It seems weird to be reviewing this record now; the CD came out about a year ago and was recorded back in 2006; maybe it has something to do with their upcoming tour; nevertheless, it arrived in my mailbox so here we go. Previously LA-based (now Portland-based) Night Wounds produce that rhythmic art punk/noise rock that I just go for when it?s done right and these guys fucking nail it. There really haven?t been that many bands that have done this sound this well in a long time. We experienced a terrible wave of bands in the early 2000?s who created some awful wannabe-nostalgic post-punk and made a mockery of the entire thing. For a time, there were bands with real creativity who were almost afraid to make music that might be lumped into such mediocrity and reviewers were reluctant to say anything even for those who did it right because it became easier just to ignore it. Luckily for us, that wave seems to have disappeared and a band like Night Wounds can now make unabashedly great music without a hint of comparison to that. This record is nearly perfect. The recording is outstanding, yet lo-fi enough to keep it raw? ?distorted vocals, angular/dissonant guitars, and wailing/screeching saxophone over bashed-out rhythms... sounds like I could be talking about a no-wave throwback, but I assure you these guys are making their own and could give a fuck about being some retro outfit. The band is ridiculously tight and more than competent, bringing the confidence necessary to pull this off. If you?re unsure that these guys are coming from the right place, just start from the long mostly-instrumental last track that shows what they are capable of as they create some sick basement skree that puts most of the guys who are solely devoted to this stuff to shame. This is what separates the amazing from the ?just ok?. Go see ?em live when they show up in your town; go buy the album if you don?t already have it! 8/10 -- Todd Brooks (8 April, 2008)