Record of the Week: Tàrrega 91’: Fill De La Merda 7"

Tàrrega 91’: Fill De La Merda 7" (La Vida Es Un Mus) Well, this rips. Tàrrega 91’s debut sounds like a lost artifact from the early 80s, capturing not just the sound of the initial worldwide hardcore explosion, but also the crackling energy and excitement. LVEUM’s description mentions Discharge’s first few EPs, and something about Fill De La Merda makes me think of the Decontrol EP, the way it’s raw and vicious, but the energy takes precedence over the heaviness. Today’s Discharge-influenced hardcore bands tend to draw more from the denser, more layered sound on Why? and Hear Nothing See Nothing Say Nothing, but Tàrrega 91’ is comparatively barebones, the production recalling the vérité recordings that made early 80s punk records from Finland, Sweden, Washington, DC, Italy, and so many other places so great. There’s so much I love about this EP, but it’s hard to pin down what elevates it above the pack. The great recording, simple but elegantly crafted songs, and intense and energetic performances are all part of it, but ultimately it’s something ineffable, some unseen hand that has reached down from the heavens (or perhaps up from the depths) and blessed this recording with the true spirit of hardcore punk. Play this record as loud as you can and tell me you don’t hear it.