Music for Insect Minds

Personnel: Tom Hazelmyer (vocals, guitar); Tim "Mac" McLaughlin (vocals); John Anglim (drums).Recording information: C.B.G.B.'s.Mostly collected from singles and compilations, Music for Insect Minds documents a raging, powerful band at the peak of its career. Titles like "Ballad of Extreme Hate" give an idea of where this Minneapolis trio is coming from. This is angry music made by angry people, even a catchy rock song like "Tired & Cold" bubbles over with songwriter Tom Hazelmyer's contempt for humanity. For the most part, this is an engaging exercise in hardcore, much different from Minnesota contemporaries like Soul Asylum and the Jayhawks. At times it may get repetitive, but Halo of Flies have enough sense to mix up the punk with some slower, edgier dirges to keep the mix from getting stale. ~ Bradley Torreano