Sign Language

I've got another artifact here from the time when extreme idealism was prerequisite for starting a hardcore band or label. "Sign Language" was a triple 7" box set compilation Allied Recordings put out in the early '90's. According to his blurb, Yates liked the result but hated the process of assembling this thing. Like many contemporaneous comps, it includes a ton of graphics and writing, and fairly diverse selection of music (for similar comps, go here and here). Most of the standout bands' material would be compiled elsewhere in later years, but this is a pretty awesome line-up in an equally awesome package. (Note: the records were mastered at a really low volume, so you'll have to crank up your stereo for this one).

Bands & Tracks:
1. Scarecrow- "Walls Of Vacaville"
2. Sawhorse- "Twice Removed"
3. Seein' Red- "Man-Trap"
4. Political Asylum- "Sentenced"
5. Spitboy- "Motivated By Fear"
6. 411- "Life Minus Me"
7. Christ On A Crutch- "Fish People"
8. Suckerpunch- "Pain Never Dies"
9. The Fixtures- "Support The Troops?"
10. Sleep- "Numb"
11. Econochrist- "18 And Free"
12. Jawbox- "Dreamless"

Sign Language

A Little Gender Bender

Depending on the way you experienced the nineties, this compilation represents either everything significant, or everything that sucked about that decade. "This Inheritance Must Be Refused" showcases a wide assortment of bands, artists, and writers of yester-decade who had something to say about gender politics. I have a soft spot for this era, and as whiny and "PC" as some lyrics and zines were, I find myself marveling at the experimentation that went on, as well as the almost obsessive DIY effort that went into many releases. That mania is ever-apparent on this one-sided 12" both musically and in the layout and content of the booklet (see scans uploaded below). As far as the bands go, this comp is worth the download simply because there's a One By One track on it, but Citizen Fish fans and Spitboy completists have a reason to get excited too! (The spoken-style vocals on Spitboy's track are a little unnerving, but I guess that's the point?!). An interesting, if inconsistent listen, and a quintessential artifact of a fast-fleeting moment in our history.

Here

Tracks:

1. The Ex- "Stupid Competitions"

2. Paxton Quiggly- "Breaking Free"

3. Spitboy- "Dysfunction II"

4. One By One- "Male Voice Choir"

5. Citizen Fish- "First Impressions"

6. Spork- "Held"

7. Dogfight- "Gender Bender"