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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Moral Crux Puts Together Best From Eight-Year Punk Career

Joe Ehrbar Correspondent

Moral Crux

“Greatest Hits” - Monitor CD

Moral Crux is one of the Northwest’s pre-eminent punk bands. Over the last 10 years, the Ephrata/Moses Lake band has watched punk explode from a small underground movement to music’s soup du jour. All the while, the band has toiled in virtual obscurity.

Unknown maybe, however, Moral Crux should not be denied praise for its vast contributions. Over the years, the band has released scores of singles, four albums, a couple of EPs and have contributed songs to numerous compilations. Last year, Moral Crux appeared with such punk luminaries as Jawbreaker, the Queers, Screeching Weasel and FaceToFace on the “Punk USA” compilation on Lookout Records.

The band’s latest album, cynically titled “Greatest Hits,” features 22 songs from the past eight years. What’s most evident on this disc is that Moral Crux has never changed its approach. With the exception of the production quality, songs recorded in 1987 sound like songs recorded in 1993.

Moral Crux’s formula is simple: Melodic, pop-induced, punk rock a la the Ramones with a strong political voice. This makes “Greatest Hits” not only an enjoyable listen but a thought-provoking one as well. What’s also impressive about this album is the fact that songs recorded eight years ago remain just as urgent today as they did back then.

Although some of the material fails to capture Moral Crux’s go-for-broke live performance, it is extremely worthwhile and stands above much of the competition.

Something Blue

“Grey Reality” - self-released tape

I don’t really know where this trio is from. The liner notes lead me to believe Something Blue is either from Pullman or Moscow. It doesn’t really matter where. What’s important is that Something Blue is the only band of its type in the area. The synth-driven band is an architect of trance-inducing techno and bruising industrial music. Bands that quickly come to mind on this tape are Ministry, circa 1980s, and New Order. Because the vocalist often sings with an English accent, Something Blue sounds as if it could be from England.

Two of the tape’s eight songs, “Summer” and “Turn Around,” deviate from the other six in that they are both singer/songwriteroriented folk, a bit reminiscent of Toad the Wet Sprocket. Oddly enough, it works.

Clabberhag

“May I Be Frank?” - Nervous tape

Clabberhag hasn’t even been together a year yet, and already the band ranks as one of the best punk units on the scene. This all-girl force offers 12 frothing, primal, distortion-filled songs on its smashing debut. And greatness abounds throughout the tape.

One song in particular, “Friday Night Ritual,” stands out above the others. With lines like “Two hands/ wrapped around my neck” “What do you mean I asked for it?”, the song dredges up some chilling images of rape. Further, singer/ guitarist Carisse Cain drives the lyrics home with quite a wrathful delivery. Keep your eyes on this band.

National album reviews from Billboard

Ozzy Osbourne

“Ozzmosis” - Epic

The world’s maddest madman returns from a three-year hiatus with a monstrous album that shows he still rules the kingdom of metal. Featuring a lineup that includes longtime cohort Zakk Wylde on guitar and Ozzy newcomer Rick Wakeman (of Yes fame) on keyboards, “Ozzmosis” rocks unforgivingly from start to finish. Highlights include lead single “Perry Mason” (an album rock hit), anthemic “I Just Want You,” and ultra-heavy “Thunder Underground.” Impeccably produced by Michael Beinhorn, who manned breakthrough albums by Soul Asylum and Soundgarden, “Ozzmosis” attests to Osbourne’s relentless vitality and gives his fans a new reason to bark at the moon.

Smashing Pumpkins

“Mellon Collie And The Infinite Sadness” - Virgin

Rockers defy industry wisdom by issuing a two-CD set of new music. Happily, the collection suffers from few of the excesses that often plague double albums and rates high on the entertainment-value scale. The band has expanded its musical palette, employing colorful textures that set its sound apart from that of other guitar-based modern rock acts. Also, the Pumpkins have taken a more melodic songwriting approach, evident on such cuts as “Zero,” lead single “Bullet With Butterfly Wings,” “Cupid De Locke,” “We Only Come Out At Night,” and “Beautiful.” An ambitious work that will reinforce the Pumpkins’ already impressive artistic and commercial credentials.

Keith Whitley

“Wherever You Are Tonight” - BNA

Posthumous package from one of the most talented singers to ever hit Nashville is a solid piece of music. Producers Steve Lindsey and Benny Quinn did a very tasteful, understated re-creation of the late singer’s work tapes, and the result is eerily on the mark: It’s as if he were still here. The charts are full of Whitley wannabes, so check out the real thing. Strong songs, strong production.

Idle Wilds

“Dumb, Gifted And Beautiful” - Ardent

A rock-edged pop band that sounds right at home on the reactivated Memphis label known for Big Star, the Idle Wilds make a big impression with raging guitars and the astute popcraft of lead vocalist/guitarist David Gray.

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