THE BRIEFS
Hit After Hit (Dirtnap)
Reviewed by Jason Thornberry

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In remembrance of the late Joey Ramone my friend Dave has worn a Rocket to Russia shirt every single day since at the record shop he runs. He’s recently alternated it with one that simply says their name inside a presidential seal. I love the Ramones as well, and was surprised to see that a band called The Briefs had recorded an entire album in solemn memoria of our hero.

Well played, tuneful songs here, but how tired and played out is a musical style allowed to get before it’s finally given up in shame? Hello?

Their bio calls them "New Wave with bite." Yeah, they bite, alright. They’re biting pretty hard on the thirteen Hits here. Late 70s/early 80s four-chord British and New York "Whoooa-yeah!" punk gets drug from it’s karaoke confines, dusted off, and resuscitated with some hasty "hopefully-you’re-too-young-to-remember-this-stuff" bravado. Only thing is, The Ramones did it so much better. Same goes for the Weirdos, who’s whole M.O. also gets buggered shamelessly and without mercy by The Briefs.

I think my friend Dave would be offended by Hit After Hit. I know I was. Take those cheap sunglasses off, guys, and you might notice that music has actually moved on. You just look dorky. Why on earth would I buy a low-rent version of something I can probably find used in Dave’s shop?

Why does this band even exist?

© 2001 - Jason Thornberry