Punknews.orgPunknews.org Logo
Review Navigator

BackForward

Features

 

Contests

 




Reviews

Bad Religion - New Maps of Hell (Deluxe)

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:
Akimbo - City Of The StarsThe Icarus Line - Penance SoireeThe Velvet Underground - The Velvet UndergroundAnimal Collective - Sung TongsLords - SwordsBrian Costello - The Enchanters vs. Sprawlburg Springs [book]Akimbo - Forging Steel and Laying StoneThe Sword - Age of WintersMaritime - We, The VehiclesCougars - Pillow Talk



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.

    Posted by Anonymous on Friday, August 20, 2004 at 1:06 AM (EDT)
    My Score:

    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

    Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, August 19, 2004 at 6:24 PM (EDT)
    My Score:

    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.

    Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, August 19, 2004 at 1:20 AM (EDT)
    My Score:

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

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

    Posted by FortyMinutesWest on 2004-08-18 19:52:33
    My Score:

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

    Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, August 17, 2004 at 8:22 PM (EDT)
    My Score:

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

    -BSD

    Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, August 17, 2004 at 7:21 PM (EDT)
    My Score:

    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