The Runts took a risk opening its debut album with a cover of Suicidal Supermarket Trolleys’ “Beer,” but after the slow lead into the song, it burst into life, kicking my ass as it went. That being said, it does seem out of place when compared to the ten tracks on the album which are all superior to the opener. A friend described the band as a mix of Minor Threat and Who Killed Spikey Jacket?, an unlikely combination which actually works well. There is the hardcore drive of the former, with Ian MacKaye-sounding vocals, and the punk snottiness of the latter. I’d also throw Jerry’s Kids into the mix, as there are definitely some similarities to the sound of Is This My World? at times. I like this a lot. A physical release is on the cards. –Rich Cocksedge (Self-released, Bandcamp)