Review / 200 Words Or Less
Explode and Make Up
Some Kind of Diplomat

Underground Communiqué (2009) Jason

Explode and Make Up – Some Kind of Diplomat cover artwork
Explode and Make Up – Some Kind of Diplomat — Underground Communiqué, 2009

Any band that names themselves after a Sugar song automatically wins major points with me. And it doesn't hurt the band's cause when you hear names like Dag Nasty and 7 Seconds batted around in reviews either. Explode and Make up features the singer of 88 Fingers Louie as well as members from The Bomb and The Suicide Machines. And yes, they play old school melodic hardcore in the vein of bands mentioned above. I even hear bits of 411 and even the all mighty Lifetime. There's plenty of fast catchy hardcore with a couple of "whoahs" and hooks that will leave you humming these six songs in bank lines. If know me, you know I eat this stuff up like a box of Mike and Ike's.

8.5 / 10Jason • December 10, 2009

Explode and Make Up – Some Kind of Diplomat cover artwork
Explode and Make Up – Some Kind of Diplomat — Underground Communiqué, 2009

Recently-posted album reviews

Crippling Alcoholism

Camgirl
Portrayal of Guilt Records (2025)

Crippling Alcoholism have always navigated a delicate balance between musical depth and immediacy. A blend that few bands attempt, let alone master, but Crippling Alcoholism's two previous full-length records, When The Drugs That Make You Sick Are The Drugs That Make You Better and especially With Love From A Padded Room did exactly that. With a foundation formed through post-punk … Read more

The Necks

Disquiet
Northern Spy (2025)

There are no signs of slowing down for Australian jazz masters The Necks. Following the release of the excellent Bleed in 2024, the legendary trio makes a return with their 20th full-length record, Disquiet. Long-form compositions are nothing new for the trio, but here they dive headfirst into a three-hour tour de force, traversing the abstract and meditative territories they … Read more

The Eradicator

You Can Hate The Eradicator
Independent (2025)

Is The Eradicator a joke that's been going for 10 years (the band), or for 35 (the skit)? Does it matter? Well, only in the sense that I question how much material the Kids In The Hall-inspired hardcore band can cull from a 5-minute skit. (Maybe 10 minutes. The character was revived in 2022's Season 6.) Why do I bring … Read more