What can’t As Friends Rust do? I’m still listening to their latest full length (“Won”) and rocking out, and here they come with an EP. Man, these are some hard working rockers.
As Friends Rust combine the perfect qualities of metal and punk, emo and hardcore, blah blah blah, you all know this already. Well, get ready because here comes six new songs to knock your socks off. You thought As Friends Rust were good before, wait ‘til you hear this. And, no, I’m not the one who bashes them behind their backs and then claims to like them a few weeks later. I have always been a fan of As Friends Rust and I always will be. They can do no wrong in my eyes.
Two of my favorite songs on this CD are the first two. “More Than Just Music, It’s a Hairstyle” offers the line, “We’ve got big, big mouths and small, small minds”. “The Most Americanest” is- in my opinion- a reflection on the state of the U.S. today. Every time I see a car or pick up truck with an American flag hanging off it, I just think how much I want to make them listen to this song. While a lot of musicians are writing songs about the tragedies of September 11, 2001, it seems as is As Friends Rust is pulling strings and poking fun of the whole idea of patriotism. Whether it be as blunt as “I’m gonna snatch you right out of that fucking comfort zone” or the conclusion of “You just happened to be born here”, AFR hit the nail right on the head and point out something I think many others are far too afraid to even address.
The slower, shorter song towards the end, “Up and Went”, which is only one line of lyrics the whole way through, sung in a story with only guitar and a faint piano, is one of the best pieces as well and far better than most efforts by many bands trying to do what they simply can not do- what simply no one can do- like As Friends Rust. As that song mentions, “Instead I promise chaos”, I expect nothing less from As Friends Rust.
By the last song, “Where the Wild Things Were”, you get back to some normal ground for AFR, singing about rehab and fucking up, and complete with the backing “Hey!”’s that I’ve come to know and love AFR for having as a part of their music.
You should feel blessed to include these six songs as part of your musical collection. Well, seven if you count the hidden track. Now next time As Friends Rust come through your town, go out to see them, introduce yourself, then bow and kiss the motherfucking ring.