New Mexican Disaster Squad

New Mexican Disaster Squad: New Mexican Disaster SquadNew Mexican Disaster Squad (2003)
A-F Records

Reviewer Rating: 5

User Rating:

Contributed by: justin mc cray
(others by this writer | submit your own)
Published on December 23rd 2003Pop 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 anythin.

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

devianter (March 25, 2011)

fucking perfect

RobEG (December 19, 2004)

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.

Anonymous (March 31, 2004)

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.

Anonymous (December 30, 2003)

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.

Anonymous (December 30, 2003)

"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.

Anonymous (December 29, 2003)

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.

Anonymous (December 28, 2003)

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

Anonymous (December 28, 2003)

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

Anonymous (December 28, 2003)

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.!