Sunday, January 31, 2010

Pollution - 120608 CS




Artist: Pollution
Album: 120608 CS
Release: 2009
Label: Vinyl Rites

Tracklist:

1. Upsidedown Trough [Live]
2. Failure [Live]
3. Black Commune [Live]
4. tiny.black.burns [Live]
5. drop.die [Live]
6. Reds [Live]
7. Fuck Hope [Live]
8. The Crazy Girl (Black Flag)
9. Familiar And Plain (Honor Role)


Pollution is back in a big way with this cassette, which consists of a live documentation of their insane live show and two covers on the flipside. First off, while minimal, the packaging on this release is still very impressive and continues the winning streak of quality releases from Florida's Vinyl Rites.

While this tape does somewhat function as a stop-gap release between their last two tape and vinyl releases and their upcoming stuff (which will be amazing!), it's still great. While obviously not the same as being there, the live set captured on the A-side "120608" is great. The set list is strong and the sound quality good. They also keep things around fifteen minutes, so it never becomes stale. Also, and maybe this is just the quality of the recording at play, but the sporadic clapping in between songs from the potentially-confused audience is pretty funny. That's just my interpretation, though. They probably loved it!

The real reason to check out this tape, though, is the B-side, humorously entitled "Copyright," which consists of two covers. The first of their covers is "The Crazy Girl" by Black Flag. It's not surprising at all that a band that has been described as sounding like, among other bands, later-era Black Flag, would cover them. Also, I bet at least half of these dudes saw them play this song live, so they've earned it, baby. The cover is slightly faster than the original and consists of both reverbed vocals and a little more riffing, branding it with the Pollution stamp. The second cover is "Familiar And Plain" by the Richmond hardcore band Honor Role. To be honest, I had never even heard of this band, but when I saw them play this song live I was absolutely blown away by the heaviness. While the studio recording doesn't capture that raw energy, it's still incredible and might be my favorite of the two covers.

There aren't many copies left if you're not an NYC-resident, so be sure to order from Vinyl Rites ASAP. Also, get stoked for future releases. I know I am.

Download Here
Buy Here

-Adam

11 comments:

JB said...

The blog Shiny Grey Monotone posted an Honor Role album a few weeks ago. I thought it sounded pretty cool. Check it out.

radioactive said...

Here are those two covers at slightly better quality. [not ripped from the tape]
familiar and plain
http://www.mediafire.com/?trmelmzzo3z
the crazy girl
http://www.mediafire.com/?utnemymmtuy

best,
radioactive

icoulddietomorrow said...

I didn't rip the tape, I got the mp3s from Sean. Though, they were all in different qualities, so while the live set and "Familiar And Plain" were in 192 kbps, "The Crazy Girl" was a WAV, so I just converted it to 192 kbps for continuity.

-Adam

icoulddietomorrow said...

Thanks, though! I didn't want to sound like an ungrateful jerk.

radioactive said...

ah ok. that makes sense!
I didnt realize you got it from sean.
either way thanks for shining light our way.
-R

icoulddietomorrow said...

No problem, dude!

stevie said...

do you have sean's e-mail? wanted to get in contact with him.

icoulddietomorrow said...

email us and I can give it to you.

-Adam

icoulddietomorrow said...

JB - I will definitely check Honor Role out now. Thanks for the heads up.

-Adam

Sledge said...

The only band that matters in this age of awful hardcore.

Godfather said...

Yeah but can we even call this "hardcore" who honestly fucking cares what it is, all that matters is it's exceptional & i will back anything that has Ryan involved.