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Puffer: S/T 7” (Roach Leg Records) The more I listen to this debut EP from Puffer, the more I’m convinced it’s a modern punk classic. Puffer has incredible, memorable songs, a ripping lead guitarist, a high-energy rhythm section, and a presentation that’s gritty and tough as nails. Their songwriting is the biggest of these many strengths. A song like “Iron Hand” is straightforward in its structure, built like a 60s garage tune with a big guitar hook at the top, a tension-building verse, and a big vocal hook in the chorus. All these hooks are great, and the song’s arrangement deploys them eloquently, with a bridge section coming right when you need a change of pace and a double chorus at the end to make sure the hook isn’t coming out any time soon. All four tracks are strong, but if there’s a standout, for me it’s “Sister Marie.” The intro riff on that one is a straight up classic, and I love how the vocal and lead guitar melodies (of which there are so many) are darker and moodier. Puffer is just a great fucking band, and they’re even more charming because they bathe their greatness in so much grime… this is on Roach Leg, after all, and its sound isn’t a departure from the label’s typical aesthetic. (Speaking of which, is it fair that Roach Leg gets to be the best raw punk label and the best pop label?) This EP has it all, and if classic 70s punk and raw 80s hardcore are the sounds closest to your heart, I think you’ll agree.