Destroy-Oh-Boy (Crypt)

New Bomb Turks

By Mark Clark

Writing a review seems like an altogether incorrect response to hearing the New Bomb Turks. Smashing furniture, starting a fistfight or screaming at the top of your lungs would be more appropriate.

The band's first full-length album isn't called Destroy-Oh-Boy for nothing. These guys are pissed. Their music is high-speed, tough-as-nails, adrenaline-powered thrash. It packs a visceral punch. And the louder you play it, the better it sounds.

Most of the album's 16 cuts are grit- your-teeth-and-bash rockers that appear to race with the speed of sound. It's all vocalist Eric Davidson can do to keep up with bandmates Bill Randt (drums), Jim Weber (guitar) and Matt Reber (bass).

Even the "slow" numbers here are galaxies away from ballads. They're grinding, funky numbers that recall early (pre-rap) Beastie Boys. Despite the superfast numbers' gut-level appeal, the slower cuts – including "Mr. Suit" and "I'm Weak" – prove to be the album's most satisfying, if only because it's easier to pick out the band's snide lyrics.

"I'm tired of being told what to think/ I'm tired of being told what to do/I'm tired of f–ing phonies/That's what I think of you," Davidson sneers in "Mr. Suit."

"Tattooed Apathetic Boys" is an interesting cut. It launches itself at top speed, slows down to a rump-shaking trot, speeds back up and slows back down again. Quite a workout.

The best of the fast tracks are probably "Up for the Downslide," which boasts a hook-driven chorus and "Dragstrip Riot," which features a maniacal, tortured-sounding fuzz guitar solo.

But what really makes this album special is that underneath all their blood-boiling speed punk riffs, the New Bomb Turks betray a certain vulnerability. Unlike, say, the Beasties, there's no macho posturing here. Song titles like "Hapless Attempt," "Tryin' to Get By" and "I'm Weak" tell the whole story.

Perhaps because of that, Destroy-Oh-Boy is uncommonly resonant. I've played the thing going on a dozen times now and come away with something new each trip.

One nit worth picking: This album is a measly 39 minutes long. It's hard to get too upset, however, because even 39 minutes of the New Bomb Turks is worth the price of a CD.