Killer Squirrel Reviews Songs for the Company Christmas Party CD: I sent out some copies of this album for review. Most of the reviewers got a copy of the album before a few things were fixed. Why I didn’t make everything final before sending out copies, I haven’t got the faintest clue. Sometimes I just get like that. Anyway, I'm pretty sure that I saw the album reviewed in Razorcake, and if I remember correctly, it was rated, at best, as tepid. As for the others, I'm not sure what they wrote, but I'm sure it wasn't anything spectacularly glowing. And I really don’t care enough to find out for sure. In fact, if anyone has a problem, it these reviewers. They are going to have to figure out another way describe my music and share their opinion during the next year without sounding repetitive. Good luck and wait by the mailbox, kiddies. -Killer H. Squirrel P.S. Thank you to the people who have sent emails similar to or exactly like “yer band is coool.” I think you’re cool too. Fine! Here! Now, leave me alone! -K.S. Neufutur.com Reviewed 21 May 2006 The distortion that is present on the first tracks of “Songs For The Christmas Party”, specifically “A Memo for All Rock Journalists”, fights with the vocals to establish the dominant force during the disc. The distortion eventually wins out, but individuals can hear what is being played pretty clearly. The style of music that Killer Squirrel plays is something that is straight forward and punk as fuck at some point; when the band kicks into tracks like “Don’t Blame Me, Thank Your Parents” there is little more going than a guitar and a set of drums. There are not solos, not hardcore breakdowns but just repetition to the max, smashing down into listeners’ heads like a ten pound sledge. The reason for much of the repetition is the fact that Killer Squirrel is in reality one individual. However, the fact that Killer Squirrel is only one person does not mean that the band falls into the same type of rut that other one-person acts (Steve Lieberman and Mizar, to name two individuals) tend to do. This means that there is a tremendously catchy track in “Nothing To Lose”. “Songs For The Christmas Party” is full of these tracks, and Killer Squirrel more often than not seems as more of a punk version of Atom and His Package. I have no idea why an individual would not want to release a 7 inch with eir, as these tracks are catchy and show Killer Squirrel as a blend of Gnarkill and The Ramones. The disc ends well before the thirty-minute mark, but there is an enormous replay value for “Songs For The Christmas Party”; Killer Squirrel has a greatest hits on eir hands before they’ve cut more than two albums. Just because the disc is spinning to a close does not mean that Killer Squirrel is going to close up shop and cut a few forgettable tracks; “Happy Valentines Day” is just as strong as “Open Your Eyes”. Here’s to hoping that there are a few more “Songs For The Christmas Party”s bouncing around the head of Killer Squirrel, as this album is some of the most fun and interesting material that has came across the desk in a decent amount of time. This is not just pop-punk, though; a track like “On 16th Avenue” sounds as if it is a Frankenstein’s Monster of alt-country and New Order and succeeds even with the odd pairing of styles. Top Tracks: Nothing To Lose, Open Your Eyes [JMcQ] Self-Released (And Loving It) CD: Maximum RocknRoll "... it's more like demos for a pop-punk label with indie leanings. Political lyrics, stark nasal vocals, and an honest attempt at immediacy in an apparent reaction to bland suburban surroundings." - Ryan Wells [That's right - pop punk demo! Wa-hoo! The Killer Squirrel train is out of control. -K.S.] Maximum Rocknroll (I'm not sure why it was reviewed twice.) "... a minimalist, experimental vehicle for sarcastic, snide, political poetry. Most likely Killer Squirrel will produce a mega hit ..." - Hal MacLean [Did you hear that? Mega Hit! Nothing can stop me now, and Mr. MacLean is going to get all of my future records. -K.S.] Razorcake "Rudimentary punk rock with subdued execution and leftist lyrics." - Jimmy Alvarado [Yay for rudimentary! -K.S.] Slug and Lettuce "It's quirky and weird in the vein of Dead Milkmen and Big Black (well, minus the perversion). The lyrics are heavily political in a lighthearted way." - Brandy [No band is more quirky. -K.S.] A Postcard from New York "I found it disturbing and exciting." - Aaron (Cometbus) [Just wait until you hear the next one! -K.S.] Heartattack "Killer Squirrel is poppy and enigmatic rock with lots of quirk politicized vocals. You get basic beats and funny lines, which sometimes come together in a magically pleasing way..." - Lisa Oglesby [Do you mean magical like Puff the Magic Dragon? - K.S.] Indie-Music.com "Sometimes you put in a CD, and your first impression is, 'What the hell is this?' About five minutes into the CD, you realize it’s total brilliance packaged in an audio format. Such is the case with Killer Squirrel and its latest cut Self-Released and Loving It. - Benjamin Daniels [As Stan Lee would say, "'Nuff said." - K.S.] Ox Fanzine "... kommt einem hier entgegengeknattert!" [The review was written in German, and I failed German class in the 8th grade, so I can't understand it. I don't think they liked the CD. - K.S.] Hybrid Magazine "A bedroom punk album? In 2004? I love it." - Zeppo [I love you, too. -K.S.]