Cosmic Psychos “Blokes You Can Trust” 1991. Amphetamine Reptile Records, produced by Butch Vig, recorded at Smart Studios in Madison WI (where they apparently had a great time, thanking the Crystal Corner bar and Sprecher Beer in the liner notes). Blokes You Can Trust was the third LP from Australian punks Cosmic Psychos, though with recording and production by Butch Vig, fresh from Nirvana’s Nevermind, there is a distinct early 90′s grunge sound, albeit leaning more toward Motorhead metal and speed than the  dirge of many grunge contemporaries. The opening track “Back at School” is fast and wicked; released as a single its b-side is a cover of the riot grrrl classic “Shove” by L7. “Dead Roo,” the other single Cosmic Psychos released, is also great, detailing the hazards of driving on Australian highways. “I’m Up You’re Out” definitely leans in the slower, heavier grunge direction but “Loser” has a more classic, 3-chord Ramoneseque punk vibe and “Nightshift” is hyper-speed hardcore punk. “Hooray Fuck” is all metal guitar, deep beats and head-banging to the anthemic chorus (“Hooray Fuck!”). “Do It to Me” is hilarious, but “Never Grow Old” feels tired and cliched. “What” is fairly straight-up punk but the album concludes with “Elle” which is an acoustic growler, filled with laughs and audience/band whoops and hollers, like it’s closing time in an almost-cleared pub, the lights are on, the amps unplugged and the band is wasted but needs to play one more song.