Muuy Biien - D.Y.I

Label: HHBTM
Year: 2014

Somewhere along the line, Muuy Biien traded in their Black Flag records for Wire records, and consequently their sound has more of a post punk jitter to it than the slashing hardcore aggression of the older records.
It actually harkens back to the San Diego bands circa 1998 or so, after the spazzy grindcore noise had been superseded by arty, asymmetrical riffs and all black everything. Which I guess is "old school" to someone of a certain age, and maybe that style is making a comeback? The title track even flirts with some later period Dead And Gone, when they too ratcheted up their darkened post hardcore noise with some Christian Death spookiness. I could support a renaissance of that sound. I'm in.
The band has released a few instrumental droning ambient type records, and occasionally employ those sounds as folly to the more rocking numbers, but it's nothing to get too worried about. Merely a sorbet palate cleanser prior to the scallops course.
I wasn't expecting this sound from this band, but it's really not any wild deviation in evolution really, and after a few listens (Without Prejudice vol. 1 - George Michael) I could appreciate it on it's on merits. There are some really strong songs on here, the urgency and intensity is still there, just now it's dipped in India Ink and sneers rather than spits on you.

DL