It’s hard to believe now that in 1990 the New Kids were as ubiquitous as Keisha is now, but it’s true. Yep, the pre-packaged pretty boys from Boston who lip synched their shitty saccharine lyrics to even shittier pop music as they carefully followed their choreographer’s commands were everywhere. My friends and I hated them with the passion one should only reserve for root canals or corrupt politicians. So, when I saw the title of this record, I had to get it for the title alone.
It’s also hard to believe that there was a time that pop punk was just one of the many subgenres of punk, like emo. When I hear either of those terms to describe a band now, I cringe as aural sounds of bland pap overwhelm my brain.
Gutwrench would’ve been considered pop punk when this was released. They might be even considered what pop punk is now if the sound was cleaned up, but thankfully it wasn’t. Flex thinks the recording sucks, but if it was better the tunes might be a little too radio friendly, especially ‘She Hates My Guts’.
Image is from free-website-content.co.uk
1. She Hates My Guts / Around Here
2. Spaceman / Your Problem
Download it now! Gutwrench
