With
Drive Like Jehu's
Yank Crime as their clearest reference point,
Sex Positions proves that hardcore music can continue to transcend the confines of scenes and be -- gulp -- relevant. Like
the Blood Brothers,
Sex Positions stretches the limitations of the genre by constantly experimenting and redefining what it means to be hardcore. Touches like the harmonica on "Interlude" set this album apart and make it far more dynamic then the standard scream-along fare. Of course, these guys can tear it up. "Commit It" is one of the most aggressive, yet contagious, songs of the year and "You Better Start Running" has the loose and punchy dementia of
the Stooges. But as they thrash through unremitting pieces like "Dead Lay Very Still," the band's new wave influence subtly sneaks to the surface. Keyboards wouldn't be a surprise on future albums, because the one thing that is certain about
Sex Positions is that they are always changing. ~ Charles Spano