Band : D.O.A.
Album title : Talk – Action = 0
Label : Sudden Death Records
Distributor : Cargo Records – Sonic Rendezvous
Release date : 11/05/2010
Release : CD

Hey, less talk more action? Can do!

So, D.O.A. is a Canadian band that was, along with other late '70s & early '80s acts such as Bad Brains, Black Flag, Teen Idles and Minor Threat one of the founders of the second wave of North-American Hardcore Punk. During their career they went through a musical mellowing in the mid to late '80s (going for a more Rock-geared type of Punk), and worked with Jello Biafra on the 1990 album Last Scream Of The Missing Neighbors (released on Biafra's Alternative Tentacles record label, which also occasionally released D.O.A. albums. Line-up changes also happened, leaving lead singer/ guitarist Joey Shithead as only remaining founding member. If you're into '80-styled North-American Hardcore, D.O.A still brings a healthy dose of the goods, with Joey's raspy lead vocals a signature for the band since day one. Music of the band (including 4 tracks from the new album) can be heard at myspace.com/doapunk. Check it out!

More talk? Can do as well! You see, I thought the band had already released an album by this title before, and thought this was actually a re-release of same. However, the 1991 live album's title had everything written in full: Talk Minus Action Equals Zero, and the new one by that title IS as studio album, containing a total of 14 songs with two of 'em covers. One's a rather raw & Punky (whadda ya 'xpect?) version of Bob Dylan's “The Times They Are A-Changin'”, the other is a cover of a track written for Dean Martin in a black 'n' white movie with him and his long-time buddy Jerry Lewis (then still very young) with a story around golf courses, golf upstarts (Martin) and friendship. Otherwize only important to people who've seen the movie, and you won't find any of the covers posted at the band's MySpace either!

Want even more talk? Go check out the band's comprehensive but concise story at Wikipedia! Still, those with a little respect for the Hardcore Punk world owe it to themselves to go buy the album and continue to support these oldtimers!

90/100

Tony.