Archival, early 80s Boston recording that sits comfortably between the melodic energy of La Peste and the angular builds of Mission of Burma’s now iconic attack. The A-side presents a focused, tightly wound blast of nervous post-punk as satisfying as it gets. Rhyming FBI chief Melvin Purvis with “Sense of Purpose”? Sure, why not. The B-side is a break up lament that retains the same tools but slows things down enough to supply a counterpoint to the former tracks punch, yet still has plenty of action in the guitars. Originally released in 1981 on a cassette compilation, Art Yard finally get the single they deserved.

by STEVE LOWENTHAL on 9/1/2011 in Reviews | Tags: Art Yard, Ride the Snake