Audio CD review:
Tanner - Ill Gotten Gains

Tanner - Ill Gotten Gains

Band: Tanner Title: Ill Gotten Gains Rating: Release Date: 1995-08-15 Media: Audio CD Tracks: 1: Hey Jigsaw 2: Computers That Breathe 3: Wig 4: Still a Rat 5: Man Below Dim Moon 6: Seiner 7: Catalogue 8: Kid 9: Purma Pak 10: Guard Dog 11: Noose 12: Spastic Art 13: Not a Fitting Niche

YOU MIGHT HAVE MISSED THIS LITTLE JEM THIS CD RANKS UP THERE WITH "YANK CRIME"! A TOKEN JEM FROM THE 90'S THAT MANY NEVER HEARD OF. Alas, poor Tanner, we hardly knew ye No fancy production or treatments here; most songs sound like they were cut live in the studio, which is the best way to hear this music - live and direct. This is another one of those bands that the world just missed out on. The singer/guitarist has a good yell, and knows how to carry a tune as well, and the bassist and drummer kick up a mean backing groove. As an added bonus, the lyrics are excellent, impressionistic poetry that read as well they sound. Highlights for me: Computers That Breathe; Man Below Dim Moon; Still A Rat. But the whole album rocks non-stop. It is insane to see this thing available used for one penny. If you like high-energy rock with no self-indulgent guitar solos, and lots of weird, off-kilter riffs, then you should love this album, as well their second (and last) release, Germophobe. Southern California may be evil, but at least there's Tanner Reminiscent of a heavy NoMeansNo, Tanner succeeds in demonstrating their ability as unique performing artists in the doldrums of the southern California music scene. Possibly having the best primary four song line up since Metallica's "Ride the Lightning," Tanner comes out of a dark alley and punches you in the face like some drunken mugger with the raw power of Ill-Gotten Gains. The song "Computers. . . " alone makes this album worth the money you would have otherwise spent on beer. I look forward to hearing more from Tanner in the near future. May they rock on and on 'til the break of dawn. You can see a complete list of all Tanner discography, or go back to the Tanner tabs