Fist City: Everything Is A Mess | Album Review

Out of the traps like a bloodthirsty greyhound, Fist City’s sophomore album is half rabid predator, half doe-eyed pet; a contradictory yet complementary combo that has helped the Alberta band develop an international fanbase in a whirlwind 18 months.

Aggressive and accessible, the opening salvo of Fuck Cops and Let's Rip exemplifies the four-piece's command of punk and garage rock that traces a line from The Wipers and The Urinals through Fugazi and Les Savy Fav.

Five industrial noise interludes take the sting out of the tale, otherwise it's a battleground of Kier Griffiths's impassioned wails, Brittany Griffiths and Ryan Grieve's tight rhythm section and Evan Van Reekum's skyscraper guitar that make the likes of Rats and The Smell such winning, wall-punching, anti-anthems. Original? Nope. Impeccably executed? Definitely.

[ fistcitycult.com ]