Recently I have been digging back into the archives of what I used to listen to years ago ( when I was a kid ). Don't know if its nostalgia, maybe just random recollections or some sense of deja vu but I listened to all these records and still remember the effect they all had on me, even now, years later. Something that very few recent records have done to me. So I thought I would list them as you do on blogs and other social internet things. I ain't trying to sound cool and I know a lot of these arn't cool by any means. But no one is born with the "cool" records and shirts in there collection. Everyone starts somewhere. All these kids that pledge allegiance to Champion and Suicide Silence these days where listening to Billy Talent and Blink 182 a few years ago....like everyone else.
Except me.
Turmoil - The Process Of.... (1999)Just really aggressive and agggro. Its an album that came out at a time when Victory had the metalcore market cornered, but it wasn't on Victory. It just kicks arse. Its dynamic, aggressive, forward thinking, pissed off and outright nasty. Everything a punk record should be. First time I heard this it gave me goosebumps, the opening track " Playing Dead" and its screamed start up do it everytime. Every track sounded so spot on but different as well. You can trace so many influences passing through this album but they all add up to something awesome.
The Get Up Kids - Something To Write Home About (1999)This was the perfect album to accompany my many late night bus/train/taxi rides to and from gigs and practises. it may be wussy in places and sometimes very hand-wringy but the quality of songs speak volumes. Containing more emotion and sincerity in a single track than most bands can muster in a life time is what TGUK's mastered. This album reminds me of so many late nights of thinking and doodling in my pad on public transport.
Downset - Do We Speak A Dead Language (1996)Somewhat forgotten about now but this album managed to bridge that gap between mainstream "Kerrang" metal and the West Coast hardcore sound. As Downset had there gfeet in both camps. On the surface it was a angry, polemic charged release. After many listens the tight ass musicianship shone through.It was the bass playing that got me on this album. It was so precise but simple. A definate influence without doubt.
Orange 9mm - Tragic (1996)More often known as the band that supplied Helmet with a guitarist in there final years first time around. O9mm got the usual RATM tag being a ethnic fronted band applying hip-hop and rap influences to metal/hardcore. But that was really unjustified. I got this album during a long stay in California ina little record store in Las Vegas, it then accompanied me on all my skating trips around the West Coast over those four weeks. Bouncing bass lines and riffs. Its still a good album.
Saves The Day - Through Being Cool (1999)At the same time I loved this album I also loved Converge, Coalesce and Morbid Angel. I saw nothing wrong with that. Chris Conley was certainly ahead of his time as far as song writing was concerned. It was the soudntrack to morning train trips to work on this terrible line between Blackburn and Bolton.
Strife - In This Defiance (1997)One of Victory Records most important albums. Despite being a drinker and smoker, Strife, a hardline, vegan, straightedge band really grabbed my attention. I knew it was all SXE themed and that but the music just had a power and aggression that wasn't really heavy, just empowered with so much emotion and energy that it was impossible to sit still while listening to it. I still can't when it comes on. Check "Blistered" for proof.
Vision Of Disorder - Imprint (1998)My introduction to dirty guitar sounds. By modern standards maybe its not but VOD influenced me no end with "Imprint". The riffing style and song structures stood out so much. They really showed me a thing or to about what could be done with guitars. Many a hour was spent in my bedroom apeing those sounds and riffs. In fact I still look to it for inspiration at times.
Thats what I have been digging. I ain't trying to act cool so don't stress yourself.
