They Threw Us All in a Trench and Stuck a Monument On Top

This Mute Records reissue of the shocking debut album from NYC-based LIARS combines raucous dance, hip-hop, and punk beats for high-energy heart-and-soul fire-eating that, somehow, morphs into song. Pat Noecker, bassist for the defunct group Opium Taylor, and Ron Albertson, former drummer of Mercy Rule, seduce the rhythms like veins looking for blood. Their body-shaking beats are purged through the jagged and sordid melodies of Aaron Hemphill on guitar, who screamed his way through LA punk formations Phil's Throne & Viral Index before hitchhiking to New York with friend and Ozzie-esque Liars frontman, Angus [beef].

This six-foot-six Australian rants like some kinda punk-rock basketball coach, calling plays from the book of Jobe (his inspiration drawn from nights spent living at Nick Cave's in Notting Hill). Producer Steve Revitt -- best known for his work with The Beastie Boys and John Spencer -- refines the monstrous chaos of Liars' live shows into a can't-control-yourself listening experience. People say they sound like P.I.L making love to The Birthday Party, but the band would prefer it if you just bought the record and jiggled your hind.