THE TRANSITIONS - "THE TRANSITIONS EP" (Waving Dark Punk from Melbourne, Australia. Released via "REBEL SOUND MUSIC" as a 7'' vinyl EP in 2014.)

THE TRANSITIONS - "THE TRANSITIONS EP"

("REBEL SOUND MUSIC"; 7'' vinyl EP)

(Collector informations: Limited to 500 copies worldwide = 200 copies in black; 200 copies in oxblood vinyl, it's the Band Exclusive Pressing; 100 copies in transparent Coke bottle green vinyl, it's the "REBEL SOUND MUSIC" exclusive pressing.)

(Running time: Four songs in eleven minutes.)
(Acknowledgement: One more time again a big THX goes out to Brett Hole/"BLACKHOLE RECORDS" for sending me the album for reviewing it.)

Okay, here's the first release of this still pretty new young band, THE TRANSITIONS, from Melbourne, Australia in which no one else than Al from the mighty MARCHING ORDERS and RAZOR CUT sings, all brought to us by the sympathic guys in "REBEL SOUND MUSIC". But if you know impose your hands in joyful anticipation of another load a great Oi! Oi! Oi! music roaring out from the cold concrete of the streets down under than I have to disappoint you here and now, because THE TRANSITIONS are something very if not completly different. They were formed in 2012 and here they deliver us their so far first ever release and they serve us four songs of a classic or Old School sort of Dark Punk Rock music with a to me sort of waving tendency and also with a sort of Pre-Punk music approach to it, all done very fresh and surprisingly alive-lively. The promo sheet names bands like JOY DIVISION, THE DAMNED, THE BUZZCOCKS, WARSAW, ACCENT (the ones from the U.K.), THE CHAMELEONS, BOYS NEXT DOOR, WIRE, and also TSOL as well as in general late 1970's and early 1980's Punk, Post Punk, and in general 1980's Down Under Rock and Pop music as influences and the forces behing THE TRANSITIONS, hm, and even I am honestly not that familiar with all the named bands I can easily underline the general proposition of this words as well as I can also easily underline that bands like JOY DIVISION, THE DAMNED, THE BUZZCOCKS, and TSOL are clearly influences of THE TRANSITIONS, at least (also) from my point of view. I would enrich it with expression straight and direct that the music of THE TRANSITIONS offers a pretty cool waving vibe due to the pretty laid back and very soulful and playful guitar playing that in its best and strongest moments even comes close to what the god-like NEW ORDER celebrated on their later/late works (just listen to the breath-taking heartfelt and soul- as well as playful guitar work of the from my point of view by far most strongest track "NO MORE YESTERDAY" here on this album and you should easily get it), as well as a very dark and sort of desolate atmosphere and character of the music of THE TRANSITIONS that puts it clearly near to bands like the already mentioned JOY DIVISION, just as an example. Beside the already mentioned sort of waving guitar work prepare yourself for the strong charismatic snotty sort of melancholic lead vocals, and great in time and precise working rhythm section. The songwriting differs nicely between more waving ("WAITING FOR THE MAN", and the mighty "NO MORE YESTERDAY") and more Punkrock styled ("SHOUTING AT SILENCE", and "LIVE FAST, DIE YOUNG") songs and stays so pretty fresh and entertaining over all the time, while I have to admit that I clearly and definitely like the more waving songs far more, but that's maybe just a matter of my personal taste and says maybe more about it than about the quality of the songs, who knows, anyhow, who cares... I would wish that the band would work more on a more focussed and decisive approach and then we will see to where the journey leads them. A nice surprise anyhow, an interesting listen as well, and a solid release which makes it a good starting point and a good debut album. If you have a faible for the mentioned bands and styles of music then give them a spin, could be worth your time. Good lyrics, a not ugly but somehow pretty lame artwork, and a strong production sound we get on top of it all. Check it out, and then decide for yourself. /// Andy

(Rating: 7 of 10 points)

(Label site: http://rebelsoundmusic.limitedrun.com/)

 

 

 

 

... i'm a stranger to the new world, i'm a stranger to myself... but i'll never let you down again...

MARCHING ORDERS - "DAYS GONE BY" ("LONGSHOT MUSIC"/"CONTRA RECORDS"; LP + CD):

Here it is, finally, the full length a lot of guys- incuding me- used to wait for. Since some years Australia is going damn fucking strong when it comes to Bootboy music, just to name MOUTHGUARD (check also the interview with them here on this very blog), BULLDOG SPIRIT, SLICK 46, THE CORPS, PLAN OF ATTACK, *R*U*S*T*, THUG, and this guys here, the great MARCHING ORDERS. After several 7", 10", sampler appearances and split releases they finally give us here their full length bomb called "DAYS GONE BY". And what shall I say, I was expecting much, my expectations couldn't be much higher... and MARCHING ORDERS couldn't done more to justify them completly and totally. Hard hitting, very sharp played, traditional not retro Oi! Oi! music of the premium class. Pushing, hard, yet very melodic (great leads) and relaxed (in a good way, for sure) rockin' guitar playing, powerful and beautiful present popping bass work, the drums are given the songs an irresistible Skinhead Rock & Roll beat, cool sing a long parts and crew shouts, and damn charismatic melodic and smart vocals with an awesome and fuckin' cool broad accent. Just great, traditional brewed Oi! music with some very nice Pub spirit to it, given a fuck about your oh so loved clichès, and yeahr, given a fuck about being retro, that's really fresh and new music, so fuck all the old fat english men who still think they would be playing the only legal version of Oi! Oi! music even in 2010. Instead give this Down Under Roughnecks a good round and you'll see and hear what traditional british bred Oi! in 2010 could be if you just allow him to be it, fuckin' great music!!! Full of energy, passion, devotion, dynamic, and real and authentic attitude, and that's making it all so goddamn sympathic on top of it all, no artificial crap and no bullshit what-so-ever, just pure and great music that you shouldn't miss. The pure impact!!! Point and fact!!! Ah, and with the phenomenal "YEARS PASS ME BY" we do also get close to the end of this great record also something really unique. You always asked yourself how U.S. Westcoast Melodic Punk would sound played by an traditional Oi! band?!? Yeahr, listen here, it sounds great!!! (Even if you don't had asked yourself this question, what may could be, take a good listen to the song, it rulez!!!) This is a record that you really 'NEED!' to call your own if you're in anyway involved in Skinhead music at all!!! Ah, the record came out as good old holy vinyl coming in an awesome and just beautiful big package of artwork (hm, 'big package of artwork'... hm, I think you know what I mean... or at least I do hope so, haha;-)...), and the CD vesion you do get for free on top of this 'mega package'. And yes, the artwork just looks great, especially the cover. Also the dirty and organic production sound is just pure solid gold, thumbs up!!! On top pf it all we do also gt a big bunch of just great lyrics that are covering also some good and different topics and dealing with several issues, again: Thumbs up!!! Just a complete package!!! Guys, get this record!!! Now!!! It's an order!!!! Cheers & Oi! (10 of 10 points)

(http://www.myspace.com/marchingorders)

It's been quite a while now since I've posted for you the last video clip to watch, just because I was a little bit fed up with 'mistakes-messages' making the whole upload process here to a farce and just eaten my time away... but oky, I've tried it once again and this time it had worked out like it should (or at least I do think currently right so;-)...), and so now you'll get a nice video of the great MARCHING ORDERS playing their 'old' classic "NIHILISTIC", and yeahr, it's just great!!! So enjoy it!!! Here it comes:

MARCHING ORDERS - "NIHILISTIC"