Fake
Problems - Viking Wizard Eyes, Wizard Full
of Lies (Good Friends Records) Vinyl EP
Fearless Records and Fake Problems have joined
together to create one of this year's more
memorable vinyl 45's ( actually, they recorded
the three song single at 33 1/3, but it still
sounds good - go figure!) Pop punk doesn't
begin to describe the genres that are touched
on (there's also some tough garage, and a
smidgen of glam) which Fake Problems use to
illustrate their struggles while baring their
souls. Full of raunchy guitars, "Adam's
Song" has a 70's Brownsville Station
vibe that is rough, tough, and sweetly melodic,
as Fake Problems rant and rave about the trials
and tribulations of the Music Biz. After "Mutt,"
(about a cheating relationship, which is a
Clash-worthy rocker that's full of piss and
vinegar lyrics), as the late, great James
Brown would say, you gotta, "Get On Up
Offa That Thing," and flip the record
over to the B-side! Ahhh... VINYL! The groovy
grooves on this disc (very cool grey vinyl)
are wonderfully warm, and spacious, unlike
a compact disc. I think "compact"
says it all, as you loose a good portion of
the sound and flavor on a CD. "Wendy
Clear" finishes off the three song disc,
as Fake Problems let their mojo flow out of
the record, and into your ears as power chords
erupt, serving as a perfect example of the
sound of this band. It's also one of the best
punk rock tracks since I heard the first Mojo
Nixon album! It's a song about death, and
it rocks like hell. There's a central riff
that will give you whiplash, as this closing
piece will have you banging your head on the
dashboard. Being a vinyl junkie myself, hopefully
the good people at Fearless Records and Fake
Problems will see fit to issue their full
length album on vinyl also, as this EP has
left an indelible mark on my senses, and has
almost worn out my turntable needle! Can't
say that about a CD player, now can ya? -
Phil Rainone
CD Reviews 
