The Evaporators / Andrew WK

A Wild Pear

BY Josiah HughesPublished Jul 24, 2009

On paper, this split seven-inch is too good to be true. Take Nardwuar, Canada's proudest cult personality, pair him up with U.S. weirdo renaissance man Andrew WK and get them to cover Canadian punk classics on a split slab of wax. In reality, it doesn't disappoint. On the A-side, the Evaporators offer up original track "The Bombs In My Pants" and a cover of the '60s French garage group Les Hou-Lops called "Oh Non." Even with some recent line-up changes the Evaporators are maturing as a band, to the point where every song they've released recently is a timeless punk classic, and these two are no exception. Flip the record and WK reinterprets the Subhumans' "Oh Canaduh" and the Leather Uppers' "Don't Sell Hot Dogs Tonight" through his sugary brand of amped-up power rock. Complete with comprehensive liner notes and art from punk cartoonist Mitch Clem, this is an absolute must have, no questions asked.
(Mint Records)

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