The Queers: "Today" MCD - Lookout Records, 2001.

With this mini CD to back up their forthcoming album, The Queers celebrate their return to Lookout Records after spending a few years with Hopeless Records. They've also rejoined forces with punk rock institution Ben Weasel who has produced the CD. Seemingly The Queers mean back to basics the early 1990's!

The opener is a future The Queers classic for sure - "Yeah, Well Whatever" - it's completely down the same lane as the great predecessors on LPs such as "Don't Back Down" & "Love Songs..." - full of energy and carrying a knockout chorus! "I Don't Want to Live on the Moon" is the name of the second song credited to Dave and is alot slower, but doesn't really reach the same high level as previous super efforts like "Deborah Jean" & "", but undoubtedly worth a listen or two. The third track called "I've Had it With You" is co-written by Joe Queer and Ben Weasel and that is easy to hear; very punk, very simple and very angry. Then we return to the slow love orientated theme with the fourth song entitled "I'm the Boy for You" but as with "I Don't Want to Live on the Moon" I feel there's something missing. It's good, but nothing exceptional...! The final track is a typical The Queers cover of another classic Beach Boys song - "Salt Lake City" - as usual well carried out with great piano work..!

As opposed to the very angry release by The Queers last year - "Behind the Valley...", we're definitely more laid back with this one. As stated initially, we're leaning more towards the style that people came to appreciate them for in the early and mid 1990's. I would say though, that this mini CD doesn't bring forth anything new, but it will be exciting to see what the forthcoming full length has to offer...!? (JW)

::: THE QUEERS
::: LOOKOUT RECORDS

It's been about 2 years since the last studio album release from these pop-punk leaders, The Queers. In the meantime they've put out "Later Days & Better Lays" - a kind of greatest hits compilation - plus toured the States continuesly! But now The Queers are back with a brand new full-length - and it's something else!

Not only have they changed the line-up again (now: Joe Queer - guitars & vocals, Dave - bass & Lurch Nobody - drums & vocals) they've also chosen a different path musically speaking. "Beyond the Valley..." is alot punkier than especially the relatively weak "Punk Rock Confidential" (Hopeless) but also compared to all the other great 90's releases. The guest apperance by Wimpy Rutherford - founding member & original vocalist back in 1982 - of course contributes to this extra punk edge. Also I think it was a good move to change producer - Jim Tierney has produced this album. The Mass Giorgini sound got over-used a long time ago...! All these things have made the album tighter, snottier and basically more 80's like!!!

I wouldn't say that "Beyond the Valley..." has reached the same level as the timeless classics - "Don't Back Down", "Love Songs for the Retarted" & "Grow Up" - but it definately has obvious qualities. First of all the fact that Wimpy gets to sing lead on two tracks, secondly the choice of production (pay close attention to the bass!) and finally Joe Queer starts attacking people again lyrically! So if you want a "Journey to the Center of Your Empty F**king Skull" you better contact Hopeless Records to get your copy (+ free stickers, new catalogue, post cards, poster, etc!!!). (JW)

::: THE QUEERS
::: HOPELESS RECORDS