Sacred Bones resurrects another overlooked post-punk band, hailing from Haverville, U.K. 13th Chime comes wrapped up in a muscular rock sound reminiscent of first three Wire albums crossed with early Cure, but without being either too cold or too pop. Don't lean too heavily on the references though; this a wonderful snapshot of an unfortunately overlooked band that embraced its small town status and injected it with a healthy dose of enthusiasm.

13th Chime's The Singles 1981-1983 is a blisteringly impressive set of tracks that will give newbie Joy Division fans nightmares for weeks! A total gem of a collection that combines post-JD-isms like the ominous art-punk of early Crispy Ambulance (check "Cuts of Love" with its descending bass line and moody grinding guitars), and the soaring death-rock of the Sound. The B-side tracks even have a hint of Bauhaus in the vocals! All this is wrapped up in a muscular rock sound reminiscent of first three Wire albums crossed with early Cure, but without being either too cold or too pop. This is NOT mope-rock; the dynamics even bring to mind some of what made Bad Brains, Agent Orange, or even Fugazi work. That's right, there is an enjoyable, unforced link going on here between punk, post-punk and hardcore.

Don't lean too heavily on the references though, because this record holds its own, as it sits beautifully in the precious/precarious moment of time between the late '70s and the early '80s, when so many of the cornerstone bands of post-punk were just emerging. In other words, this one is too early and culturally innocent to be tainted by a bandwagon vibe; it's a wonderful snapshot of an unfortunately overlooked band, one that seemed to embrace its small town status and took advantage of it by taking their influences and digesting them with a healthy dose of enthusiasm (see liner notes in the killer 12x12 inch booklet complete with awesome/awkward early stage makeup documentation!!). For every band that I'm reminded of while listening to 13th Chime, I can think of a way they've tweaked the sound to make it their own. This description can easily amount to an album that just sounds "obscure." That is not the case here; this record will get you psyched. Have I said too much? Then stop reading, and whatever you do, don't miss this!!! REKKIMENDID!

-Scott Mou (June 4, 2009)