Sunshine, Lollipops, and Rainbows -- The Weekly Weather Forecast

Greetings, friends -- figured I'd pose a prank and come out of hiding for a moment, it being April 1st and all. And while some of the hijinks today will undoubtedly be worth a laugh, not much else has been lately.  For some reason, I've found myself more agitated than normal -- maybe it's just because Girls is ending... -- and as a result I've been listening to a bunch of loud, cranky punk bands to pass the time.  Three in particular have kept me company in this span, so wanted to share them before turtling back up and returning to the basement.

First up is the latest from the Orwells, the skate punks from back home who return with their third album, Terrible Human Beings. (Unclear if this is a joking reference to themselves or the people we're forced to listen to these days...) They've cleaned their sound up some in the three years since Disgraceland, but have also broadened it considerably -- there's glimmers of the Dandy Warhols in lead single "They Put a Body in the Bayou," the Strokes in "Vacation" and "Double Feature," the Pixies in "Creatures" and "Black Francis" (aptly referenced in the latter title), and sundry surf rock bands in the 1-2 of "M.A.D." and "Buddy." Frontman Mario Cuomo still sounds like the smartass mouthing off from the back of class, with the rest of the band gleefully chiming in as his misfit chorus as on songs like "Heavy Hand, "Ring Pop," and "Hippie Soldier," and it's tough to ignore.  That last track is the standout here -- bright, hooky guitars, sharp lyrics ("just because you took the easy way out/doesn't mean you know what you're talking about"), and a stop-start rhythm that gets you nodding along.  Another solid outing from top to bottom -- take a taste here:



The latter two are debuts from virtual unknowns, one a band from Oakland, the latter from Ireland, and the former's band name and album title will likely approximate your response to what follows -- "Nope(s).  Never Heard of It."  The two albums top out at just over an hour combined, but they deliver in impact what they lack in duration (just like my good ideas and amorous moments, I'm sure). At their best, Nopes call to mind early Jesus Lizard -- jagged, jugular slitting guitar riffs, punishing drums, and inscrutable lyrics. Similar to the aforementioned's David Yow, I couldn't tell you a single thing frontman Alex Petralia says here, but it doesn't matter -- it's all about feel. And what this evokes is pure frenzy -- 12 songs of fast, fist pumping glory.  There's barely a dud to be found -- "Screens," "2:59," "Cubes," and "Full Time Greeter" are all sub-two minute scorchers, while "Saigon/Stow," "Corners," and "3:00" stretch things just a hair longer without diminishing the thunder. "I Hate Living in the City" is the favorite, though -- it showcases everything the band does well in its brief two and a half minutes and I defy you to try and sit still.  Pure spitfire.



As for the lads from the Emerald Isle -- Galway's Oh Boland -- their debut Spilt Milk is quintessential UK punk -- brash, accented fuzzbombs of sneering guitar and vocals that knocks you back in your seat. It's another brisk 30 minute affair, the type of no frills, chaotic whirlwind that reminds you why punk can be such a thrill. There's a bunch of good tracks on here -- opener "Jane Russell" and "Oh the Flatlands" speed along on solid riffs, as do tracks like "Caller so Cold" and "Waiting on You." The best one to sample is "First Dog's Death," though -- simple, chunky guitar, half assed lyrics, and a steady 1-2 drum beat that drags you by the collar through its scant 140 seconds. Check it out here: