Available in a black and white print gatefold sleeve, this is a 2-band, 6-song split 7". The gate fold is a nice touch to a classic split 7", complete with full lyric sheets.
When the needle hits it's cleanly produced pop-punk in the vein of Lookout Records, built on crisp melodies and harmonies. While it's bright and sunny in sound, there's a dark underbelly. In fact, the first song ("I Need You Here Tonight") references "put me in a hearse" and then the next song is called "Clown Coffin." Not only is there a death theme here, but death-related vehicles. This song is a ripper and I can already see a pit of joyous faces bopping around at the live show. It's a bit heavier, riff-wise, with a rumbling rhythm to it, but still follows the same convention. The third Tightwire track is an acoustic redo of "Six Feet Deep." Yep, there is definitely a recurring theme to this side.
On the flip we get Canadian Rifle, who share Midwestern roots but otherwise sound quite different. The band is heavier and fuzzier, like a noise-rock band that wants to play pop-punk, try thinking of a middle point between Condominium and Tightwire. I've really only heard a few of their EPs over the years, but it's potent stuff that's a touch outside my usual element. They lean into guitar a little more, with some atonal post-punk elements and post-hardcore madness mixed in. It's somehow peppy, while also pummeling -- with the drumming playing a major role in that layered tone. They really cover a lot of ground, but keep it in that same 2-minute song zone that does fall right into my wheelhouse. Plus, I'm into how they turn the phrase "Somebody kill the fly on the wall."
To this observer, a split 7" is best when it takes two different sounding bands and draws a connection between the two. Nietzsche totally pulls it off. I think, in isolation, my ear would be drawn to Tightwire's poppy side rather than their dark side, whereas I'd lean into Canadian Rifle's dark tones rather than their pop sensibilities. Side A influences how I hear Side B, and vice versa. Mission accomplished, Red Scare!
