1 From the Crates #2: TSOL - Beneath the Shadows (1982)

TSOL - Beneath the Shadows
(Alternative Tentacles - 1982)

TSOL, I think, are most famous for being on a million punk compilations, being covered by Slayer once, being on a t-shirt on Axl Rose in a music video and having a song about necrophilia. They were a part of the late 1970's to early 1980's explosion of punk rock in Southern California (side note: if you haven't already, go watch the documentary 'American Hardcore' - last I checked it is on Google video in its entirety). Without entering the great useless debate about the origins of punk music, I have to say that the early soCal hardcore represents the true essence of punk rock to me.

As time wore on, a funny thing happened. Most of the bands in the scene either disintegrated or had members die (and then disintegrated), but a few survived beyond the token seven inch or two, maybe for the mere sake of spiting the naysayers. TSOL was one of those bands. And for a band whose first full length focused on a) hating the government, b) hating everyone else, and c) fucking dead people, 'Beneath the Shadows' demonstrates a remarkable nuance and - dare I say it - sensitivity. Furthermore, it still sounds damn good.

The most shocking element of this album is the dominance of keyboards and piano, a genuine rarity in the lo-fi world of early punk. Most punk bands suck when they try to make 'serious' music, as bad musicianship is a key element of punk. TSOL did it without breaking a sweat. They toned down their overt political attack (TSOL stands for True Sounds of Liberty) and instead wrote some really meaningful songs about life and love and other random existential shit most punk bands would shun. Even better, they did it without being corny.

'Beneath the Shadows' may be punk by default, but it wouldn't be out of place in several other genres. At the very least, the title track is worth a download. It takes me right back to an adolescent malaise that still resounds, as life can still kind of blow in these very strange and very fucked up times. Not that this album is a bum out, songs like 'Soft Focus' and 'She'll Be Saying' have plenty of punk rock get up and go and the album is well paced through its punctual thirty-four minutes. 'Beneath the Shadows' is worth listening to somewhere between one and one thousand times, at least.

Review by Metal Matt ~ @metalcobra