YONKERS WITH THE BLIND SHAKE, MICHAEL - Period

"Carbohydrates Hydrocarbons is not only a great collection of punk-induced psychedelia, as heavy as anything can be without sludging to death; it was also the best thing Yonkers had done since Microminiature Love, and a high point of the Blind Shake. A few years later Yonkers and the Shake got together for a brief split/collaborative album on Learning Curve Records. Good stuff but not quite as powerful as the two aforementioned monsters. Now comes Period, Michael Yonkers and the Blind Shakes first full album together since Carbohydrates Hydrocarbons and their best yet. Like Yonkers and the Shakes previous work, Period is tuneful and heavy and punk and psychedelic, but there is also something more. The album has an energy which is dark but not sinister. Yonkers lyrics are intense, even painful, but his voice is strong. The swirl of sound created by his homemade guitar is other worldly, and when woven into the guitar/baritone guitar/drum throb and punch created by the Blind Shake, Period is nothing less than great. Seriously, after six straight months of listening to Period, I rank it up there with such classics of heavy weirdness as Von Lmos Future Language, High Rise II, and Monoshocks Walk to the Fire. Period is even worthy of a listen next to Blue Cheers Vincebus Eruptum. Period by Michael Yonkers with the Blind Shake will stand as a classic. I am sure of that. Vinyl copies of Period are housed in a Stoughton old style tip-on sleeve." -  S-S.