Estrus Kamikaze Ass Chomp N' Stomp CD Sampler Vol. 4 CD

Founded in the early '90s, the Bellingham, Washington-based Estrus Records is still cranking out high-quality slabs of rock from the underground. 2005's Estrus Kamikaze Ass Chomp N' Stomp CD Sampler is the fourth installment in the label's compilation series, and it's a nice overview of its upcoming releases for '05. Longtime fans might've wished for some rare material, maybe as a bonus. Kamikaze lacks any of that. But it does feature tracks from the as-yet-unreleased Makers and Total Sound Group Direct Action Committee records, as well as a blast from the past in the Mono Men's "Watch Outside" (originally released in 1992), and some great, trashy, rock & roll variety tracks in between. Iowa-based instrumentalists Diplomats of Solid Sound contribute a soulful, foot-tapping number called "Smash Up," while the DT's "Proud Man" features the white-hot vocal swagger of Diana Young-Blanchard. The Fall-Outs sort of sound like a garage pop They Might Be Giants, and the Fatal Flying Guilloteens' bent mania on "New Arsenal" (with brass instruments!) brings to mind Rocket From the Crypt and the Jesus Lizard. The Midnight Evils will appeal to fans of loud and crazy types like the Riverboat Gamblers, while "SGWTF" by Canada's Von Zippers is a punk rave against genetic experimentation that might rhyme "Monsanto" with "dirty shirt." The Dexateens' turn toward literate Southern rock on "Take Me to the Speedway" for a gripping ride and a definite set highlight, while fans of truly over-the-top trash rock will love the Mummies' "I'm Gonna Kill My Baby Tonight." [Note: old-school Estrus fans should pick up Kamikaze Ass Chomp N' Stomp just for the Japanese monster movie cover art, which has a clever surprise in the tray card artwork.] ~ Johnny Loftus

Performers include: The Bobbyteens, The Dexateens, The Diplomats Of Solid Sound, DMBQ, The Dt's, The Fall-Outs, Fatal Flying Guilloteens, Federation X, Gas Huffer, The Insomniacs, The Knockout Pills, The Makers, The Midnight Evils, The Mistreaters, Mono Men, The Mummies, Sugar Shack, Total Sound Group Direct Action Committee and The Von Zippers.

Editor: Matthew Lee Johnston.