook, but only throw it into a song once, or maybe twice if you're lucky. It's like, here it is, you have one chance to get it... if not you're fucked. They stray from repitition like it were cancer. This definitely makes for some interesting song structuring along the way, but can also make it hard to grasp the songs right away.

NMDS are a throw back to early to mid 80's hardcore, which on the surface could be viewed as nothing new. After repeated listens, I found myself more and more engrossed into the record and paying more and more attention to how they're doing what they do. They've definitely put their own twist into the song writing and structuring. The production and artwork are also not too shabby. The guitars aren't very heavily distorted giving it a stringy natural sound and making it sound authentically 80's. The layout is also interesting with grainy textured artwork and a reoccuring vulture/businessman theme.

All in all I was pleasantly suprised when I picked this up, and grew to really love and appreciate this record. If you're not convinced at first, give it a few listens... it'll snag you when you least expect it. NMDS are something the punk scene really needs, and more people should check them out. In my opinion one of the best records out this year, and probably awesome live too.

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Posted by RobEG on 2004-12-19 19:09:39
My Score:

Holy Shit. Everytime I listen to this album I cum in my pants. Its the most intense punk album to come out of Florida, nay, the country in years. Not since the Bad Brains has a band combined such great melodies with ripping guitars and some of the sickest bass lines you'll ever be privleged to hear. The songs tear through your ears and leave you wondering how such dorky guys could play such awesome music. Honestly, I thought they had studio muscians play on their album until I saw them live with Strike Anyewhere. Simply amazing talent. If you like good music, this is a must buy.

Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, March 31, 2004 at 3:38 PM (EST)
My Score:

I saw them live w/Rise Against, Joe came out at the end to play bass while the bassist sang "Minor Threat". Really fun live, the album's pretty good too. I'd def. see them again.

Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, December 30, 2003 at 2:50 AM (EST)
My Score:

he didnt say they sound "just like" minor threat... it said it has more in common with minor threat than anything in contemporary punk... minor threat are an untouchable band... pretty much perfect... i dont think anyone really compares to them... but anyways... NMDS are really good though.

Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, December 30, 2003 at 2:01 AM (EST)
My Score:

"Nothing more hilarious than guys in tight pants and styled hair grunting along to macho music about love."

Hands down, my favorite comment in a long time. I think I'm going to save that on my computer.

This band sounds alright, but comparing them to Minor Threat is a bit much. I don't know about live, but on the record, they don't have nearly as much energy/power as Minor Threat did.
Anyway, if I see the record I'll probably pick it up.

Posted by Anonymous on Monday, December 29, 2003 at 10:37 PM (EST)
My Score:

hatebreed, converge, etc. bullshit metalcore bands are not hardcore in any true sense of the word. when i think of hardcore, i think black flag, dead kennedys, the circle jerks, fear. fuck all these bands, fuck em all.

Posted by Anonymous on Sunday, December 28, 2003 at 10:46 PM (EST)
My Score:

Nothing more hilarious than guys in tight pants and styled hair grunting along to macho music about love.

Posted by Anonymous on Sunday, December 28, 2003 at 8:22 PM (EST)
My Score:

three cheers for the guy who used "metrosexual" a few comments ago; damn, THAT was the word I was looking for to describe these trendy metalcore guys: thank you

Posted by Anonymous on Sunday, December 28, 2003 at 1:42 PM (EST)
My Score:

This is really gay shit. And when I say gay i mean like when one guy slides his cock straight up another mans buttocks. Now thats how gay this is.!

Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, December 27, 2003 at 9:08 PM (EST)
My Score:

Yeah, these guys slay live, especially when they decide to end their set with the Minor Threat mini-set. Top 10 for sure.

Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, December 27, 2003 at 2:59 PM (EST)
My Score:

Best band on A-F Records hands down.

J.P.

Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, December 27, 2003 at 1:02 PM (EST)
My Score:

i saw them with strike anywhere too, and i feel completely different. they sounded really tight and angry (like punk should be). i bought the record and it's really great. cheers to NMDS!

Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, December 27, 2003 at 12:55 PM (EST)
My Score:

they have no convictions?! haha... how do you know what kind of convictions they have just by watching a show? haha... crazy fucker.

Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, December 27, 2003 at 6:09 AM (EST)
My Score:

i saw them with strike anywhere. It is simply no good, no good at all.

They were not motivated. They are like with no convictions.

I think also they are not original. it always the the same thing.

a§

Posted by Anonymous on Friday, December 26, 2003 at 11:29 PM (EST)
My Score:

LOL lots of people like my record...suck my dick...suck suck my dick....and its big....yes and its big....i fucked your girlfriends ass yes yes i did

Posted by Anonymous on Friday, December 26, 2003 at 1:11 PM (EST)
My Score:

Check out all of these A-F bands if you haven't yet:

Pipedown
Thought Riot
Much The Same
The Code
Destruction Made Simple

And don't forget that A-F was also home to The Unseen and The Methadones at one time too!

Posted by Anonymous on Friday, December 26, 2003 at 1:09 PM (EST)
My Score:

This year has been a great one for real hardcore punk, not the fake stuff that the metrosexual punks listen to

Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, December 25, 2003 at 4:03 PM (EST)
My Score:

don't hate. youre just jealous cuz no one likes YOUR record (or maybe youre too untalented of a schmuck to make music anyone would appreciate).

Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, December 25, 2003 at 2:13 PM (EST)
My Score:

I remember when this band used to play at DIY records all the time.

Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, December 25, 2003 at 1:08 PM (EST)
My Score:

WOW why don't you go suck on that dick sitting in your ass

Posted by notfeelingcreative on 2003-12-25 00:47:05
My Score:

Just think the only bands we had in orlando ten years ago were Tabitha's secret (matchbox 20) and seven mary three!

Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, December 24, 2003 at 2:51 PM (EST)
My Score:

great review! i got this album, and it grew on me sooo much with every listen. fucking awesome record! they just got back from europe with strike anywhere too. i would have killed to see those two bands together! NMDS are a band to look out for in 2004.

Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, December 24, 2003 at 12:47 PM (EST)
My Score:

This was a really nice suprise,very good-oldpunker-

Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, December 24, 2003 at 10:20 AM (EST)
My Score:

http://www.newmexicandisastersquad.com/news.htm

Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, December 24, 2003 at 12:04 AM (EST)
My Score:

fuck the oscars and the media too...really good record. possibly between 11-20 on top albums of 2003.

Ramo

Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, December 23, 2003 at 11:29 PM (EST)
My Score:

What reviewer here doesn't sit on an 8ft dildo to write reviews????

Posted by notfeelingcreative on 2003-12-23 22:30:39
My Score:

Hell Yeeeeah, hometown boys kickin' ass wit'da 80's style hardcore!!

Posted by skankin_in_the_pit on 2003-12-23 20:21:45
My Score:

I just got this today, and it is really good. It sounds like an early 80s hardcore record. Good review.

Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, December 23, 2003 at 6:43 PM (EST)
My Score:

then you my friend, are gay.

Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, December 23, 2003 at 5:59 PM (EST)
My Score:

This band is officially my favorite "new discovery" of the year. Hands down.

-sickboi

Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, December 23, 2003 at 4:20 PM (EST)
My Score:

I haven't heard this whole record yet, but the songs I have heard are definitely better than the bad metalcore that scenesters seem to be gorging themselves on lately; NMDS is a lot closer to what hardcore was in the glory days
-notaclevername

Posted by inagreendase on 2003-12-23 15:30:40
My Score:

good review. I'll be checking them out on the A-F / Rise against tour...

A-F Records is like this undiscovered punk gold mine right now, but with little chance of their bands gaining mainstream recognition. That's one good status.