CRUCIAL YOUTH -- “Straight and Loud” EP
There’s been a lot of talk about these guys – both good and bad. CRUCIAL YOUTH parodies straight-edge by taking it to its furthest extremes. The music sounds like YOUTH OF TODAY (or JUDGE or WARZONE or STRAIGHT AHEAD or … you get the picture) and the vocals are a goofy-sounding Ian. Yes, it’s a funny satire (“Positive Dental Outlook” and “Be Kind, Rewind”), but nobody likes to hear the same joke over and over again. If they develop their own style (even if it means parodying some other form of music), then they should be an interesting band. A nice novelty item, but right now, the joke is wearing thin. ($3 to Dave Madsen, 6 Arbor Lane, Holmedel, NJ 07733) [TONY]
[Originally published: Issue #7, circa 1989]