The Prefects: It's All Over Too Quicly

Pretty much everything from the Acute Records’ catalog has arrived sounding better than one would imagine ignored works from a few decades back should come off. But the imprint’s persistence of vision, whether it’s no wave of Brit post-punk stuff, really winds up being apparent to those that are paying attention.

Granted, there’s a substantial difference between Glenn Branca’s caterwauling guitars and the quirky pop cum skronk songwriting splayed open on the Prefects’ lone properly issued digital work. Amateur Wankers, the title of the band’s only volume of work, is clearly dismissive in its title. But that seems to be how first wave punkers wanted it. If you go back and listen to that first Sex Pistols’ album or the second long player from the Clash, those were talented players who specifically choose to express themselves in this aural manner. The Prefects might not have ranked as much talent in its line up, but whatever perceived shortcomings there were, the band made up for in inventiveness. And that’s inarguable.

Of course, coming out of the early punk scene – not beating anyone to the punch, but being around early enough that the Prefects were able to gig a bit with aforementioned groups – there’s still that thread of simplicity running through the group’s first few works. “Things in General” apes an almost jangly guitar sound, but still deals in such a quick tempo as to not separate the track from anything the Buzzcocks might have come up with. Much the same can be said for “Escort Girl.”

What’s most entertaining about the Prefects, as if those two tracks weren’t enough to stake a career on, are the few compositions the group worked up which pushed against any sense of tradition within the genre. The most obvious moment of that all occurring is during the ten minutes of “Bristol Road Leads to Dachau.” Apart from that obtuse title, the opening tones of the song wind up sounding like Gang of Four. And if one weren’t concerned with drawing comparisons to obscure German bands or unknown no wave groups, this here track could plausibly be included into some outtake collection detailing the better known group’s career. It’s that strong an offering.

With that said, it’s probably easier to come up with a handful of tremendous songs than to make a run at longevity. So while there’s not a joker in the pack, it seems as if it’s all over much too quickly.