Unsolicited This Is Boston, Not L.A. Review

Various Artists
This Is Boston, Not L.A.
Modern Method
1982

This Is Boston, Not L.A. is one of the many classic 1980s hardcore punk compilations that somehow managed to sail past my ears during my nascent days as a wild, glue-haired thrift store fashion victim. I have no excuse, really. I should have been paying more attention to the music, man. Instead, I was too busy scouring Pinkie’s and Our Father’s Closet for vintage disco trousers and youth baseball t-shirts.

So what stands out on this Massachusetts-themed bastard? The Gang Green material, mostly. They’re the tightest band with the highest production values, it seems. Just scathing, boisterous skate thrash. I will admit my prior familiarity with Gang Green might be skewing my opinion. Thus, let’s pretend those beer-obsessed trolls aren’t on This Is Boston. Begone, vile rockers of Budweiser parody fame!

What does that leave? The zippy anti-booze ranting of the Freeze (”Idiots At Happy Hour,” “It’s Only Alcohol”); the angry growl of Jerry’s Kids (”Straight Jacket,” “Uncontrollable”); the faux British working class bitching of the Proletariat (”Options,” “Religion Is The Opium Of The Masses”); and a bunch of other pretty rockin’ stuff. There’s no secret Minor Threat lurking about here, but these Beantown bands generally offer a good, slam-dancin’ sound.

You can definitely throw This Is Boston on and rage while you play video games, watch wrestling, monitor your ant farm, or do your algebra homework. If I was absolutely forced to pick one non-Gang Green standout track, it would be the searing take on “Green Beret” performed by the F.U.’s. What can I say? I’m a sucker for wacky covers.

I shall now complete this review in the manner of whimsical, mustachioed film critic Gene Shalit: This is Boston? No, that was Boston! Not L.A.? That’s okay! These east coasters were the mosters who probably didn’t even own toasters! Watch out, Ian MacKaye, here’s Boston in your eye!

FINAL SCORE: Three Crossed Forearms (out of four)

Tags: This Is Boston Not L.A., Gang Green, Jerry's Kids, the Freeze, Gene Shalit