A couple years ago, I would have never guessed that post-hardcore would be on the rise anytime soon. Frontrunners Thursday had gone on indefinite hiatus, and metalcore/deathcore seemed to be taking over the mainstream. Meanwhile, the underground scenes seemed to be gravitating towards more traditional hardcore punk or dbeat. There was also a trend, particularly in the Philly scene, for bands returning to the second wave/midwest emo sounds.
At any rate, here we are a quarter into 2013, and my favorite iteration of post-core is back in full effect. Let's take a minute to look at what may have ushered this in... Last April At The Drive in played Coachella. Texas Is The Reason and Refused also played a number of reunion shows last summer and into this year.
Now, Rival Schools, for those not familiar, were formed in 1999 and are something of a supergroup. Its members cut their teeth in some of the best 90's Revelation Records- era hardcore bands... Walter Schreifels, the vocalist, appeared as the singer of Quicksand and guitarist/songwriter in Gorilla Biscuits. Sam Seigler, the drummer, played in CIV, and also in Youth of Today with Schreifels. Their bassist (Tolman) was a former member of Iceburn as well. Schreifels also did a solo album and an indie rock side project.
Back in 2002, the band practically was for all intents and purposes, broken up after losing second guitarist Ian Love. Rumors began flying around about a "lost" second album. Although I never heard them, some if not all of these lost tracks were distributed on file sharing networks at that time. Apparently someone at Island records was responsible for the leak. After the band reunited in 2011 and released Pedals, which flew under the radar, we finally get to hear the "true" second album, which is the exciting, official release of these lost tracks.
Although this is a remaster, the band has stated that this did not receive the same polish or development as the other, more proper albums, I find this rough-around-the-edges aspect appealing. Schreifels' vocal chords seem a little raspier, and the music a little more unhinged, especially in the first few tracks. In my opinion, this type of music should not become overly refined. What I appreciate most on Found is that you just don't hear music like this any longer. I was sold upon hearing the opening track... but it's not just nostalgia... these songs stand on their own, and the album even contains a cover song, "Why Can't I Touch It," from the enduring Buzzcocks.
If you are even vaguely into anything calling itself post-hardcore, give this a chance via the stream below and check out the lyrics (via Brooklyn Vegan) ...you won't be disappointed. For existing fans in the know, this ultimately compelling album demonstrates the transition from United by Fate to 2011's Pedals.
Review Score: 4.0/5
No comments:
Post a Comment