Rations - Martyrs And Prisoners 7"

Tracklist:-

1. Leaves Of Grass

2. Occasion For War

3. My Magnificent Sea

4. (No More) Warheads

5. The Profiteers

6. Relived/Replayed

Next up on my neglected physical review pile was this 7" from Long Island punks Rations. Released in July 2013 as an international collaboration between 30 record labels and pressed on 1000 copies. It highlights the cooperation of friends and creatives witihin the international punk scene and it was a great way to make sure that Rations got heard by as many people as possible, globally. Rations themselves have been quiet for a couple of years and this 7" was their last physical release. Anyway, this record is a celebration of punk values no matter how long ago it came out.

Rations plays the kind of garage/gruff punk that belongs in sweaty pub dives. It’s loud, brash but you can still sing along to it. Leaves Of Grass is their rallying cry, filled with noise and riffs. Behind that noisy exterior though there is a lot of melody. The guitar work during Occasion For War is kind of at odds with the vocals but it all works really well. They tap into what’s missing from modern day punk on My Magnificent Sea, even if it’s only fleeting. During their pulsing moments of noise, I’d liken them to a less ferocious version of Full Of Hell, but I realise that comparison is kinda stupid. (No More) Warheads is their angry protest song and while vocals are used sparingly, it still means something. Talking of angry anti-establishment song, The Profiteers could be the mid-paced middle finger that America needs right now (especially when aimed at Trump). Relived/Replayed rounds out “Martyrs And Prisoners” with killer rhythm and rock n roll nonchalance. This 7” is the antithesis of everything that’s going on in the world right now. While it seems that it’s every man for himself in the rat race, punks like Rations and the labels/people that helped them release this are doing great things, cooperating with people they’ve never met and just being friendly. That’s the aim right?

You can stream "Martyrs And Prisoners" and pick it up as a name-your-price download below:-

Below, I've gathered store links to all of the labels that still have it in stock or are still alive:-

Abbreviated Records - http://abbreviatedrecords.com/merch
Added Warmth Recordings - http://addedwarmth.storenvy.com
De Nada Records - http://denadarecords.storenvy.com
Different Kitchen Records - http://differentkitchen.bigcartel.com/category/different-kitchen-records
Hectic Society Records - http://hecticsocietyrecords.tictail.com
John Wilkes Booth Records - http://johnwilkesboothrecords.com/store/i
Kiss Of Death Records - http://kissofdeath.limitedrun.com/store
Life On An Island Records - http://lifeonanisland.storenvy.com
Rad Girlfriend Records - http://radgirlfriendrecords.storenvy.com
Recess Records - http://recessrecords.bigcartel.com
Tor Johnson Records - http://www.torjohnsonrecords.com/store/
Tour Van Records http://tourvanrecords.storenvy.com/collections
86'd Records and Distro - http://www.86drec.com/categories/86d-records

Rations Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/rations