Split releases are a breed that can be difficult to review. Do I review each band's portion separately, or do I give the entire release one score? It's a tough call, but I think you have to treat each split album differently. This time around, mostly for Legs Up sake, I am going to review these two bands apart from each other.
Legs Up play along the lines of fast-paced hardcore popularized recently by the likes of American Nightmare and The Hope Conspiracy, so it's not surprising that their six tracks were recorded at Atomic Studios. Perhaps it is time that has worn me down, but the more I hear bands play music in this style, the more appreciative I am of it. Instead of simplistic song-structures of beatdown hardcore bands with their chunky breakdowns, Legs Up relies on the drum work. The standout track from this NY quintet is "Get Awesome," which they do in fact do. I admit Legs Up surprised me quite a bit and therefore I give them the bodacious score of 4.5/5.
Early on My War show signs of trending towards fast-paced music, but in addition to their rapid punk/hardcore mix they incorporate chaotic metal. It is this slight experimentation with metal that dooms them. The potential for short and sweet old school hardcore songs was there, but alas My War ruined it. For this, I am quite upset with them. These six songs do absolutely nothing for me. Cancel that. They gave me a headache. My War gets a dreadful score of 0.5/5
This split is not unlike Two-Face's coin. One side is nice and shiny, the other is scratched all to hell. It's a shame that Legs Up couldn't release this as an EP on their own, for I quite enjoy it. I'm still not sure who would enjoy My War, likely those hard of hearing.
