Northern California’s These Streets have been kickin’ around and kickin’ ass for a few years now. They offer up uber aggressive songs spawned not from the streets, but from the gutters. Guitars are down-tuned and thunderous, spitting out massive and gritty riffs. Classic Hard Core vocals from Cam Ross sting with authenticity, all culminating in an aural assault that you know you had coming.
Starting with a wall of feedback and rapper Lil’ B encouraging us “to take a chance,” opener “Goodnight” gives a brief nod to Korn (nearly replicating “Freak On A Leash” at its 3:02-3:10 mark). The inclusion of Lil B is a little puzzling. It doesn’t quite mesh with the overall vibe of the EP. After his last phrase, the rest of the EP is a display of violence and attitude. Rhythms alternate between snap-neck precision to 4/4 downstroke flurries, all the while, Ross spews vitriol far and wide.
It’s a pummeling ride and fists in the air are nonnegotiable. But it’s nothing particularly new. These songs here and on their previous efforts are powerful, and These Streets can stand toe to toe in any alleyway, but something tells me they have a bit more to offer. Next outing, perhaps. Like Lil’ B says, “you gotta take a chance.”
