Sometimes even the most shlubby of bands rises to the occasion and manages to capture lightning in a bottle, probably completely unaware that they’re doing so. Philadelphia’s Monkey 101 wasn’t around very long, played the occasional really sloppy show around town, and put out two singles. This is the first one, and boy did I have high hopes for them after hearing it. This recording sounds simultaneously tossed off yet full-on. Wonderfully trashy in all aspects, the clanging bass, the fuzz vibrato guitar, the mid-lo-fi production, the line “I’m so damn impatient/why the fuck didn’t you call”. Close listening reveals back-up spaghetti western vocal ahh’s, adding swagger and sonic glue. A bit Embarrassment, a bit Volcano Suns, and pretty much like a thousand punk bar bands across America, but with a great power chord hook and that “look Ma, the car’s got no breaks!” flying-off-the-handle vibe. Their second single didn’t come close.

Andrew Chalfen