Books Lie - Press

Online Reviews

Spank Fanzine - interview
Popmatters.com - review
Splendidezine.com - review

Books Lie "It A Weapon" LP (Maximum RockNRoll #209)
Whoa, break out the wingtip dancing shoes for this one. While BOOKS LIE has definite Discordish-meets-AVAIL sound, it also just swings. I'm talking about a swing that comes naturally, not something contrived like ROYAL CROWN REVUE. Just imagine those dancing shoes with a pair of cutoff camouflage shorts and a dirty t-shirt because that is what this record sounds like. Oh yeah, it's really good to boot.

Books Lie "It A Weapon" CD (Punk Planet #41)
This is the only CD I got this month that I can honestly recommend. That's okay since this is a soon to be classic that you can throw on repeat and be pleased with for days. There is nothing about this New York City hardcore band that is not exceptional. A crude description would be to cross Econochrist with Kid Dynamite. The Books Lie folks have stolen riffs from far and wide to bring you a quirky cool new style that is super catchy without being bogged down in experimental bullshit. I caught many influences in the guitars from Teengenerate to the B52s. These guys (and a girl) remind me of the passion and hostility that fueled Born Against. So much so that I can't stop thinking that Sam McPheeters is somehow behind this. This is especially true when one reads through the intellectually biting lyrics. Even the two silly instrumentals are cool (which says a lot for someone who hates his peanut butter mixed with his chocolate). I stand behind this recommendation of Books Lie 110%.

Books Lie "It A Weapon" CD (HeartattaCk #28)
I saved this one for last. Books Lie is a four-piece hardcore unit from right here in Brooklyn. These ten songs are direct gripping reminders of what this music can mean in a political and social context. The band takes itself seriously enough, but they're too smart to wear their messages on their sleeves. They tread the same fiery path led by bands like Born Against but with a head bobbing, hyper-melodic edge left by the little-loved Pittsburgh band Pressgang. Adam's lyrics stress the importance of improving oneself and one's community, social views, and surroundings as a first step to improving one's world view and actions to change society. One of the more challenging and uplifting hardcore records I've heard in a while. Ex-members of Saetia, Yum Yum Tree, and Your Adversary if that sort of thing matters to you.

Books Lie "It A Weapon" CD (Law of Inertia #9)
Interesting NYC indie hardcore played rather loosely with a strong social conscious and sense of humor. Song titles include "Capitalism Is Some Kinda Crazy Ass Vampire" and "Your Simpsons Backlash Is A Fucking Joke". They make the point in the liner notes that they are not the Lorax and thusly they do not speak for the trees. The music is a pummeling speedy sound with the occasional strong chorus backups and some melodic parts in between with lots of good noise. Really cool shit here that will satisfy fans of several different styles. Recommended.

Books Lie "It A Weapon" CD (Spank Fanzine)
From the ashes of Your Adversary, Saetia, and Yum Yum Tree comes Books Lie, a New York band packing a lot of wallop. With an aggressive hardcore punk sound, Books Lie charge at you with the veracity of a Born Against or maybe the Jesus Lizard, but without sounding like either. Vocalist Adam Paterson lashes out with his own political sarcasm that is not only funny but also very, very true. The more I play songs like "Pessimisty" or "Your Simpsons Backlash is a Fucking Joke", the more I am reminded of the clever way in which Books Lie rock ass. I was lucky enough to catch these guys a few months ago; if you cross your fingers, maybe you can too.

Books Lie "It A Weapon" CD (Shredding Paper #8)
Modern hardcore that's intense without taking itself deathly seriously (not to say they're not serious, but with song titles like "Capitalism Is Some Kinda Crazy Ass Vampire" and "Your Simpsons Backlash Is A Fucking Joke" you can pretty much toss any acusations of pretention out the window). Searingly powerful 'core with a couple of experimental bits that's better than many a modern pretender. Don't be surprised if you start to hear a lot more about this band in the future.

Books Lie "It A Weapon" CD (GhettoBlaster)
Strong and solid for its element, which is noisy hardcore that incorporates a little pop, is the Books Lie. At times, this record reminded me very much of Rye Coalition. But, just as I would start to get all hyped, it became H2O-like a minute later. Proving to be a bit repetitive, some songs definitely dragged out too long -- a trait that definitely seems to weaken their attack. Utilizing very strong, energetic vocals and clever use of clapping on the first track, the songs blend into one another well. However, there are two random instrumental tracks that are not good. They’re probably not attempting to be good, and plainly do not belong, because they disrupt the flow and vigor of the record. The lyrics are at times clever, and at other times a bit too....um... masculine ("kill kill kill kill"). This is certainly not the most original of styles, but still tightly constructed and certainly deserves credit.