The Phenoms

 The Phenoms deliver a relentless assault one might imagine would occur if the Stooges battled Guitar Wolf onstage. It's a frenzy that few bands can reach, let alone propel across an entire album. The two guitarists layer barely-tuned, double solos underneath singer John O'Halloran's Danzig-inspired yelp. Reflective lyrics center on down-to-earth laments and self-deprecating pleas for understanding. Sheer garage rock couldn't evolve this far, emo couldn't sack-up and yell this loud. Thanks for the lyric sheet, boys. "The Phenoms," you say? Well, playing fast, trashy belch n’ roll doesn’t really count as a ‘phenomenon’ in the same way as say, crop circles or the Spice Girls do, but let’s give it to ‘em anyway, since it rolls off the tongue nicely, just like a well-timed insult, or a drunken come-on. These Chicago-based bruisers play their own kinda punk-fueled, gasoline guzzlin’ flophouse garage rawk with a whole fatty liver’s worth of angry, backed-up bile. If you dig say, the Misfits AND the Sonics, and don’t mind the occasional hand-wringing sob-session, then check these flailers out. The Phenoms epitomize the city of Chicago. The way you might describe Chicago is the way you might describe the Phenoms' music: tough-as-nails, blue collar, and not to be f*@ked with. The Phenoms play smashmouth punk rock - nothing fancy, no finesse, just pure power, ferocity, and blood and guts fortitude. Their last album, Home Brain Surgery Kit, is a wall-to-wall pummel-fest that'll be way too much for the faint of heart to take. Those not fond of bone-jarring riffs, smoldering leads, mean-dude vocals, and breakneck drumming are advised to steer clear of this runaway train. Fans of old Chicago hardcore, barroom garage-punk a la Zeke/New Bomb Turks, blazing Motorhead thrash, or any combination of the three will groove to the Phenoms' onslaught. The group doesn't offer up many angular surprises or technological innovations. They just put the pedal to the metal and let her rip, but they are the rare band that can actually pull off that type of approach.

• http://www.beercanrecords.com