MILEMARKER

MILEMARKER
ANAESTHETIC (2001)
320 KBPS

When you think about it, the idea of punks who turn to new wave is about as logical as it can get. Originally social outcasts, punks were shunned miscreants until only recently when it became acceptable social strata. Much like punk-rock kids had been for years, new wave’s frequently misunderstood: Instead of whitewashed anger that painted punks into a corner, it’s been written off as a silly, dead-end musical movement of the early ’80s.
Besides being a fun listen, Anaesthetic’s able to push some new ground as well. With digital melodies wrestling with a flurry of guitar and drums, it’s hard to choose whether to shake a booty or to slam dance. It’s that collision of both aesthetics throughout this album that Milemarker really thrives on: anxiety between the decadent strains of hardcore and the crisp, deadpan cool of new wave makes for a listen that proves it’s still possible to get the same sort of emotional impact that pure punk did 25 years ago.

1 Shrink to Fit
2 Food for Worms
3 Quick Trip to the Clinic
4 Lost the Thoughts But Kept the Skin
5 Ant Architect
6 Fear Is Back in Town
7 Installment Plan