Time Out Timmy – “Animal”

Time Out Timmy – “Animal”

Time Out Timmy released one of the better records I reviewed last year, but somehow, they just missed being put in the Top 15 at the end of the year.

But I had never seen them and was curious about them, so I asked them to play the opening slot of my recent birthday party show.

After I asked them to play, I did catch some live videos of them and was impressed but it still didn’t prepare me for how ferociously good they are live.

As Tony The Tiger would say- “G-r-r-r-r-r-r-e-at!”

There were five really great sets that day at my show, and I be hard pressed to pick the best but I certainly wouldn’t argue with someone who picked their set.

Well, so far I’ve been coherent in this review but I make no promises as this music drives me fucking insane! But in a good way!

But before I flip my lid, let me relate- this new release is far more potent, far more passionate and far more punk than the previous excellent release. And furthermore, it captures the wild energy, fun and excitement of their live shows.

Their music seems to be at the exact point where punk meets hardcore- where The Ramones and X crash headlong into the Circle Jerks and Black Flag. And they’re from fucking New Hampshire!

I can’t wait any longer. Let’s give this platter a spin:

“Fuck Authority” starts out all peaceful and stuff. Like maybe it’ll turn into a cover of John Cougar Melonhead’s “Authority Song.” But then the jet pistons ignite and we’re elevated (or degraded) to an unspeakably, joyful level. This song is an example of why, when Andy Bang saw the band, he mentioned they sounded like X. Male and female unison vocals proclaim, “Fuck authority, fuck all you motherfuckers.” This is the punk rock of “White Riot” by The Clash, “Suspect Device” by Stiff Little Fingers or “Rise Above” by Black Flag. “I won’t give up without a fight, and I won’t give up- just to spite, and I won’t give up on you.” This is the punk rock that is now and true, that rips into your heart with full fury and is pure and worthy of any classic punk song I mentioned or you can mention, too. Meaning- it’s fan-fucking-tasticly great. Authority usually sucks but the emotion, power and passion of this song rings true- so much more so than the lies the authorities spew out of their buttholes they call mouths. This song is pure punk propulsive perfection.

“Animal” kicks off with some surf sounding drums sounding like “New Rose” by The Damned on overdrive. Wimpy, from The Queers, is guest vocalist. “I am a fucking animal, not a fucking human being,” is repeated throughout. This song pummels and pounces upon you like a leopard lurching for your throat for his next lunch and pulls us into a hardcore crush that attacks your senses with raw emotion and inhuman glee. I’m not sure if I qualify as a human or an animal- it’s open to debate. But there is no question that this is a great, awesome song.

“Linger” has a punk’n’roll/country beat that wouldn’t be out of place on a McGunks album. “Sometimes I feel I could be all alone. If that happens. Well, I’ll probably blow my brains out. I’m anti-social but I need people.” And we all need songs that are so natural and unassuming and as great as this one.

“Amelio” thrust us into a grunge-y, garage rock vibe amped up about a thousand times. I guess it’s about a grrl, “A lot of pricks want to get inside of her.” But, I guess, it could be about congress, too. On most releases this would qualify as the best. Fun, killer tune.

“I Did Robitussin At The Prom” has Senor Wimpy seranading once again. But unlike the romantic, Mexican madrigals he usually croons- this one is a mad house, five alarm fire with guitars flailing ferouciosly to keep up with the beat. “My date ditched me at the dance. Now, I won’t get in her pants. Mom ran off with the limousine. I wish I was high on amphetamine.” A wonderful sentiment in an equally sentimental, or semi-mental tune. The Beatles said “Let It Be” but these folks say, the more relevant, “Let It Prom.” But I wish there were more songs like this one or more EP’s as great as “Animal.”

So some pretty, straight up crazy, ram-a-llama with your ding dong kinda stuff right here- am I right?

They’re starting to become one my favorite bands but I hope that won’t cause them to be discouraged.

They mention skate punk, seems I overlooked that, but it makes lots of sense to me now. Also, “wicked good New Hampsha punk.” Which also sounds good, almost as good as this release.

Editor in chief, Andy Bang, has just come into my office and congratulated on me being coherent for a previously unattainable, period of time.

He says, that if I keep this up, that sharp objects will once again be allowed in my working space.

This normal stuff, this coherency. Good golly Miss Molly- I think I’ve got a handle on it!