AUTISTIC YOUTH - idle minds

An absolute treasure! I've really been digging this band for the last couple of years since they do the moody punk thing so well without trying to copy the WIPERS (like so many others can't seem to help but do). AUTISTIC YOUTH are a bit faster and snottier than some other Northwest bands, yet they toss an infectious melody into the mix that makes their songs so listenable and memorable. NO HOPE FOR THE KIDS comes to mind as having a similar type of approach. And now this new album seriously steps it up a notch and i can say without hesitation that this is way better than the excellent LANDMINE BEACH LP. IDLE MINDS finds the band perfecting melody but still retaining punk attitude and cool lyrics. There's a bit of an early DAG NASTY sound at times, and at others the catchiness of a band like the OBSERVERS. Excuse me while I flip this over for the third time... (BG) - MAXIMUM ROCK'N'ROLL