By: Carlos Aranibar
Rating: 7/11

Remember the kid with a mustache in fifth grade who went around bashing in everyone’s faces?  Yeah, that’s pretty much what it feels like to hear South Central’s very own Pristine.  “The Seams of Why” was the song playing as my lower lip was pierced by my incisors.

And then I remember crossing paths with the same kid leaving the school grounds later that week.  I expected another thumping but he looked me dead in the eye and offered an apology.  Taken aback by his somber humanity, I accepted his truce.  “Milligrams for Migraine” wafted through the afternoon air from the loudspeakers on the passing ice cream. 

Pristine Kills exhibits much control and maturity in their music.  Some songs dabble in pop/rock with catchy vocals and upbeat guitar riffs while other songs emphasize the punk with scratchy, metal-like vocals and a heavy drumbeat.  They can tear it up one second then coo and comfort their audience the next. Definitely worth a listen and the price of admission.  But remember to bring a first aid kit.