Previously released as 12" records during the early '90s, the Dope Guns & Fucking in the Streets collections were always a good way to be introduced to the important bands of the underground punk and noise scenes. This particular edition is probably one of the best in the series, as many of these bands would go on to release fantastic albums around the same time these songs were released on vinyl.
Superchunk's "Basement Life" starts things off with a driving mix of melody and distorted guitar. A pre-major-label
Jawbox puts in the excellent "Low Strung," while
Love 666 harmonizes sweetly over the raging rock on "You Sold Me Out #2."
Braniac,
Steel Pole Bath Tub, and
Godheadsilo perform their typically good noise rock, but two tracks in particular stand out. First,
Rocket From the Crypt's "Tiger Mask" is a vastly underrated rock anthem, serving as both a song to a girl and a tribute to a Japanese wrestler at the same time. And
Servotron's fantastic "Matrix of Perfection" mixes their warped scientific lyrics with intricate post-hardcore rock effortlessly. This album works as an appropriate introduction to these bands, mostly because these artists tried to release solid tracks instead of donating tracks that didn't make their albums. ~ Bradley Torreano