THE GAIN
A, B, C, D, & E (Slovenly Records)
Reviewed by Erick Mertz

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I've never been one for Spite and Malice, but it is my Mother's favorite card game. I'm more into money games, like rummy at a nickel a point or poker. There's nothing in the game of fast talking and hand slapping that intrigues me, but my senses tell me that the guys from the Gain are world class players. They likely play Spite and Malice all the time with the fast vicious reflexes necessary to win with regularity. None of the songs on their album are about card playing, but I think I'm onto something with this. The underlying message written in their sneering punk rock code is that these guys like to play Spite and Malice.

[Pick this up at www.slovenly.com.]

© 2003 - Erick Mertz