The Queers - www.thequeers.com
Munki Brain (released 2007)
Asian Man Records - www.asianmanrecords.com
Delivering on their standard of upbeat, fun and catchy punk rock, The Queers latest release is nothing short of one of the best albums of all of 2007. Offering up thirteen tracks in about a half hour, you get the expedience of a great punch of punk rock, but the upbeat, bouncy sounds present the pop side of the band's influence. And those influences stand out quite clearly throughout the entire album... The Beach Boys and the Ramones. That's pretty much the extent of what's happening on Munki Brain. I really got a lot of respect for Joe and gang, these guys have kept things DIY throughout their entire career. I mean these guys could easily pack a medium sized venue in our hometown, but instead they choose to pack the basement bar of Bernie's (Bernie's is even credited in the liner notes). I've heard stories that the band changes a flat rate for playing shows wherever they go, that's punk! No riches here, just pure pleasure form the music and playing it loud! What a great bunch of guys! As for the individual tracks on here... From the opener "Overdue" with it's plea towards a love lost, "I Think She's Starting To Like Me," well this subject is clearly defined, and "I Can't Stay Mad At You," again no explanation really required...the predominant subject matter here is girls. That's a long standing object of the Queers affection and catalog, this album doesn't fail to deliver more great sing-along tunes about the fairer sex. The Queers don't just sing about girls on here though, there are some other real standouts "Houston We Have A Problem," a faster catchy punch in the face, about, well, darn near everything that's going on in the band as of late. Friends of the band, or maybe acquaintances, are not off limits either "Duke Kahanamoku" and "What Ever Happened To Philthy Phil" are a couple of tracks that had me hitting the repeat button, just great rhymin' and surfy guitar work here. The Queers round out the disc with two great tracks "Monkey In A Suit," an homage to our terrific current president (the inserted audio quips from GW are great), and "Brian Wilson," a kinda sorta praising and razing of Brian Wilson, perhaps the one biggest influences on the band. Fans of solid underground punk rock know of The Queers, so there's no sense in enticing this record to them, because in all likelihood they were waiting on this album... Those that will certain find this album entertaining, are the snobs out there that think that nothing good can come from punk rock. The Queers have shattered that mentality long ago, but this record clearly re-enforces the appeal of punk to the uninitiated. "Munki Brain" is a fantastic release, from a stunningly successful and incredibly down to earth band, that should not be overlooked by anyone. -MG |
