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Snitches Get Stitches

I Liked You Better When You Were A Corpse
2005
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Snitches Get Stitches - I Liked You Better When You Were A Corpse (Cover Artwork)

Review by: Toby_at_Fat
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Published on March 4th 2005

I was excited to see that Empty Records was releasing some new shit and the samples I had heard from Snitches Get Stitches sounded promising. I remember this label fondly as they were responsible for releasing all the great records from Sicko, and they were an important band to my little South King County punk rock upbringing. The good news is that Empty has another hit on their hands, and even better news to some is that they sound nothing like Sicko!

One of the first things I read about these guys described them as LA math meets NYC art-rock. Talk about a turnoff! Shit, they may as well have added terms like white power, Omaha, screamo, and worst of all: straight edge. But I wouldn’t be writing this review if there was any LA math or NYC art rock involved, so breathe easy; there is none. That description is all-too-fitting for another Seattle band: the Blood Brothers. Don’t get me wrong, the Blood Brothers are cool and all, with their haircuts inspired by Juventus circa ’02, and their home-made purses and handbags sold at the merch table (which I have purchased, thank you). Snitches are not anywhere near as challenging as BB; their brand of rock was surprisingly accessible, melodic, and straightforward. These two bands are like sushi, ya dig. The Blood Brothers are that weird thing that expert sushi eaters insist upon eating even though there’s no big payoff, whereas Snitches Get Stitches are your tasty California Roll but delivered with some serious Wasabi for that added sinus-clearing punch. Oh, there’ll be more bad analogies. Another thing I read compared them to fellow Washingtonians Federation X, but that was also thrown right out the window upon the first listen. Sure, maybe I can’t write a record review, but look at all misinformation I’m up against! What you need to know is that these guys straddle the sub-genres and blend traditional indie rock with punk and hardcore. For a three-piece they have a lot going on; it’s noisy rock with ample vocal trade-offs and lots of feedback, but it’s never sloppy. It’s a very aggressive record that harkens back to the days when Amphetamine Reptile was a flourishing label. Hot damn, anyone remember AmRep? That was before the trite and tired screaming vocal styles found among every hair band in the scene today. Sigh…

I’m especially hesitant to liken Snitches to other bands because I’m treading in some unfamiliar musical waters here. But lack of knowledge on any subject has never really silenced my opinion before, so fuck it! I think it’s safe to say they’re heavily influenced by the Northwest — bands like Unwound and Fitz Of Depression for example — but Hot Snakes may be the most contemporary act to draw comparisons to. And while I’m name-checking every band possible because I don’t have the powers of articulation to explain what this record sounds like, inhale, I should throw in that my girlfriend thinks they sound like Cursive. Is this helping at all? Let’s move on.

The production is just right for these dudes, handled by DIY legend Conrad Uno. This is a band that sounds both dirty and furious and that has been captured seamlessly without compromising sonic quality. Put simply, it just sounds right. In addition, there are some wacky samples between a couple songs that really accentuate the transitions and bring some ambiance to the record…okay, that was a pretty fruity sentence, but honestly, the production also offers some neat bells and whistles that are an added highlight of the overall package. Kudos to Conrad for his work here.

Well, it’s not all candy and nuts. I was a bit disappointed with the artwork because it was like a two-panel booklet with no lyrics. In this day and age, bands need to do a better job of providing some value with their product, and skimping on the content is a bummer from a fan’s point of view. It’s worsened because I really feel like Snitches probably have a very provocative message, especially with hilarious song titles like “Release The Kraken” and “Ninja Please.” Aside from the fact that there’s already a glut of (shitty) bands out there, it’s easy enough to download records, and you can’t blame people if you don’t make much of an effort. My point is, if you were to get this on iTunes, you wouldn’t be missing out on any kick-ass packaging.

But we can’t end on that note, especially considering this is my favorite new record and it’ll likely make my year’s best list. It’s dangerous yet intelligent rock, and made more refreshing because it sits so awkwardly among the current musical trends. I look forward to seeing them live in some shitty SF club, and I know when I do there won’t be a single Taking Back Sunday shirt in sight. Sweet, sweet sanctuary.

Non-believers should begin by checking out songs like “Koala Stars” or “I’ve Got A Thing For Violets.”

MP3s
Snitches Get Stitches - Koala Stars
Snitches Get Stitches - Ninja, Please.

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Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, November 10, 2005 at 3:13 PM (EST)

"What the fuck ? Straight edge being worse than White Power ? So not doing drugs and casual sex seems worse than racism ? Boy, are you are prejudiced prick. And drop the "wannabe celeb-status" will you, it doesn't fit you."

May I suggest a sarcasm tuneup to ye?

Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, November 1, 2005 at 3:24 AM (EST)

What the fuck ? Straight edge being worse than White Power ? So not doing drugs and casual sex seems worse than racism ? Boy, are you are prejudiced prick. And drop the "wannabe celeb-status" will you, it doesn't fit you.

Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, March 22, 2005 at 6:35 PM (EST)
My Score:

This rocks.

Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, March 10, 2005 at 10:44 AM (EST)

"Hardline straight edge vegans are probably the worst people ever."

So says my Abalienation 7":

"what is the difference between nazi germany and DC hardline?"

"At least those germans enjoyed fine beer!"

Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, March 9, 2005 at 11:36 AM (EST)

that sounds like as good a comparison as any. i'll second that and add jehu/pitchfork.

Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, March 8, 2005 at 10:23 PM (EST)
My Score:

Im hearing Akimbo meets Blood Brothers meets the Bronx

Posted by 1234go on 2005-03-07 22:06:07

More like Toby Back Fat! Ba-zing!

Posted by Anchors on 2005-03-06 14:08:37

Hardline straight edge vegans are probably the worst people ever.

Posted by Jesse on 2005-03-05 17:08:29

sickboi –

Dude, exact comment I was going to make.

But yeah, pushing your personal lifestyle choices on someone else is dumb, and this band is pretty good.

Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, March 5, 2005 at 11:27 AM (EST)

"and i personally have been turned on to this record, isn't that ok? sheesh."

ewwwwwwwwww

Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, March 5, 2005 at 8:30 AM (EST)

what's up with the celeberity status of the reviewer? can't you just read it and go from there? it's such a soap opera on here! it's just music folks, and i personally have been turned on to this record, isn't that ok? sheesh.

Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, March 5, 2005 at 4:46 AM (EST)

Yeah, pretty much. I know you weren't asking but IHOP is fucking rank. Absolutely sickening. I had to get that off my chest. Phew.

-thirtyseconds (needing a shit too much to log in)

Posted by iheartadam on 2005-03-05 02:55:57
My Score:

"Straight edge is worse than white power? News to me."

Well, I'd lump it all in one general catagory. Anytime somebody tells you what their lifestyle preferance is, on any level, when you weren't asking...yeah I'd say they're all just as bad.

Vegans, Straight Edge, WP, Punx, Skinhedz, Yankees Fans, IHOP Waitresses, Fat Mike..wait.....yep.

Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, March 5, 2005 at 12:28 AM (EST)

fuckin all journalistic and shit. color me interested. quality.

Posted by 1234go on 2005-03-04 22:07:24

yeah toby you're a dick. You straightedge hatin, hypocritical girl yeller at'er. Not only are you frontin'...but now you're trippin. Damn

Posted by Anonymous on Friday, March 4, 2005 at 10:07 PM (EST)

These songs are pretty good. I'm sold.

Posted by xWileyx on 2005-03-04 20:39:33
My Score:

wow this pretty good stuff...

Posted by xWileyx on 2005-03-04 20:36:06

I did not know that not doing drugs and treating your body right was such a turn off and that it definitely matters if a band is sxe or not. I'm kidding but If from one side your mouth you talk about being open minded and all about equality than from the other you trash talk people based on the reason that they respect thier body you are very foolish.

Posted by Anonymous on Friday, March 4, 2005 at 3:43 PM (EST)

Are you sure it wasn't Conan O'brien with a brown wig? Because he and toby get mixed up a lot.

Posted by Toby_at_Fat on 2005-03-04 14:12:08

Yelling? With the exception of my Sunday's on the pitch, I'm not a big yeller. It's possible my boss left me off a guest list. I mean he's so busy filling mailorder, maintaining the servers, receiving shipments, and booking shows that things are bound to slip through the cracks.

Posted by Anonymous on Friday, March 4, 2005 at 12:44 PM (EST)

hey toby, yell at any girls lately because your boss forgot to put you on a guest list?

Posted by Anonymous on Friday, March 4, 2005 at 12:37 PM (EST)

an idiot review from an idiot reviewer. toby, you are a dick.

Posted by Anonymous on Friday, March 4, 2005 at 12:31 PM (EST)
My Score:

Great band and great titles. Very complex hardcore with some melody thrown in. Good stuff.

Posted by Anonymous on Friday, March 4, 2005 at 12:20 PM (EST)

Way to get my hopes up Toby! This isn't on iTunes -- However, some band, The Ritchie Whites has an album dawning this group's name.

heh.

Very nice review though!

- Kirby

Posted by moneenerd on 2005-03-04 10:14:11

worst band/album names ever since Rival Schools stole both their name and album title from a really bad Capcom video game.

Snitches Get Stitches... Sounds like a FSF tune.

Posted by Anonymous on Friday, March 4, 2005 at 9:18 AM (EST)

Too bad they don't sound like Sicko.

Posted by Anonymous on Friday, March 4, 2005 at 9:03 AM (EST)

great band name, horrible band. it had so much potential.

Posted by sickboi on 2005-03-04 08:46:04

They should have named themselves "Bitches Get Stitches".

Posted by thirtyseconds on 2005-03-04 06:10:23
My Score:

Oh. And score is for the similarity to the title of Fightstar's new CD. Avoid like bum sex with Ron Jeremy.

Posted by thirtyseconds on 2005-03-04 06:06:04

Straight edge is worse than white power? News to me.

Posted by Anonymous on Friday, March 4, 2005 at 4:40 AM (EST)

"Well done. Somebody hire this guy!"

Sure thing Fat Mike...wink wink

Posted by Anonymous on Friday, March 4, 2005 at 3:38 AM (EST)

Well done. Somebody hire this guy!

Posted by LMChc on 2005-03-04 03:29:41

kudos to the sushi analogy

Posted by Anonymous on Friday, March 4, 2005 at 1:55 AM (EST)

I like the Blood Bros... I like Cursive... I like the MP3's.... I like your review... As soon as I hit post I'm off to the lable to buy this. They should prolly give you some commission on this.

Posted by hubitcherkokov on 2005-03-04 01:00:25
My Score:

Awesome, well-written review. The songs don't sound bad either.

Posted by Psychoos231 on 2005-03-04 00:46:39
My Score:

I'm not into the Blood Bros but S&S are pretty good. nothing new but good.

Posted by TheOneTrueBill on 2005-03-04 00:33:38

This isn't The Stitches

Posted by joeg on 2005-03-04 00:31:49
My Score:

Interesting. I've decided I like it. Good job toby.

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