Right, so I'll be the first to admit I'm just as guilty as black metal folks who find that the fidelity of the recording is just as important as the actual music, lyrics, cover, whatnot.... it's just I'm that way about any kind of hardcore/punk/garage music. If it even smells like Pro Tools magic, I'm turned off.
Well, Keith Morris was supposedly set to record a new Circle Jerks album but the guy who signed on to produce the album started writing songs with Keith that were a bit more true to his real beginnings.
OFF! isn't 'reinventing the wheel' by any means but they're a breath of fresh air in the world of punk/hardcore where I rarely venture to these days. In short, this is probably the best thing Keith Morris could be capable of as this stage of his life.
The music sounds energetic and raw which are two of the most important elements to really taking a new release seriously when it comes to this genre. It's stripped down but just about as much as you would like for a project like this. Keith seems to be invoking Johnny Bob Goldstein much more than usual. The mix makes this release work. It evokes that feeling you get when listening to a Witchcraft, Graveyard or Horisont. They play the music of the period but the attention to proper recording insures the full, authentic experience (ie; Robert Johnson wouldn't sound as great through a million dollar Pro Tools rig and Lady Gaga probably wouldn't translate to a 78 record).
This is a really cool release if you were even remotely into the early days of Black Flag or even the Circle Jerks. The cool thing to me is it sounds like the perfect blend of both of those bands. And yeah, sure it's not the next frontier of punk rock but it's so nice to have something like this in the world where punk and hardcore have a tendency to sound slick as Steely Dan and the shine on the mixes almost burns you.
Granted there is a ton of great underground hardcore/punk across the globe but as far as what his contemporaries are up to these days, I think this is a hell of a good listen for anyone who has ever liked that no-frills, So-Cal, old school hardcore but with a true pioneer still at the mic. Give it a listen.
yeah was really diggin a youtube clip of this band. Havent seen this shit for sale anywhere though. Need to get it
I think they're about to release it (and the four 7 inchers) in a box set this month. Box set is probably around 15 bucks and comes with the digital download. Definitely picking that up. Hell of a deal, Raymond Pettibon does all their artwork.
sweet as. feel free to post a link if you see it for sale somewhere
http://www.facebook.com/notes/off/first-four-eps-vinyl-box-set-and-cassette-released-today/168404816531623 (http://www.facebook.com/notes/off/first-four-eps-vinyl-box-set-and-cassette-released-today/168404816531623)
Hope this helps. Looks great.
Just getting into these guys right now. Solid!
was listening to this yesterday. pretty good and so far playing it loud.
Been listening to this shit religously the last few weeks. New LP comes out soon.
I listened to this the other day. Sounds like 80s hardcore. That's all.
shit's goooood
This is one of those things I had no idea existed. Glad this thread is here, I'm digging this.
Really digging all of their shit right now.
anybody gotta link for their new record.
not surpisingly, googling off! off! isn't working out for me.
I wanna get Off! to.
Great album.