the first step

open hearts and clear minds

'File under generic. See also: pointless, waste of: time, energy, money, effort.

First things first, just because it's faster, that doesn't mean it's better. Take Pennywise for example. If you listen to any old Bad Religion vinyl recorded at 33 rpm (generally speaking, the older the better, and "Suffer" is top of the list) and play it at 45 rpm. The result would be quite comparable to the sounds of Pennywise. It sounds awkward, rushed, and forced. There's no need for it. Of course, if the intent is to show off your masculinity, then you might as well drop your drawers and take advantage of the cover art photography. Instead, this album's cover is packed with the run of the mill hardcore singer, in the pit, reaching out and singing to his undying legions of hardcore fans.

On the surface, the music on this album is like that of H2O's "Thicker than Water". There is not much deeper then that, though. Therein lies the problem.

One quick look at the lyrics will show you that this is a bunch of straightedge kids in it for the scene. "When the kids are united?" It's the world the likes of Kevin Seconds and Ray Cappo preached so fervently that the message became immune to the masses once the fans started turning the ripe old age of twenty-something.

Of course, there are valuable lessons that can be learned from songs with social justice underpinnings but that message is much more succinct and infinitely clearer in most old folk songs. People like Phil Ochs and Woodie Guthrie were well-educated activists who had an intellectual and informed message to spread. They were not just blindly screaming "Don't kill animals because that is bad," because they remember hearing Propagandhi sing "Meat is still murder. Dairy is still rape" In this case, the intent is there but there is no semblance of information from educated informers.

Shy of the straight-from-the-depths-of-hell roaring scream, which can be effective if done well or in moderation (ie. Boy Sets Fire, Coalesce, Refused) The First Step seems to be your typical post-emo, screamo, metal, straightedge punk whatever band in a successive lineage of groups whose names sound like they would make great short stories for Shirley Jackson's readers (ie. The Casket Lottery, Dillinger Escape Plan, Further Seems Forever).

In summation, this album sends out a generic message from a generic band playing generic music to an indistinguishable see of generic faced fans draped in black from head to toe with XXX tattoos and too small tees.