Public Square possesses a uniquely carnal magnetism, a collection of aural transgressions that seem perfectly adjusted to the current socioeconomic burden that weighs heavily on many of our fair coast's denizens. Comparisons to Cleveland's Rocket From the Tombs – whose brand of garage-punk was a well-received voice of local dissension in the 1970s – are inevitable and with complimentary merit. However, there's more here. On early releases, This Moment in Black History delivered wholly derivative punk (see Midwesterncuttalistick), though it was a breath of angry fresh air in the face of the mopey sensibility and annoyingly introspective pining of many other bands of the same generation. On Public Square, the volume is still firmly fixed at 11, and the band is incorporating some of its jazz tendencies into the mix for a particularly inspired fervor. The recording reminds listeners that videos are often redundant, as a spin of Public Square will leave no doubt in your mind as to the energy these gentlemen bring to the stage. Guitarist Buddy Akita, drummer Lamont "Bim" Thomas and bassist Lawrence Daniel Coswell are seriously on point with "Pollen Count", which immediately launches into a heavy groove Tony Iommi would be proud of, teeters on psych-rock freak-out, and sets out with a liberal dash of MC5 thrown in as manic vocalist and keyboardist Chris Kulcsars arrives in the mix. "Precinct" follows similar suit, and is a great close to the album, again with echoes of "Sweet Leaf", albeit with the wildman call of Kulcsar, who belts "...haven’t seen the green in such a long long time, your working but your needles dull, sharpen it or let me go..." "90% tone" is driven by a guitar-keyboard interplay a la the Spits, while "Theophylline Valentime" starts with a carpal tunnel–inducing, thrash-appropriate riff before falling back into more familiar 80s hardcore territory (think Bad Brains) and more recent artists (think The Refused's "New Noise"). "Pan Opticon" finds the band treading genre bending territory, with some arguably classic rock noodling and a dose of free form jazz improvisation. That track, along with the throwback rap of "My Notes" indicates a band with a sense of humor and a delightfully unapologetic musical confidence. Tracks including "MFA" and "About Last Night" are loud, gritty and full of Raw Power. The lyrics here are often unintelligible, but the message is clear. It's time to stand up, make your voice heard and get on with the business of living - and being realistic: "...put that chili back in your mouth, fake metropolitan segregated river town, all your theories are an empty ballroom floor that evaporate the second the coroner calls..."
Album cover of Public Square
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