Punknews.org LogoPunknews.org

Sign In | create an account

 
Staff IconTwisted Roots - Twisted Roots (Cover Artwork)

Twisted Roots

Twisted Roots (2004)
Dionysus/Bacchus Archives

Reviewer Rating:


Contributed by: Jesse
(
others by this writer | submit your own
)


Published on August 17th 2004


According to the history included in the liner notes written by keyboardist and founder Paul Roessler, Twisted Roots was formed by him asking people he knew and saw in other bands to start a band with him. Through this he got together Pat Smear (ex-Germs), his sister Kira (now of Black Flag, dos fame), and few others to consummate his brain child that lasted from 1981-1983.

Most songs on this CD follow the early punk/synth pop formula while dabbling in some noisy experimentalism. This CD is heavy on synthesizer, since Roessler was the main songwriter. The guitar is loud and very rhythmic, while the bass is featured with killer riffs in songs like "Pretentiawhat" and "I Want to Be Trendy." There are a lot of gang vocals on this CD, but what really shines through is the snotty yell/shout of front-woman Maggie Ehrig.

The true appeal of this collection is diversity of the music. While songs like "The Yellow One" and "Snaked" could be seen as blueprints for modern synth-pop bands like The Anniversary, experimental noise songs like the big-tent circus march "Parade!" or the single note bass and noise freakout "Pretty Little White House" give the band a true punk rock attitude.

Lyrically, this band attacks issues like domesticism, atomic energy, sex, status-quo conformity, and pretentious intellectualism. Bottom line: if you like bands like The Germs or The Screamers, you should probably check this band out since it's part of the extended family. If you like experimental noise rock, you should probably check this band out. If you like synth pop, you should probably check this band out.



People who liked this also liked:
Jason Collett - Here's to Being HereThe Makai - The End of All You KnowWarren Ellis - Crooked Little Vein [book]Pretty Boy Thorson & the Falling Angels - Ain't It FunnyBlonde Redhead - 2331 Knots - The Days and Nights of Everything AnywhereOf Montreal - Hissing Fauna, Are You the Destroyer?The Brokedowns - These Colors Don't Run (The Musical)Joe Lally - There to HereTin Armor - A Better Place Than I Have Been

Please login or register to post comments.
What are the benefits of having a Punknews.org account?
  • Share your opinion by posting comments on the stories that interest you
  • Rate music and bands and help shape the weekly top ten
  • Let Punknews.org use your ratings to help you find bands and albums you might like
  • Customize features on the site to get the news the way you want.
    Anonymous (August 20, 2004)

    It's mostly mediocre quality live tracks, so I doubt you'd like it. It has I think 2 demo songs, and I don't know who to order it from. I found mine in an indie music store... Sorry, wish I could be of better help.

    -BSD

    Anonymous (August 19, 2004)

    BSD, any info. on that screamers boot would be helpful. I found some mp3's from them awhile ago but they were just crappy live recorded tracks, bad quality.

    Anonymous (August 19, 2004)

    This band was years before them, I think you're safe.

    And what does that say about your opinion of The Roots?

    FortyMinutesWest (August 18, 2004)

    I don't know if I can trust any band with a name so close to Rusted Root.

    Anonymous (August 17, 2004)

    Jason, I did a Screamers review of a widely released boot that you can probably still buy.

    -BSD

    Anonymous (August 17, 2004)

    From what ive seen from the screamers (which was a 30 second clip of vertigo) they seemed like an awsome band. Too bad they didnt get to record anything.
    -Jay-sin

    Features

    Exclusive Streams

    Newest Reviews

    Punknews.org Team

    Managing Editor

    Adam White

    News Editors

    Kira Wisniewski
    Brittany Strummer
    Andrew Waterfield
    Katy Hardy
    Matthew Baldwin
    Armando Olivas
    John Flynn

    Video Editor

    Chris Moran

    Social Media Editor

    Justin August

    Copy Editor

    Amelia Cline

    Reviews Editor

    Joe Pelone

    Interviews Editor

    Richard Verducci

    Publisher

    Aubin Paul

    ISSN 1710-5366



    © Copyright 1999-2012 Punknews.org



    Other Places to Go

    Punknews.org Flickr Pool