Polysics - Hey! Bob! My Friend!
(Asian Man)
Polysics, from Tokyo, have now released their U.S. debut, Hey! Bob! My
Friend! And man, is it a smash! It's the kind of spaz-tastic
synth-punk-new-wave record that requires hyphenations to describe and then
promptly explodes your head.
Hey! Bob! My Friend! is a 12-song visitation from the land of speed-Devo,
electro-fied Dead Kennedys, and video game scorers Man or Astro-Man?. Manic
energy pours out of furiously destroyed guitars, pounding drums, pounding
drum machines, inhumanly awesome synth riffs, and vocals that bring a new,
exciting meaning to the word "shout." Polysics never slow down. There's
nothing particularly innovative or even particularly creative going on here,
but the approach to the tried and true is fresh-faced, energetic and laced
with amphetamines. Like I said, I honestly can't say I enjoy some songs
better than others. Well, okay, maybe "Good," or "Buggie Chicker." But
what's the point of describing what's better about those particular titles
than the others when they all fit inside the same description so tightly?
And now, as Polysics exercise economy in their effective songcraft, I will
attempt to do so in my criticism: If this sounds good to you, you will
undoubtedly enjoy it. And if you like a song on this record, chances are
you're going to like every goddamn one. Granted, it's not music for every
occasion. But it's probably only $8, too. What a steal! How could you not
refuse? Pick it up sometime if you've got enough cash left after buying what
you really went to your local indie punk store to buy, and you'll be
pleasantly surprised.
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