Kim Phuc - Wormwood Star 7''

Awesome, this is the first day I’ve been free of a cold and any headache inducing sinus problems. Hopefully I can just make it through the rest of the winter without any cold problems like this again. Now on to the tunes…

Earlier this year I heard the debut single from Pittsburgh, PA’s Kim Phuc and immediately knew I wanted to hear more from this band. The four songs contained on that small slab of vinyl were an intriguing mixture of muddy bass driven dissonance, hardcore, and post-punk that along with it carried a very real sense of dread. I was definitely feeling that record and furthermore the angle in which they were taking. Thankfully Kim Phuc have followed that single up with yet another single through the Criminal IQ label that features two even stronger/focused cuts from the group. Displaying a bit better production, A-side “Wormwood Star” is a song that gets me extremely excited for what’s to come with this group every time I seem to hear it. It rumbles through nearly four minutes of down tuned muck that throughout exerts a somewhat of an apocalyptic vibe. The B-side “Freak Out the Squares” is and excellent sped up dirty post-punk influenced track that gets an extra dose of mean spirited attitude from Rob Henry. Kim Phuc provide a sound that sort of melds the noisy yet monotonous bass/drum heavy thud of Feedtime and the bands members hardcore/punk roots.

Kim Phuc – Wormwood Star [MP3]

For those looking to pick this up, and I highly suggest doing so, then head on over to Criminal IQ. Anyone that may be interested in getting a copy of their first 7-inch, there are still some copies available through Parts Unknown. Gets your hands on that one quick as I am pretty sure once those are gone then they are pretty much gone for good.