Punk Band Excels At Mediocrity

Mon., Feb. 14, 2000

Jon Ross Moscow

Parasites “Compost”

The Parasites sound like the average underground punk band and, well, they pretty much are. Their songs contain standard punk drum beats, wailing guitars, a typical stanza, chorus, stanza, progression, and love as the center of most of the songs, like “Tears On My Pillow” and “She’s From Salinas.”

“Compost” is a compilation of all of the Parasites’ seven-inch records and other various recordings. The lineup changes frequently, providing a window into their past, but every track pretty much sounds the same.

There are a few interesting breaks from the driving punk music, mainly “Dennis’s Excellent Haircut,” which contains an extended bell and organ solo backed by chirping birds, and the ever popular “(Do You Wanna) Drill Threes?” providing a much needed math lesson.

No other tracks really stand out because they are all basically mediocre punk songs.

Don’t think that I don’t enjoy listening to this CD; I do. It’s just that I’ve heard it all before.

This is by no means a bad recording; it is mainly OK. I do recommend at least listening to this CD if you are new to punk music. It’ll help you acquire a standard to apply to all other bands.

Grade: B-

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