Hillary Johnson is Tape Op's website designer and an occasional writer, but she's also member (keyboards) and engineer/producer for the Crowns on 45. This NY five piece would sit well on a bill with a band like Sleater-Kinney, with their speedy drumming, intertwined mixed-gender vocals and slightly post-punk leanings. Hillary recorded the band at 80-20 studios (in Queens) which she described as "some DA-88s and a Mackie board in a basement." Hey, it worked. The record rocks hard and is really compelling, especially "Walk in the Park" with it's taped interview of a woman who was sexually attacked during a parade in NY. Intense. (www.crownson 45.com)
Music Reviews | No. 26
The Argument
by Larry Crane
How many albums have Fugazi recorded at Inner Ear with Don Zientara? Don't they ever get tired of each other? How come the records always sound so good? How come they always make an album that's a...