Narcoleptic Youth – Barbi in Bondage 7″
Dr. Strange Records
When I placed this single on my turntable and started it, I thought for sure this must be a reissue of some old punk single that eluded me in my youth. I thought wrong as Narcoleptic Youth formed around 1992, but it’s pretty apparent that they were raised on 1980’s punk rock.
Three of the four songs on here could easily fit in on any number of 1980s punk compilations and you’d be hard pressed to tell the difference between them and bands that actually were from that era. The music is fast and punchy but it’s not thrash. There’s a bit of melody lingering in the music and a bit of a UK feel at times too with a singer that is reminiscent of Cliff Hanger from The Freeze at times. The four songs on here are short and to the point and all pretty damn catchy.
This 7″ was originally available once before and is long out of print, however this new edition features a bonus track which is a Ramones cover. I think the cover was pretty unnecessary, especially considering the strength of their original material, however it is nice to have something extra that the first pressing didn’t have.
There were two variations of this record pressed: pink vinyl and shit brown vinyl. Both can be acquired direct from Dr. Strange records. It’s nice to hear a newer band with an older sound that doesn’t sound completely generic and this single will enjoy a lengthy life here in The Punk Vault.
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