Kid Dynamite takes 'shot' at hardcore fame

Kid Dynamite was a one-trick pony. They wrote short, fast, loud punk songs with a slight melodic edge that owed quite a debt of gratitude to guitarist Dan Yemin's previous band, Lifetime. Following the demise of that seminal New Jersey melodic hardcore band, without which there would be no Saves the Day, Yemin finished his doctorate and took a leave of absence. \nHe returned with a vengeance, playing guitar for an explosive combo called Kid Dynamite. Their career trajectory was appropriately short and dramatic, and they made their name with a catalog of fast, catchy hardcore punk songs. Cheap Shots, Youth Anthems isn't a eulogy; it's a memorial service, highlighting the best of their career along with some covers, live tracks and demo material never intended for proper release. \nThe classics are great, if repetitive, the covers are of interest only to rabid fans of Circle Jerks, Black Flag or Dead Kennedys and the demo outtakes are weak. If you are a passionate fan of Kid Dynamite, then pick this up. If this sounds remotely interesting, grab Shorter Faster Louder. Better yet, just buy Jersey's Best Dancers or Hello Bastards by Lifetime. The strongest endorsement I can give this record is that it isn't bad.