INCH SCRAPER: HARDCORE 7″ REVIEWS OF SUCKED DRY, TRUTH INSIDE, AND YOUTH AVOIDERS

Musically, the tire treads on the straight-edge-youth-crew mobile are admittedly a bit thin these days. Worse still, dogmatic self-seriousness casts an ever-conservative pallor over even the good stuff. So the cheery cartoon art adorning Truth Inside‘s Best Times (Bottled Up Records) ran counter to my expectations. The content is overwhelmingly positive, with good vibes, PMA, and pep talks all over “Best Times” and “Perspective.” Skaters: stick around for the bonus cut.

Though the two labels behind Sucked Dry‘s self-titled debut (Pass Judgement / Eat The Life) want us to believe this is just some good ol’ fashioned Rorschach worship, such a simple selling point undermines the evident diversity of this Kansas City group. Sure, “Arachnophobia” fits that description, yet “Fever Dreams” has way more of modern weirdo hardcore punk vibe. “Placebo” recalls old Blacklisted or Ceremony back when they were still mean. Pigeonhole at your peril.

I want you to know I’m going to great lengths not to make any hackneyed French jokes when reviewing the latest from Lille’s Youth Avoiders. Time Flies (Build Me A Bomb) follows up their 2010 demo with some strong, snotty, quasi-melodic punk rock. “Run” sets shit off with some real momentum, followed promptly by the breakneck gallows humor of “Boredom Airline.” The second half gets super peppy, with “Red Eyes” in particular demanding repeat listens. Plus, I hear they love Jerry Lewis!

-GS