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Various

New.Old.Rare [US version] (2003)
Fueled By Ramen Records

Reviewer Rating:

Contributed by: Adam
(others by this writer | submit your own)

Published on January 28th 2003

I really want a Blueline Medic record.
That’s the only lasting impression that this four way split leaves on me.

I really don’t feel ashamed saying that I’ve never heard Midtown before, despite their popularity these days. Their new song here is “Become What You Hate” off last year’s “Living Well Is The Best Revenge.” You can instantly tell why the band is so popular; its easily digestible pop-punk that rocks just a –bit- more than their contemporaries… and yeah… the chorus was stuck in my head all morning. Their old song “Easy Way Out” is forgettable and their acoustic (and therefore rare) rendition of “Get It Together” doesn’t do much for me.

Recover bewilders me. I was in love a few of their tracks prior to their last full length, but they turned out to be less of a hardcore band and more in line with the “screamo” (call it what you will) that’s become so popular lately. That being said their new song “Fracture” is good but not enough to sway my opinion. The old / rare tracks are “Unnatural” and “Not A Word.” The former is competent but the later was unreleased for a reason.

I have a hard time deciding what to think of Australia’s Silent*Corporation (known as Secondbest in their homeland). Their new song “Don’t Look Back” seems to temper the band’s catchy punk sound with a bit of post-hardcore. It’s hard to describe, but it’s good. Their old offering “Trapped In Me” is far less inspired and their live track “New Direction” was average.

Blueline Medic however… wow… why haven’t I been listening to this band? Their new song “Precious Things” is a Tori Amos cover that completely makes the album. It’s an awesome opener and the best track here. Their old and rare tracks, “Cathedral” and “They’ll Let You Know”, are not too shabby either.

Pick this up if you’re a fan of the bands involved and want those rare tracks, but the new Blueline Medic song is the real gem here.

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newjackshit (February 3, 2003)

recover fuckin owns. the 5 song ep on fiddler is genius. fuck midtown. how are you going to be on a major label for like 5 years and NEVER get even a small venue headlining tour? they played support tours for their whole career...i guess they didn't get the memo...oh wait, their label dropped them. blueline medic is allright...silent*corp....sounds like everything else. recover owns.

Anonymous (February 1, 2003)

http://www.emplanemusic.com

I think it's funny that a new Netherlands based recordlabel kicks FBR's ass (in FBR's native country!) to release a song long before they do, and then FBR promoting the release with "with the new highly anticipated Blueline Medic version of Precious Things" :-)

Anonymous (February 1, 2003)

Does anybody knows if "Emplane Music" has a site?

Anonymous (February 1, 2003)

silent corporation used to be called secondbest, theyve come to melbourne about 4 times now and are back this week with snuff, im personally a big fan. i agree on blueline medic they have been at it for ages and are finally getting the respect they deserve for their great music. go the aussies on this split its good to see aussie talent recognised overseas from two great australian bands.

Anonymous (January 31, 2003)

This is funny because these bands, especially Blueline Medic, have been around and doing good things in Australia for years and now all you Americans (I don't know how many of you are) are catching on, which is a good thing for you and a good thing for the bands. Its weird though, because Silent Corporation haven't really done much in Australia except play their local scene in Sydney. I think they've only toured a couple of times, and have only been to Melbourne once. It's strange that they're on a comp with such popular bands.

Anonymous (January 30, 2003)

Yeah that Emplane compilation rocks!

Steve

Anonymous (January 29, 2003)

www.mp3.com/bluelinemedic

www.mp3.com/silentcorporation

Anonymous (January 29, 2003)

"Their new song “Don’t Look Back” seems to temper the band’s catchy punk sound with a bit of post-hardcore. It’s hard to describe, but it’s good."

is there anywhere i can download this song or something else from the band?, ive never heard of em before.

Anonymous (January 28, 2003)

Not a Word was released on the bands 4-song demo. And it's amazing. I doubt this is the same recording, but it doesn't matter because it's such a good song. People who think otherwise are wrong or dead. Or both.

Anonymous (January 28, 2003)

Every review of this split is saying that the "new" Blueline Medic song is the only real rocking song on this disc. Then don't be stupid to buy this cd and check out Emplane Music's "Time Flies By" compilation which was already released in late 2002 and features the same song! So you'll get that fucking song on a fucking disc for way fucking lesser money and you have an awesome compilation with Acceptance, The Stereo, Christiansen, Counterfit, Staring Back, The Goodwill, Filmmaker, Coheed and Cambria....
Still wondering why you should not buy this split but that awesome comp? There is a previously unreleased acoustic Midtown track on it which rocks harder than the one on this split...
Go check it out yourself

http://www.interpunk.com/default.cfm?show=54012