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Here in Boston there’s few records our shared HC heritage cherishes more than Jerry’s Kids - “Is This My World” lp. Such a fine and perfect combination of raging speed, huge hooks, ripping solos, and powerhouse drumming. Where the fuck do I even start? How about the opening guitar wash that burns away into squealing feedback and a bass break in the first (of numerous) anthem “I Don’t Belong”. “I GOT A FEELING THERE’S SOMETHING WRONG/I GOT A FEELING THAT I…/I DON’T BELONG HERE/I KNOW IT’S TRUE/I DON’T BELONG HERE/AND NEITHER DO YOU”. These lines are simple and direct but they frame the record in the perfect teenage angst and punk anger within the first minute.  The vocals seethe with anger and bile and the kind of frustration that jumps through the speakers and hits you in the chest.  The music follows this path as well. Rick Jones aside from delivering these vocals also holds down the bass guitar with ease and style. He’s flanked by two of the best to ever rip a 6-string: Chris Doherty (also of Gang Green), and “Rockin’” Bob Cenci. The way these dudes shred the strings - it’s caustic and percussive. It’s a constant wash, like all 16th notes and none of them muted. I’ve never heard a guitar attack this powerful and sustained, what’s even crazier is the shots of them going insane on the back of the lp. One shot of Doherty has him on top of the crowd with his guitar, the other jumping off the drum riser. The photo of Censi has him on his knees, eyes closed soloing, and when Cenci shreds a solo sit the fuck down, because school is in session. Without a doubt one of the greatest of all time. All of this is backed by the smash and bash finesse of Brian Betzger, one of the best to ever sit behind the old buckets in a hardcore band. I mentioned a second ago how percussive the guitars become as they sustain their constant 16th note picking, and part of what’s  so great about this is it gives Betzger the opportunity to go absolutely wild. I don’t think you’ll find a record with this many wild speedy fills anywhere else. I mean the band just sounds insane right off the bat. 

After tearing through 4 more tuneful shredders comes the side ending epic, “Raise The Curtain”. In the business, we call this a slow burner. This one’s slow and heavy and dangerous. The lyrics are abstract, dark and paranoid referencing blood-shot eyes, and a blood stained mind. The song lurches along for about 3 minutes and then begins to fall apart, ending about 30 seconds later, perfect timing for an intermission. The B-side goes back into the power thrash with tracks like Build Me A Bomb (Build me/Build me a bomb/Then all my problems/Will be gone), and No Time, stopping for another dirge detour in the form of “Lost”, maybe the only song on the record I wouldn’t call a homerun. Hey 11 out of 12 isn’t bad. There’s nothing wrong with the song, but it’s sung by Bob Censi and is quite slow. Switching speeds and singers in the same song just interrupts the album’s flow too much for me.

Anyway things end perfectly with the title track, the conclusion to the initial expression of anger and frustration. “IT FEELS SO COLD ON THE STREET/THERE’S NO MORE FEELING IT’S ALL CONCRETE/IS THIS THE WORLD I MUST LIVE/I’M FORCED TO FORGET HOW TO GIVE/ — IS THIS IT? IS THIS MY WORLD?” After a pair of verses and choruses the song builds up, climaxes and then fades out, leaving you to ponder the question at hand I guess.  Seriously, if you don’t love this one, there’s not much hope for you.