The band's name is pronounced "Male." The title of the EP and its title track are pointed deconstructions of the concept of "male" and "female" and the really dumb ways society implements those concepts.

M(h)aol Gender Studies EP (self-released)

The sound is correctly described as post-punk, which is as useless a description as it was in the 90s. When talking about the Ex, Refused or Bikini Kill (not to mention going back much further to Gang of Four, etc.), the musical connections are tenuous. The attitude connections--and the technical skill of the bands--is obvious. In that way, M(h)aol fits right in. These scathing critiques are snarls of noise and shouts laid on top of an eerily tight rhythm section.

Which is to say that the message is probably more important to the band, but its members did not stint on the music. It is possible to enjoy this for just its aggressive, propulsive nature.

But that would be missing the point. Or points, plural. M(h)aol doesn't preach, but the ideas it presents are probably not easy to hear for some. Post-nothing. This is punk in the finest tradition: Two fingers straight up in the face of a maddening society. Attitudes this strong will not be restrained. One of the most exciting debuts of the year.

Jon Worley