REVIEWS

Real Estate Fraud Tough Guy 7"
     I don't know what to think of this one.  The vocalist is the
     guitarist.  It appears his vocal duties are temporary; I'm not sure
     if he got the vocalist gig because he took it, or if it fell on him
     after someone else quit.  (It appears that a band member split
     two days before they recorded this.)  So what, I hear you say.
     Well, this.  The vocals are so sporadic, spazzy, and nonsensical
     not only in structure, but also in how they are set to the music.
     Some pretty nifty guitar stuff too.  A mind blowing single; I think
     what makes it work is that the vocals are so unique. (!?)  What
     can I say?  (Flipside #115)

     These Minnesotans play poppy-punk with very odd lyrics
     sung-spoken over the music.  The combination is very pleasing.
     Imagine Devo springing upon Face to Face and assaulting them
     with rubber chickens, and the two groups going off together to
     play a political benefit show.  If you're as tired of all the
     pop-punk bands that sound the same as I am you should really
     give this 7" a spin on your turntable.  (Hector's Bag of Fish)

     Right away I knew this 7" was good.  In fact, it is totally great.
     Real Estate Fraud manages to pull off the same old punk guitar
     riffs and bass lines with style as well as adding some clever drum
     beats and patterns.  However, the most innovative aspect of this
     refreshing release is the insane vocals, which verge on annoying
     but are overpowered with panache and originality.  Well worth
     your time and money!  (Punk Planet #19)

     To me, this is circus punk.  The bouncy music combined with a
     singer who sounds like the Micro-Machines man with a cold brings
     to mind a happy freak show-rather like an oi punk on ecstasy.
     While always reminding me of the Degenerats' "My Hawk", the
     music drifts from happy oi into something almost reminiscent of
     Steppnwolf, but still maintains its surreal quality throughout.
     This isn't something that I could listen to all day, but Real Estate
     Fraud is definitely fresh.  (10 Things Jesus Wants You To Know
     #19)

     This record is a little difficult to review because it's hard to come
     up with a really good comparison for Real Estate Fraud.  These
     guys actually sound pretty unique and original, and this new 7" is
     even better than their previous cassette.  Their style is basic,
     fast, garagey, slightly melodic, and definitely punk rock.  The
     vocals are very unsual because of the strange fast-spoken style,
     perhaps with a hint of Biafra's quiverings.  If you listen closely to
     the music you might notice some influence of The Stooges or
     other noisy pre-punk bands.  I don't know what else to say about
     REF, besedes that I'd advise you to give this platter a spin.
     (World Wide Punk)