Review Of I Came, I Said, by The Heathers
Submitted By: my awesome sauce bf @musicfromthearchive!!!
Genres: Punk Rock, Riot Grrrl
Link 2 listen: https://archive.org/details/TheHeathers/01+Hitchhiker.m4a
The Heathers are not a band I had ever heard of, and they seem genuinely underrated in the truest possible point, in the sense that I cannot find anyone talking about them anywhere! Which is a damned shame, as this album is excellent. Riot Grrrl is an amazing scene, and this is one of the few projects in it i've heard that comes close-ish to a hardcore punk feel from time to time, particularly with the drumming, which sounds not dissimilar to some d-beat! that said, its not a hardcore record, it's very rooted in the sound of 90's punk rock, true punk rock, and as such, it successfully balances a pretty even amount of versatility that comes with a less abrasive sound, and a constant intensity. It's really good! t
the lyricism especially is noticeably Smarter than a lot of similar music, and is aided by an astounding vocal performance. Riot Grrrl as a genre pretty frequently has a leg up on a lot of Hardcore Punk and 90's punk rock, lyrically, I think, simply because of a performative "toughness" and parodic machismo in the scene at that time that is less prevalent now. it sort of limited the genre's range at that point. this is a lyrically angry and bitter and acerbic album, but in a versatile, complex, and very strong set of ways.
a couple of songs kind of fall a little flat for me, or more accurately, I guess don't click with me as immediately as some others, but to be incredibly fair... well, as far as I can tell it is the band's first (and only) release, and I just. really wish they were given the time to develop. they have a very unique and interesting sound that almost sounds like later post-hardcore, like title fight with better drums, and with time... its kinda upsetting to think how amazing they could be with a fuller and more realized sound? to me anyway, but i'm sensitive about things that may have been!
enjoyability: 9.5/10 (I love riot Grrrl and adore the hardcore influence. this is my personal extremely subjective rating)
accessibilty: 8.75/10 (immediately groovy, hypes you up and pisses you off and makes you feel like any good punk album should)
listenability: 8.95/10 (similarly, the music is very clearly done with lots of technical skill, thinking, and hard, hard work. v impressive stuff!)
songwriting: 10/10 (genuinely some of the funniest, smartest, strongest lyricism and best use of drums I've heard from a punk record)
sound: punk rock/10 (not super applicable... the production is nothing special, its not especially lofi either though... but I'm not complaining it doesn't really matter for the record)
cohesion: 7.5/10 (really the only weak point of the album for me at all, and 7.5 is still a good rating imo. it sound like they're still figuring out their sound, and while all the songs are very good in my opinion, the placement is not how I would have done it? the harem is a great fucking song, I would not have made it the closer though!)
favorite song: Pink (holy fuckk 10/10 track)
Final Rating: 8.94 but I'll call it a nine cuz I fucking love it!!!! falls under Strongly Reccomend, this band needs to get back together, I'll take my bf and well mosh like hell!
