The Men – Buyer Beware [LP Red]

When you gonna stop running? The Men demand to know in the opening line of Pony, the blistering first track and lead single from the New York rock quartets forthcoming album, Buyer Beware. Make no mistakethis is no sign of an existential crisis, but rather a call to arms for a band that has never stood still for very long. By their own count, Buyer Beware is their 15th album since their debut We Are The Men (2009), and their 4th for Fuzz Club following New York City (2023), Fuzz Club Sessions No. 20 (2023), and Manhattan Fire (2024). But this doesn’t count the limited tapes (like Live in Zagreb), singles or splitsso you might as well stop trying to count. The Men have a work ethic as old school as their rock roots, yet despite the hustle they never appear to be rushing, a contradiction that somehow naturally resolves itself through their music, reconciling with Zen-like balance the raw fury of punk rock with the minimalist austerity of Steve Reich (or, outside of music, Mark Rothko).

Buyer Beware marks The Mens fifth collaboration with recording engineer Travis Harrison (Guided by Voices, Built to Spill) who, at this point, is finely attuned to the nuances of the groups dynamicsNick Chiericozzi (guitar/vocals), Kevin Faulkner (bass), Mark Perro (guitar/vocals), and Rich Samis (drums). Recording direct to tape, Harrison captures the raw, confrontational fever of their stage shows without sacrificing their introspective undercurrents. The result is undoubtedly their most aggressive album since Leave Home (2011), and their most psychedelic since Immaculada (2010). But ‘Buyer Beware’ is no mere return to their rootsThe Men have always moved forward while remaining true to themselves. A clarion call for troubled times signaled by its title, Buyer Beware finds The Men tackling questions both personal and political, their sound and vision never more primal or apocalyptic.

Tracklist:

1. Pony
2. At The Movies
3. Buyer Beware
4. Fire Sermon
5. PO Box 96
6. Charm
7. Black Heart Blue
8. Nothing Wrong
9. Control
10. Dry Cycle
11. The Path
12. Tombstone
13. Get My Soul

UPC: 5060978394964
Label: Fuzz Club Ltd
Release Date: 2.28.25
Format: Vinyl