Some labels endlessly submit lackluster material for review, seeking abuse like some attention-starved teenager. But the folks at Dead Beat continue to impress with disc after disc of stripped-down, trash-the-joint rock'n'roll sporting just enough edge to quell those feelings of "been there" and "done that".

First off, this band's name is a classic, even if they aren't referring to the snipers in Montgomery County, Maryland a couple of years back that had DC residents hiding under their cars while pumping gas (but I'm sure they are). These guys shouldn't have any trouble gaining notoriety with such an arresting name.

Musically, NJ's DC SNIPER crash through eleven tracks of tight, muscular anthems recalling late-70s four chord barbarians like THE HEARTBREAKERS and ATM-style noodle wavers like THE LOST SOUNDS. The disc is peppered with moments that hint at classic pre-punk slop of (oh, yeah!) ROCKET FROM THE TOMBS. The SNIPERS seem to cook best when charging like a freight train through throbby bass 'n drum groovers like "Electric Chair From Saigon" and "ADF" (which upon first listen sounds like a cover of THE RAMONES' "Commando"). Chris' coyote howls and weird anti-croons crisscross with driving basslines and kooky keys, like your favorite '77 platter reflected in a funhouse mirror. "Straight Razor" may alienate the purist slightly with it's bizarre BOWIE/QUEEN "Under Pressure" vibe, but by the time you get to the finale, "All Humans Are Garbage", you'll have cleared away a special spot next to the Chapstick in your dashboard console for this puppy. It's hard-drivin', primitive, and just weird enough to make it a keeper.

- Marchman

OFFICIAL SITE: myspace.com/thedcsnipers

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