Review #38: L-Seven - L-Seven (EP) (1982)

L-SEVEN (EP)

Year: 1982

Genre: Punk Rock
Sub-Genres: Post-Punk
Label: Touch & Go Records
Tracks: 3
Length: 6 Minutes (Very Short)
Style: Mysterious
My Rating: 6/8

L-Seven, not to be confused with another punk band, L7, were a little-known punk band from Detroit, Michigan that existed during the early 1980s. This was their only record, and they signed to Touch & Go Records. Turns out that because of the more post-punk style of the band, they actually made an offshoot for that style of music called "Touch & Go Special Forces". This was the only record ever on that fraction of the label.

1. Insanity
Pretty much starts immediately. A lot of lead guitar and a really cool bassline. A neat phaser-effect in the mid-section. I think Larissa's (the band's vocalist) voice fits really well with the music. She might have been British or something, 'cause her accent sounds like it. However, this is a pretty short song.

2. Secrets
This is the fastest song on the album. Once again, it uses a lot of lead-guitar instead of the rhythm guitar. Love the vocals. However, I'd have to consider it the weakest track on the record. End of Side 1.

3. Clear Vision
My favorite track on the album. It's a very good song, and it's the most interesting of the three. Starts with a slow tempo and a very aquatic guitar sound. Then there's a lead-up to the chorus which sounds pretty cool and uses a lot of lead-guitar. The chorus is harder and faster than anything else on the record, but then it goes back to the lead-up, and then back to the verse section. The mid-section is cool, where she keeps singing the vocals from the lead-up section, and then it goes to the lead-up and finally the chorus again. Larissa's voice sounds great in this song. This is the longest song on the record. And the last one.

It's a shame that there isn't anything else by this band around. They seemed to have a lot of talent and artistry to their craft. Larissa Stolarchuk, the band's vocalist, went on to play guitar in the band, the "Laughing Hyenas". She passed away in 2006. Still, while only three songs long, is a very good sort of footprint for any band to leave, really. They really should have done more. Who knows how many other even better L-Seven songs there are that were never recorded?