Surprise Attack Records and I have never had a good relationship. There isn't any sort of beef between us or anything, it's just I always get stoked for their releases only to be left disappointed when I get something. Surprise Attack Records hypes the hell out of their bands and they make it sound like they are going to hear best thing you have ever heard since Cro-Mags or Hot Water Music. They just never live up to hype.
I had great hope for Twenty Four Hours to Live though because I actually did some research before I received We're All Loudmouths in the mail for review. Twenty Four Hours to Live feature ex-members of All Hell Breaks Loose, another Surprise Attack disappointment, but promised to bring back hardcore that reminds the listener of Sick of it All and Youth of Today. Needless to say I was pumped to hear a band that sounds like old NYHC and for the most part We're All Loudmouths does capture the sound of CBGB's Sunday Matinees of past updating the sound with a some sick mosh parts, gang vocals, and some metal guitar wankery.
The seven tracks of We're All Loudmouths race by at quick pace only slowing it down to a mid-paced beat so the kids can two-step or really shifts down tempo to cause some floor clearing exercising via spin-kicks and windmills. Hell even the song "After the Banter" has slower mosh part within a mosh part for maximum brutality. I'm not usually one for "the mosh" but when it's done well it causes me to grin wickedly as I recall the days of my own dance floor fatalities.
The vocals are delivered in an angered high pitched scream that instantly reminds me of Mike Ski of Brother's Keeper fame. However, Twenty Four Hours to Live don't make me want to shove railroad spikes in my ears like Ski's Muppet squashed vocals did. My favorite thing about the lyrics is that not only are they printed but in addition there are short explanations of the songs. God, remember when every hardcore band did that? The seven tracks cover the usual hardcore bases of not giving up, burning bridges, and back stabbers but thankfully none of the songs tackle the heart wrenching topics of ex-girlfriends, hearts being broken, or how their hair looks. Seriously, I've had my fill of that crap.
Surprise Attack Records has finally earned a place in my CD collection with We're All Loudmouths, with is fast songs and great breakdowns it should be in any hardcore kid's collection. If you are fan of old NYHC hardcore I would urge you to sneak out a copy of this because it will probably please your eardrums but also make you cool with the new kids that are all about Comeback Kid and With Honor. Twenty Four Hours to Live bridge the gap between the old school and the new school with surprisingly great results. Mosh the night away kids, whether if it is at a VFW or in your bedroom, mosh away.
Also, nice use of Aquateen Hunger Force sound clips.
