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Rating: The proposal from The Criminals is simple and straightforward, a Californian band active from '94 to 2000. Some appearances and several 7'' in mid-level compilation and labels (Lookout! Rec) at the beginning, a career end with ups and downs on the questionable Adeline Rec. (run, as is known, by the even more questionable Billie Joe Armstrong).
Everything would suggest the classic Californian goofballs playing easy Fat Wreck-style stuff, or even worse from americanpiesoundtrack, but instead we are dealing with more than a respectable band, with an at least curious style, they actually borrow a bit from the contemporary sounds of the time (especially Rancid), though (less pronounced) from late '70s bands.
In this second studio album, "Burning Flesh And Broken Fingers" (released in 1998), besides this curious mix and the cool cover, they provide several good cues, starting with some (rare but excellent) raw and powerful peaks (above all "Fuck You All", and "The Angry Quija Board Has Sent Us to Destroy the City of Berkeley California So Run For Your Fucking Life"), a songwriting-concept that is at times crazy, sometimes "funny" a bit in the noFX style, which much of the album revolves around, (from fetishism quotes, to the peculiar "You Were Cute But You Got Ugly Again", to the slightly predictable but direct anti-poser humor of "I'm Vintage Baby", and the quirky almost-country style of "Whiskey Business"). Secondly, the lead singer's voice Jesse Luscious is very appreciable, if only when he opts for a more powerful timbre (as on the venomous "State Sponsored Slaughter"), or drunkenly ("Union Yes", "Monomania"), as well as the never-too-present but functional backing vocals.
The riffing is good from Brady and Mike Sexxx, which adds something extra, (especially on the beautiful "Zarah’s Got a Brand New Bag", and "Scene Monkey"). The drummer Dan Ger's work is decidedly subdued, perhaps the only flaw for this honest Berkeley formation. Nonetheless, more than 20 respectable minutes for this band, a work that deserves due attention! 3.5.
Tracklist and Lyrics
01 The Angry Ouija Board Has Sent Us to Destroy the City of Berkeley California So Run for Your Fucking Life (01:46)
07 Union Yes (00:29)
Mother fuckin’ John Wayne!
Union!
Union!
Union!
You say you hate big business
That you get no respect
Your paycheck is short
And you get no benefits
Together we have power
Alone we have none
We do a thorough job
After work we go have fun (Union!)
You say we’re too expensive
But we’re trained to do it right (Union!)
The first time not the fourth time
So organize yourselves (Union!)
Start tonight
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