Screeching Weasel Side:
Yep, it's Screeching Weasel, that snotty, nasal, Ramones rip-off band. These two songs are very political for them and rail against U.S. foreign and domestic policy. However, this style of song doesn't seem like the right fit. And these two Screeching Weasel songs are definitely not their best work. They're better with a hefty dose of sarcasm, but "El Mozote" is preachy and "Fuck This" is just a complaint. My Brain Hurt is their best record and this 7" came after that, so it should be much better. Maybe they were just trying to regain some punk cred by teaming up with Born Against. This is definitely not an essential release to own from them.

Born Against Side:
I don't know what they're singing about, but this strained yelling over a pretty angry soundtrack makes me think this Janelle person really did them wrong. Oh wait, what do the lyrics say? This is a love song?!?! Oh, man, I just understood the record. Born Against is covering Screeching Weasel songs and Screeching Weasel is covering Born Against songs!!! If you only read the lyrics, you can hear that Ramonesy, surfy sha na na business in the background of sappy lyrics like "And I don't think the East Bay punks/will wake up long enough to meet Janelle/Janelle/Janelle/She's so swell/and she doesn't smell." That's why all these songs seem weird: they're done by the wrong bands!

Actually, "Go Fuck Yourself" by Born Against seems pretty spot on. The distorted vocals shouting insults over an elephant-slow, bass-heavy melody are just the right combination. But the rest of this record? Weird.

If you like this review, you can buy me a coffee.