Laughing Hyenas – You Can’t Pray a Lie (1989)
After totally annihilating every band in a genre that specialized in annihilation, John Branon found three other Detroit weirdos with the idea of being… a punk blues band? It literally sounds disgusting on paper. However, from the first time the drums hit on this record, and it launches straight in with a churning Bo Diddley from hell rhythm. Larissa’s guitar was literally touched by God. Literally. Like, I mean, Ron Asehton signed it. Do you need another cosign? Butch Vig’s finest production work, ever. Yes, I know he did Nevermind. This is much more abrasive and heavy, in a good way. You can’t tame Detroit. I think the Hyneas might have been the last real rock and roll band. John Brannon, the howling wolf of hardcore. Pun absolutely intended.