Art Yard “The Law” 7″
More exceptional archival material from Ride the Snake, this time from Art Yard, post-Maps art-pop-rockers from early-Eighties Boston. These tracks originally appeared on a cassette comp from Propeller Records in 1981, with “The Law” being an obscure hit that garnered them some local/college radioplay/popularity, but as these things surely go, just as the band was picking up steam they broke up. “The Law”, a song I’ll cop to never having heard before, is quite an exciting find, a angsty-pop hit about depression that has a pounding backbeat and some post-punky nervousness to its hook. Reminds me of Suicide Commandos with some arty Mission of Burma touches. A song good enough to pay for on its own. “Something in Your Eyes” is a break-up tune with some more clever lyrics, the slower tempo allowing some time to focus on the angular guitar playing. Not as direct a hit as “The Law”, but still satisfying and a bit more challenging even. You should shell out for this one, as it’s a great “reissue” of a band that barely existed, but one you really should hear.(RK)
(Ride the Snake // www.ridethesnakerecords.com)
Tag Archives: art yard
Terminal Boredom loves the Art Yard 7″
Womblife blog loves Art Yard!
Art Yard “The Law” B/W “Something In Your Eyes” (Ride The Snake) 7″ – Sweet single of two cuts originally dropped on a Propeller Product comp cassette way back in 1981, offers up a convincing blueprint for what would become the classic Matador Records sound or identified as Paisley Pop soon after. Somewhere between Mission of Burma and early Teenage Fanclub. Very tasty.
The Noise, Boston’s Most Relevant Music Magazine, loves Art Yard!
From the press release: “Ride the Snake is a collaborative effort made by four friends based in Boston, MA, Portland, OR, the USA, and Planet Earth. Among many other things, they hope to collectively share a bunch of totally awesome records created by some of their favorite bands with the world! So far, they have released sixteen records, mostly by young punkish rockers (my take on their sound),” but this nod to the independent Boston scene of early ’80s cannot be overlooked.
Art Yard was part of the Propeller Records label that featured angular, post-punk, anti-corporate bands decidedly left of center (like Dangerous Birds, Wild Stares, People in Stores, CCCPTV, and the Neats). They were comprised of Jim Clements, Bob Valentine, and Dan Salzmann, all ex-members of the Maps, one of Boston’s premier rockers who had a smash local hit, “I’m Talking to You.” It was their new step into the next wave. They recorded these two tunes for a cassette compilation in 1982 (long out of print) and to hear them again—remastered for vinyl!—is like a jolt of electricity. “The Law” is an ambiguous pastiche about depression and recovery. “Something in Your Eyes” is about heartbreak and breakup. Both tunes are challenging, pounding and honest, angst-ridden, with tricky playing and flaying. Totally essential listening and a memorable treat! Keep your fingers crossed that there are more historical surprises planned. (Harry C. Tuniese)
We promise no more young-ish punx, Harry!
The Maps – I’m Talking To You
This is a great old Boston power pop song. I’m posting it because we’re about to announce a new 7″ by Art Yard, and 75% of the Maps went on to be in Art Yard right after the Maps broke up. Should be official later this week!