"Although there are endless comparrisons to Fugazi, Q & Not U are altogether a different band. These guys are moody yet highly energetic. They seemlessly splice together musical patterns in such a way that keeps the listener engaged. Above and beyond labels like "Pop-punk" or "Emo-punk" these guys play a musically mature yet delightfully naive take on traditional punk stylings. With an amazing live show to back it up, Q & Not U are redifining melody-driven punk music as we know it. Their lyrics are thoughtful and challenging without being too preachy. Although many of the tracks are highly dancable (as if that's a bad thing) don't take this to be another superficial pop album. Much of it is in what could be refered to as a "Math Rock" kind of style. With drum beats and synthesizers combined in a methodical yet fluid and organic fashion. This record is chock-ful of heartfelt emotion and genuine talent. Sure, they're no Fugazi, but that might not be as terrible as people think."
Why I don't like where they're headed
jersey barrier | fairview heights, ill. | 08/14/2004
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Well, despite songs 7-9 being a little more fleeting and fast-forwardable, this record is a beautiful anomaly. And the fact is I really can't understand where all the Fugazi comparisons come in to the picture; Q And Not U, while recorded by the venerable team of MacKaye/Zientara, lay down their OWN surrealist groundwork. How the guitars seem to claw each other for which gets more of the glory and attention, how you aren't sharply implored to lock the lyrical jigsaw pieces in to a puzzle that makes the best sense, how Davis' and Klahr's voices provide such a great 'Jeckyl and Hyde' ambiance to the whole thing--"No Kill No Beep Beep" is a striking off-ramp from whatever associations others may hand to it on the proverbial silver platter. Q And Not U are the Hunter S. Thompson of punk. The Jello Biafras and the Henry Millers can battle it out on their own time. Insignificant flaws aside, this is a very commendable debut."
Perhaps the greatest indie band ever
spindizzler | Goose Creek | 04/06/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"well thats rephrase that they are the greatest art punk band ever i believe they exceed the Indie label and deserve their own "genre" .... these guys are the friggin shizzie....everything is so awesome. When you listen to this album please do more than that... Feel it live it love it. this is perhaps some of the deepest music ever written and recorded. Good Gravy i cant express how good these guys are its absoluteley amazing"
Is it artsy punk or punky art?
C. L. Mount | Hammond, Louisiana United States | 06/06/2002
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Moody, progressive and cathartic, this is a tight young band. Not just a power-chord heavy post-hardcore group though; these guys know when to restrain and control things."
Killtaker-style music for the anxious post-millenium
C. E. Morrison | fairfax/harrisonburg, va United States | 05/21/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)
"this dischord debut by the DC allstars is almost criminally catchy. from the jerky, caucaphonous guitar breaks on "hooray for humans to the driving beat behind "we [heart] our hive" to the gentle (and almost eeriely serene compared to the rest of the album) "kiss distinctly american," no kill no beep beep is the sort of record you play over and over until your roommate threatens to throw your speakers out a very high window. not that i have personal experience with this or anything.the sound is very reminiscent of some of the more experimental fugazi (think "in on the killtaker") mixed with the off-balanced rhythms of a garage band dismemberment plan -- in the end DC to the core, with messages of anxious observance of pop culture. while not as completely infectious as a live show (which would be even more highly recommended if you can catch them), No Kill No Beep Beep is as strong a release as any dismemberment plan album, and holds its own with the founders of dischord itself. pick this one up."