Angry Angles

Thumb typing this one from room 611 at the 21c Hotel in Cincy. Didn't
have time to specifically sit with a record this week, being in
Detroit for Stooges doc and book launch, but the shelves in the
Corridor provided this sparkle as I introduced the staff to Mabel.

I was hardcore into the Angry Angles when they were active, spending
way too much money and effort tracking down sleeve and vinyl color
variations for a band that didn't really seem to garner any attention
outside a small circle of a few hundred people. At that time it felt
like P-Trash ruled the world (I pined so HARD for their shit) and I
was excited about Jay and Alix's Shattered imprint. The mid-2000s may
very well have been my "on top of what's happening" heyday and I'm ok
with that.

Unfortunately, this is by no means an album. It is very clearly just a
collection of singles. At first this bummed me out, but then I
realized this was a SINGLES band. I shouldn't expect some sort of
cohesive, album-length statement. Instead the taut, brief punk
workouts here are celebrated for all those who never found the 7"s
originally. "Blockhead" still pops into my head about once a month, so
that is a testament to the staying power. The fact that the implosion
of this band led to the universally important "Blood Visions" album is
a-ok in my book. Those songs would've floundered if attempted by AA.

Side note: in some weird cult way, I imagine Jay Reatard will be the
one personality I've crossed paths with that will unexpectedly impress
people in twenty years. Much in the same way I'm still geeked anytime

I meet someone who was thanked on In Utero.