13

Miserablist H/C Punk

Jagged guitars scratch out repetitive, rhythmic blasts of scuzz, low and dirty bass rumbles underneath as shouted but somehow melodic vocals echo out above, this is Dead Air, the opening track to this excellent EP from Creative Adult, bringing to mind everything you love about hardcore punk but with a miserablist post-punk edge a la Joy Division so they somehow sound totally fresh and engage you from the opening distorted note until the very last moment.

Creative Adult sound pissed at everything, at everyone, the slow and moody Tabloid being a case in point, yet their downbeat attitude galvanises you into movement and focuses your attention. You has an that late 70s post-punk feel, the bass is higher in the mix, but the H/C feel reasserts itself again on short but excellent closer Forbidden Fruit. This hits many spots, all at the same time.