Q And Not U: X-Polynation/Book Of Flags

Q And Not U were never likely to be die-hard Dischord fans' favourites; with their stuttering post-punk rhythms and fractured, semi-squealed call-and-response vocals, they were always the chalk to the substantial chunk of cheese that comprised much of the label's roster. This double A-side initially suggests little has changed at chez U: 'X-Polynation' isn't particularly different from the more upbeat moments of last album 'Different Damage'. No bad thing, obviously, but 'Book Of Flags' is something else entirely. It's the sound of Q And Not U having a party, and comes on like No Kill, No Beep Beep-era material jostling with feather-wearing belly dancers at the Rio Carnival. It's everything the Brooklyn punk-funk scenesters could never be: a critical success and a dancefloor riot. A false ending three minutes in kind of spoils things - the song then restarts only to fade out - but Q And Not U wouldn't be quite as charming without such quirks. A great summertime single.