I can’t decide whether to be upset that the Briefs are taking time off, or piss myself with glee that Briefs guitarist Steve E. Nix has provided another outlet with which to kick ass in the Cute Lepers.

I don’t have any idea how or why it took seven people to comprise the Cute Lepers, but I’m not going to complain because they rule anyway. The two songs on the Cute Lepers 7-inch offer a delicious taste of what’s to come, and depending on how cheap you are, come on black, white, blue, and clear vinyl.

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Side A belongs to “Terminal Boredom,” a tune that clearly bears the mark of the Briefs with a rock and roll inflection of handclaps, catchy repetition, pounding piano chords, and crass, youthful lyrics: "My head’s clean / The goo is on my sheets." All things considered, one of the best punk songs this year.

“Prove It” owns side B, with an `80s-dance-meets-Rolling-Stones vibe that somehow works under the musical genius of Nix. A jagged guitar lick carries the verse that builds into a nonsensical chorus that remains catchy even if I don’t entirely understand it: "Silly proof / It never fails / To prove that the world just don’t care / Silly proof but it’s a fact / Someday you’re gonna need the strength you lack." If there was ever a song that actually sounded right being faded out, “Prove It” is that song, as the sound drowns out with Nix whispering “Bang bang!”.

So after listening to the Cute Lepers numerous times, I’ve decided to let my beloved Briefs rest as long as I can still get my fill of power-pop-punk from Steve E. Nix and co. “Terminal Boredom” and “Prove It” will fit in with any music fan’s collection, and are a must for all Briefs addicts out there.