Wizo – Kraut & Ruben – Review

Wizo

Kraut & Ruben (Fat)
by Scott Hefflon

For those of you who think all punk (especially the bands on Fat) sounds the same, aside from fuck you, I’d like to say, “check out Wizo.” Kraut & Reuben, an eight-song EP taking a mere 24 minutes to run its course, opens with “Anneliese Schmidt,” and while I have no clue what they’re singing (it’s in, like, German, and the only two German words I know are in the title), I like singing along. I could be singing, “Dumb American! You sing to anything (even Public Image Limited)!” The “do, da-do, da-do, do, do, da-do” from that song Lou Reed keeps rewriting was a nice break, especially when mixed with a breathy voice mumbling something kinda profound before the NOFXian drums gallop in and finish the song in a lopsided round repeating “Anneliese Schmidt” a whole bunch. Song two sounds a lot like those Canadian Eggs, the McRackins, and I mean that as a compliment. And the subtle lyric of “Walking on Sunshine” was noted, fellas. “Just Go” opens up with “Smells Like Teen Spirit” before rockin’ out, railing against some fat chick who won’t leave ’em alone.

And “Poupée de Cire” has more Iron Maiden in it than ever I thought a punk band could muster. Also, if you ever wanted to hear Antonio Banderas’ band in Desperado jam on some metal riffs, well, check this out. Ditto with the depressing/thoughtful Spanish vibe of the next song, “Quadrat in Kreis,” a song worthy of Social D. or any of the heartfelt punk rockers who write tunes to stand the test of time. And while “Stay Wild” is a peachy rebel anthem with catchy riffs and positive ideas, man, it reminds me too much of Quiet Riot’s “The Wild and the Young” and chugga-chugga glam rock I’d just as soon forget (“Youth Gone Wild,” “We’re not Going to Take It,” ad nauseam). For those who’ve never heard Wizo, this is a great introduction, seeing as it’s a “best-of” from their one domestic release (on Fat), their earlier records (whose names I can’t say or spell, so don’t ask), and a coupla comps.
(PO Box 193690 San Francisco, CA 94119)