Your mom probably told you one or two billion times in your life that you should never judge a book by its cover. She also might have told you that the first impression you make is a lasting one. Sometimes, even moms can be wrong. Take Lawndale, CA's Looking Up for example. If one came across this CD in the store and saw the black and white images of dead Civil War soldiers on a barren field, one might think that Looking Up is either a grindcore or screamo - the old screamo not the MTV variety screamo - band. It's the type of layout one would relate with a grindcore and screamo band. If you actually bought the CD and listened to the first song, the first impression might be something akin to "Great, another band that builds up all their emotions in one opening track so everyone can sing along. Sweet, but we already have one Modern Life is War, thanks."
Luckily I decided to stick around for tracks two through twelve and found out that Looking Up, in actuality, is a good hardcore band in the sense of a band that plays fast and has astounding breakdowns. As of late, I think I'm in the minority with everyone needing to hear hardcore perfected or innovating by adding keyboards, pop-punk parts, sludge guitars, or whatever else is needed to make hardcore "fresh" or "amazing."
Sorry, hardcore doesn't always have to be jaw dropping innovative, it just needs have fast parts and sweat breakdowns. Looking Up has both and even ups the ante by adding in some really interesting guitar work that sometimes leads to wankery, but doesn't sound out of place. At times Looking Up reminds me if you crossed Outspoken with Over My Dead Body. It's not exactly an equal sum of both parts, as Looking Up's own individuality shines throughout the twelve tracks here on their eponymous debut for Panic Records.
Occasionally, Looking Up gets a bit heavy-handed with the acoustic intro on "Epoch" or the before mentioned overwhelming introduction of "Semper Diem." Furthermore, the vocal styling of Steven can be a bit much. I really can't explain why his vocals can expose some raw nerves. If you want your own auditory equivalent, go find your cat and step on its tail, hard. Ouch. I never did listen to hardcore for the vocals, if I did, I'd probably only like Ignite. Thankfully the caterwauling screaming only hits a couple of glass shattering wails during the disc.
If one can get past the CD layout of the Battle of Shiloh and not judge the band on the first track, Looking Up's self-titled unveiling is a good slab of hardcore, the fast variety with the decent breakdowns, the way hardcore should be played. It's a dying breed out there and when it's done well it should be noticed and appreciated fully by all hardcore listeners. So if you like hardcore, I don't see any reason why you wouldn't like Looking Up.
