Welcome to Review Revue, where every Thursday I dig through the KEXP stacks to share DJ reviews and comments written on the covers of LPs (and occasionally CDs) in the ’80s and ’90s, when the station was called KCMU, the DJs were volunteers, and people shared their opinions on little white labels instead of the internet.
This week we highlight another legendary band from the Pacific Northwest who has an actual pretty big-deal show coming up soon. Mecca Normal's Jean Smith and David Lester are still going strong 35-plus years into their career, and in fact they'll be playing a sold-out benefit show for Interfaith Works with Bikini Kill in Olympia on :Pi Day 2020 (yes, Internet, this is offiically the coolest sentence that has been typed on you to date). What better time, then, to revisit their first album. This also gives us an opportunity to dive into the snarky back-and-forth of highly opinionated college radio DJs who disagree with each other! Always a good time.
"Regional music from Van BC. Bob Dylan meets Billy Bragg with somewhat annoying vocals. Lyrics are a highpoint."
"Excruciating! Check it out."
"This is fun and worth checking out. Sorry Pete, I don't agree w/your description at all."
"Okay, the lyrics suck and the vocals are operatic. Better?"
"Great record. Greenside is corruscating (sp?) beauty. Gawd!"
