Search - Laughing Hyenas :: Life of Crime/YOu Can't Pray A Lie

This is the best effort put forth by the Ann Arbor quartet.

03/03/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This disc combines the two best works of the Ann Arbor quartet's 12 year history. Sadly, they split up in 1996, shortly after the Hard Times tour. Drawing influences ranging from Howlin' Wolf to the Stooges, this is a must buy for those who enjoy the dark side of the line. Blues ladden post punk aggression from the best band Southeast Michigan has seen in the last 25 years."

Post Punk Perfection

Rock Criminal | Portland, OR | 02/23/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The Hyenas really hit their stride on 1989's You Can't Pray A Lie (included here as a bonus). Every song played like their lives depended on it. Larissa Strickland's untrained guitar and John Brannon's outrageous vocals are the perfect compliment to the seemingly unstoppable rhythm section (Kevin Strickland, Bass - Jim Kimball, Drums).

Life Of Crime is sort of the completion of the process. Perfect in almost every way.

If you like the Birthday Party, Killdozer, Big Black, Jesus Lizard, try this on. It fits."

Don't blame them grunge!

Woodrow | Brooklyn, NY United States | 06/24/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Supposedly Life of Crime is the record played for Geffen so they could get permission to record with Butch Vig. Once Butch got big off of Nirvana he raised the rate for all the bands that put him on the map (Hyeneas, Killdozer, etc) so they couldn't record with him anymore. Swell guy.



Anyways, Life of Crime and You Can't Pray a Lie are both killer records. The Hyenas were always WAY better than Mudhoney and all the other over-rated bands on Sub Pop. The rhythm section was the tightest around, Larissa's guitar playing was completely unique and John Brannon's awesome voice needs no introduction. How they managed to achieve all this while battling their drug problems is even more impressive.



These days everyone is pretending to be the biggest Negative Approach fan that ever was and the Hyenas kind of get forgotten about. I like NA a lot, but the Hyenas were a much better band and were able to pull of killer Alice Cooper covers. Make sure to check out Easy Action, John Brannon's current group. They're a terrific blend of NA and Hyeneas.



And while you're at it, check out Mighty High...In Drug City."