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I've been getting a lot of hardcore lately, but Paint It Black
has become the new yard stick by which I measure all the rest. Paying
a well desearved nod to old-school hardcore such as Minor Threat
and older New Model Army, PIB infuses a plethora of lessons-learned
from the past to create an instant classic for the future. Veering more
to the DC school of rock thanks to producer J. Robbins, the album
is full of anthems and quick-witted melodic guitar changes that bring
excellent pay-offs.
Guitars get the most exposure on the record as Robbins accurately gives
them the most bang for the buck, micro-managing the transitions and sound
effects for each song, so there is not the feel of repetition common to
most hardcore albums. Bass and drums lose space in the sound, a worthy
sacrifice for the whole, but a careful discerning ear can tell that both
players are no amateurs, as they hold their own in the constant barrage
of music. Vocals have to walk a specific line for me; they have to be
pertinent and direct while carrying good melodic lines. All these requirements
were met and exceeded, with the addition of some excellent hooks, and
sparingly used backings that emphasized - without overbearing - the songs
they were in.
A solid effort, Paradise hits all the right chords maintaining
a strict hardcore edge but varying the minor influences to create something
different.
-bishop
Track listing:
1) Election Day
2) Pink Slip
3) Exit Wounds
4) Ghosts
5) The New Brutality
6) Athiests In Foxholes
7) Nicaragua
8) Labor Day
9) Burn The Hive
10) Panic
11) Angel
12) The Pharmacist
13) 365
14) Memorial Day
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