Ok let's take a step back today and focus a minute on one of the most
underrated release of 2021 (or at least a release which didn't get the
deserved coverage outside of the German-speaking world). Let's talk about
Fix and their More is More LP (I'm gonna skip their 2019 self-titled 7" as most of their tracks are also on the 12").
Released on
Phantom Records, home label of the great
Schiach
and
Pisse
among
others, Fix features regulars from the German label who played in
Ex-White,
Sergeant Dennis,
Schiach
and others and who seem to be spread between Israel and Germany (the
album's been recorded in Tel Aviv)... Actually I would not be surprised if the
guy(s)/girl(s) behind Phantom were involved in this.
Let's not forget that the tape version of the album was released on
Kuba Salami.
While checking a few reviews about this album I've seen Dean Dirg mentioned a couple of times and it's true that when it comes to quality German fast punk these guys are at the top of the game (they totally blew me away years ago when I saw them live in Paris). But I wouldn't say that Fix is similar to Dean Dirg, ok they have the same kind of quite "clean and light" sound but even if they share (almost) the same name with one of the fastest first generation american hardcore punk band, they're far from being in the same kind of super fast punk shit as their compatriots.
More is More starts with a slow and dark synth intro which could evoke the beginning of a cheap vintage horror movie, the message is clear: what you're going to experience is an entertaining work of fiction and should not be taken seriously. Indeed Fix's tunes, made of biting guitars and very forward and in-your-face vocals switching between English and German, got titles like Basement, Not A Punk, Spazieren (Strolling), Baby I'm A Car or Super Garage Cocain Type which obviously express a kind of twisted sense of humour not without recalling the already mentioned Pisse.
 |
| artwork by Ricaletto |
But let's stop goofing around, I wouldn't want to look like I'm missing the point here: This album is very cool!
More is More is full of fun and catchy fast punk songs that will make your head bang and your mouth smile. Most tracks are less than one minute long so no time to get bored and just in case your ADHD would make you think of pressing "next" on your fucking smartphone, two synth interludes (based on the same kind of idea as the intro and the outro, yes that's the kind of record with an outro, dude) give you plenty of time to breath, make yourself a cup of fair trade coffee or a fucking quinoa salad before Sinn or Hot Pockets take your brain back to punk rock.
But don't get me wrong, even if the track structures look deliberately simple, these 11 songs (if you don't count the synth instrumental parts) sound different enough not to feel like enduring the same old worn out joke over and over again, it's really enjoyable I'm telling ya!
Anyway let's stop here, listen to More And More and have a look at the Phantom Records catalogue if you're not familiar with it, you may find a couple of fun stuff worth of your time and your lonely quinoa salad night.
N,J'Oi!
