Punk Turks drop stellar new 'Bomb'

Gabe Fajuri

REVIEW
	At Rope's End The New Bomb Turks Epitaph

The New Bomb Turks are back, once again proving that four English majors from Ohio State actually can amount to something. "At Rope's End," their second release for indie giant Epitaph gives the Columbus, Ohio punk rock quartet an opportunity to further refine its sound. At the same time, this new album holds on to the scream-in-your-face punk rock sound for which the Turks are well-known.

Like other Turks releases, this one kicks off with a bang. "Scapegoat Soup" gets things cookin' early on with its fast pace, high-energy vocals and thick guitar sound. With "Snap Decision," the album continues to roll right along, giving listeners barely a second to catch their breath between tracks.

By mid-disc, however, the Turks throw a change-up into their typically "guns blazing" punk sound. "Bolan's Crash," a ballad that discusses disappointment and unattainable goals, starts out with Eric Davidson, lead vocalist, crooning along to a guitar and piano duet, which is quickly complemented by Bill Randt's capable drumming.

The follow up to "Bolan's Crash," "Raw Law" has a distinct gospel and blues feel, making it the highlight of the record. Healthy backing vocals in the chorus give the track the kick in the pants that it needs. Darchelle Williams could have come stra ight out of a church choir, but somehow she fits right in with the Turks' punk styling.

It's on the final couple of tracks, "Aspirin Aspirations" and "Streamline yr Skull" where the record starts to go downhill. Not that either of the tracks are exceptionally horrible, but neither is up to the standard set by previous Turks releases like "Pissin' out the Poison" and "Scared Straight." "Aspirin Aspirations" is a slower, harmonica-based track, while "Streamline" lacks the speed and energy characteristic of other tracks on this, not to mention other, New Bomb Turks efforts.

All in all, not a bad effort from these Buckeye boys. "At Rope's End" may not be a punk rock classic, but it'll certainly rock you harder than anything on the radio will these days. The Turks may be at their "Rope's End," but they're far from kicking the bucket.

04-14-98