The Unamerican Sounds Of Song Of Kerman

Moo Cow was one of those labels in the mid to late 90s that always kept me guessing. Usually the split 7"s they released were from 2 bands from entirely separate parts of the country whose names didn't even sound familiar to me. The one thing that Moo Cow did have was the ability to discover bands that would go on to be household names (Disembodied, Morning Again, Cave In, Piebald) in the hardcore scene at the time. With that in mind I usually bought just about every record they released, regardless of whether I knew the band's name or not.

Florida's Song Of Kerman were in fact one of those bands. From the very first time that I put "The Unamerican Sounds Of" 12" on I was instantly hooked. They were fast, aggressive, noisy, artsy and what stood out the most was the vocal delivery of Mike Roberts. His vocals were half spoken word half screaming, a unique approach for a band of that time. You felt the pain in his voice, the rage, the feelings that drove him to write the lyrics he did. There is a real sense of beauty in the mood that the band sets, a certain sense of integrity that bands clearly lacked. Roberts' would belt out more lyrics in a single song that most bands could on a full album. Song Of Kerman were often political in their stance on human rights and violence again women, while covering such delicate personal issues as a friend's rape or Roberts' mother's beating at the hands of his father. Perhaps its why in their day they earned the title politicore.

Moo Cow states on their site that "The Unamerican Sounds Of..." was "from beginning to end this is probably the best DIY hardcore record I ever did." Though they were short lived, Song Of Kerman released a 7" on Track Star Records (anyone have a copy to trade or sell?) and a split 7" on Moo Cow with NJ's Handful Of Dust before the release of their debut LP. However shortly before their full length was to go to press, Song Of Kerman disbanded and the CD format was quickly switched to a limited LP for fear of it not selling without the band touring in support of it. For a limited pressing of less than 500 copies I was surprised to see how many of these were still available through various online distributors. Moo Cow owner James Burnham also goes on to say that "If I could give out one record to people when they ask what Moo Cow is about, it would be this one, if I had the copies to give." Yes, this record is as good as Moo Cow describes it and I seriously hope that some of you go out and discover who Song Of Kerman were.

From "The Unamerican Sounds Of..."
And Then I Made The Weeping
The Waltz
Perception Is A Deity
The True Gift Of Life

Yes this record is still available and at very cheap prices from Moo Cow and Very.