While we can all agree that the greatest release of all time on Merge Records is The Fuckers “QuickCash” 7″, the debut 7″ and sole release by Richmond, VA’s Dynamic Truths is definitely a close second. The band was the project of vocalist Bob Schick, previously of Coral and before that Honor Role. While all three of those bands can be categorized as “post-punk” in one way or another, Dynamic Truths were (to me) the most interesting as they managed to combine the driving elements of the more cerebral side of hardcore (Greg Ginn, Mission of Burma, Saccharine Trust) with the pop sensibility of a bands like The Verlaines or even their label bosses Superchunk. Schick’s vocals really define this band’s sound, more so than it did for his previous bands, and I’d go so far as to say I can’t think of anyone I’d even compare to him. The band existed for only a few years, breaking up in or around 2000, leaving behind only this 2 song 7″ and a song on a Jam tribute album CD that I’m not sure I’ll ever hear. According to the Merge Records website the 7″ is still in print and available from the source for only $3.98. Do be aware however: In 2010 label Little Black Egg released a posthumous LP collecting every song the band recorded during its existence (minus the two on the 7″ and the Jam cover) in a miniscule edition of only 100-130 copies as well as a limited CD version (including the 7″ songs). To say the songs on the LP are as good as those on the 7″ would be an understatement as you can hear the band reaching out in even more directions sonically. The good news is a few copies of the LP have popped up on eBay and Discogs over the past few years and none have gone for more than $30. So, get yourself a copy of the 7″, keep your eyes peeled for the LP, and listen to the songs on the ol’ YouTube in the meantime.
