New releases last four weeks: Punk/Hardcore

Review: A live double album 2xCD + DVD combo from our sugar-coated punk heroes Buzzcocks, recorded at London's iconic Shepherds Bush Empire in 2003 whilst promoting their self-titled comeback album. Boasting new cuts from said LP such as 'Jerk', 'Wake Up Call', and, 'Driving You Insane', peppered amongst essential classics like 'I Don't Mind', 'Fast Cars', 'Ever Fallen In Love (With Someone You Shouldn't Have)?' and 'I Don't Know What to Do with My Life', this iteration of the group featured Tony Barber on bass and Philip Barker on drums, accompanying the late great Pete Shelley and the now-bandleader Steve Diggle. 32 doses of saccharine hooks, fuzzy guitars and powerpop punk beauty transmitted from over two decades ago directly to your ear canals.

Review: Los Angeles crusted hardcore bruisers CNTS delivered a venomous statement of intent with their beautifully titled 2019 debut full-length Cunts, but sadly only had a brief opportunity to tour in support of the project before the world closed its doors in early 2020. Unfortunately, any and all future plans would be put on hold following vocalist Matt Cronk being injured in a car crash which resulted in a surgical error leading to a paralyzed vocal cord. Though members turned to other projects whilst awaiting/praying for Cronk's recovery (both drummer Kevin Avery and guitarist Mike Crain are members of Retox with the latter also being part of the Mike Patton-fronted Dead Cross), it wouldn't be until the winter of last year that, against all doctor's predictions, Cronk's voice would return and with it, a bevvy of new gripes and grievances to expel. Sardonically titled Thoughts & Prayers, and receiving distribution through the aforementioned Mike Patton's Ipecac label, prepare for an even more depraved batch of jagged, fuzzed-out, cynical and severely pissed off hardcore headcavers.

Review: 'Who Killed Marilyn?' is an early track written by Glenn Danzig when he was with the Misfits. Originally recorded in 1979 with the Misfits but due to financial issues with pressing vinyl copies at the time, was then re-recorded again in 1991 and released under Glenn Danzig's name. An important song in the history of the legendary figure, this is the first time this single has been issued on the CD format. Also included is an additional version of each track remixed and remastered by Danzig himself.

Review: A bumper crop of oddities and deep cuts from UK Subs' bountiful back catalogue. From opener- a bizarre cover of Khachaturian's 'Sabre Dance' to 'NRA Jingle' a charmingly cringe jingle for Bay Area's New Red Archives label, the subs show their diversity, with the almost Cramps-esque warble of tracks like 'Motivator' giving way to the borderline emo thrash of 'Postcard from LA' and the outright weirdness of jangly sketches like 'Nico'. Definitely a must for any UK Subs enthusiast looking to triangulate the band's more well-known works!