Chain Of Strength, “The One Thing That Still Holds True” (Revelation, 1995; original release 1989-90)Second-wave straight-edge HC from Connecticut (actually L. A., sorry) featuring maniacally sectarian and/or ludicrously “introspective” lyrics that actually come off realer than real when blasted on top; of wall-smashing, adrenaline-cranked performances of songs with tunes that seriously stick in your head. […]
Chaotic Dischord, “Now That’s What I Call A Fuckin’ Racket” (Punkcore, [?], original release 1982083Whereas U.S. hardcore quickly spawned a more experimental postpunk subculture (think Minutemen, later Black Flag, Kreuzen, etc.), U.K. hardcore mostly stuck with basic thug-punk. These guys are like the exception that proves the rule: punk played with such loutish fuck-it-all abandon […]
Cheap Time, “Cheap Time” (In The Red, 2008)Debut from this fine garage-punk combo. They hadn’t yet achieved the level of chrome-plated glam-rock insouciance evinced on the glorious “Exit Smiles,” but this is still super-catchy and hard-hitting, and a lot more raw.Try A/7, B/1, B/71/23/14
Cherie And Marie Currie, “Messin’ With The Boys” (Capitol, 1979)This continues Cherie’s drift into soft-rock territory, but there’s still a lurid glam afterglow that makes its chardonnay lifestyling a little more fun than the competition.Try 1/1, 2/110/2/18
Cherry Glazerr, “Stuffed & Ready” (Secretly Canadian, 2019)I loved their/her shambling debut on Burger, couldn’t quite get into the more pro followup, so I didn’t have any particular expectations for this. Turns out it’s awesome – the third time’s the charm, alright. This is well within the vein of the ‘90s-derived hard-guitar chug with modular/elliptical […]
Chesterfield Kings, “Night of the Living Eyes” (Mirror, 1989; original recording 1979-83)Named after what was already a cigarette only old guys smoked even in the ‘80s, and appropriately so – this Rochester NY combo was one of the most period-detail-specific of that wave of ‘60s-garage-punk revivalists, i. e., pure Chess blues/r&b guitar shuffle filtered through […]
Chesterfield Kings, “Night of the Living Eyes” (Mirror, 1989; original recording 1979-83)Named after what was already a cigarette only old guys smoked even in the ‘80s, and appropriately so, this Rochester NY combo was one of the most period-detail-specific of that wave of ‘60s-garage-punk revivalists, i. e. pure Chess blues/r&b guitar shuffle filtered through the […]
Chic, “Chic” (Atlantic, 1977)A classic debut. Its distilled, kinetic funk attack was as big an influence on Brit postpunk as anyone’s (cf. Gang of Four, Au Pairs, Delta 5, Pop Group, etc. etc.).Try A/1, B/15/5/12
Children In Adult Jails, “Man Overcome By Waffle Iron” (Buy Our Records, 1985)A truly singular artifact – ex-hardcore kids trying to reinvent industrial sludge-rock while simultaneously unlearning their (limited) instrumental prowess. The result is a grating, ingenuous mess, redefining the boundary between ugly and cute.Try 2/ 1, 2/ 17/16/18
The Chills, “Kaleidoscope World” (Captured Tracks, 2016; original release 1981-84)Earliest work from these New Zealand masters of jangly/drony guitar pop. The stark, luminous minimalism seems as natural as life, as eerily far away as the South Pacific and as warm as home.Try 1/ 1, 1/ 2, 1/ 4, 2/2, 2/ 46/18/18