Jerry's Kids - Is This My World
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Artist: Jerry's KidsEdition: Music CD
CD Release Date: 2002-01-01
Music Label: Taang Records
Free Music Notes for Is This My World
Free Music Review: Definitive hardcore punk masterpiece
Hit: 5 Stars
Not only was 1983 one of hardcore punk's very last years of prominence/existence but it also remains one of its peak years. One geographic point in the nation that was at the very forefront of the scene was Boston, shown in particular on the essential 1982 compilation "This Is Boston Not L.A.," and one band to be featured on it was Braintree, Massachusetts' Jerry's Kids. I didn't think their contributions to that comp really made them stand out in particular among the other bands on it but in the course of the year that followed, the boys honed their skills and even acquired the help of their scene rivals and fellow Braintree residents GangGreen, in the form of adding Chris Doherty on second guitar.
The record label to best chronicle the scene at the time was Lynn, Massachusetts' XClaim, who had already released landmark Boston hardcore records by the likes of S.S. Decontrol, the F.U.'s and D.Y.S. Jerry's Kids were too good to remain unsigned, and in 1983, the label also released their debut full-length "Is This My World."
I just listened to all 24 minutes of this album as preparation for this review and I am fully convinced it remains one of hardcore's very last masterpieces to be released. I can't say how much the addition of Chris Doherty added to the mix, but I have a feeling it did considerably. His own band GangGreen was known as something of a drug band, heavily into performance enhancers like cocaine, and while I don't necessarily advocate its use, I have to say that it brought an energy level to this recording that is unequalled in hardcore. He and lead guitarist Rockin' Bob Cenci came up with some of the greatest riffs hardcore had ever seen in songs like "Build Me a Bomb" and a track that is 1:44 minutes of pure hardcore brilliance, "Vietnam Syndrome." The basement level production values only add to the raw, furious atmosphere. Listening to these tracks you can just FEEL the sweat, the cramped playing spaces and inevitable pits and stagediving that were common to the hardcore scene of the day. As others have mentioned, drummer Brian Betzger is another standout. His drumming style may seem sloppy to some, but I actually think it's very fluid and organic, making him the Bill Ward of hardcore. The sound achieved on "Is This My World" was on the very cutting edge of its time. There weren't many bands that were this blisteringly fast and pummeling throughout.
This album had previously been released on CD as bonus tracks to the band's 1989 release "Kill Kill Kill," but I think Taang's decision in 2002 to release it on a CD by itself was spot-on. Included is the album's original artwork, photos and lyrics, all of which are a time capsule to this bygone era.
All in all, if you liked hardcore punk that pushed the speed limit beyond previously known sound barriers and was inherently brilliant at the same time, Jerry's Kids "Is This My World" is the album for you. A hardcore classic and a personal favorite.
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