|
Review Navigator   FeaturesContestsReviews
| The First StepOpen Hearts and Clear Minds2002 LiveWire 
 Review by: moldy See others by this writer LiveWire Records (link) Only registered users can post comments 
 Published on February 11th 2003
After listening to the First Step’s album Open Hearts and Clear Minds, I took the first step to the used record store to see how much I could get for this, and then take another first step to the liquor store to try and forget this album. This album was nothing more than generic straight edge hardcore that sounds exactly like a cross between Minor Threat and SS Decontrol (both of whom I like) with songs about being straight edge and not liking violence. To me this is just boring, first there is no shred of creativity in the music, I could predict each chord change, drum beat and gang vocal the first time I listened to it. The songs had very predictable topics about being edge, not liking violence and not eating meat. About the only thing on this album I liked was after the 10 songs proper there was a short live set recorded at CBGBs which included a (surprise surprise) Minor Threat cover. It’s sad when a live cover is the best thing on your cd. Another thing and this just isn’t this band, but in the booklet what’s with only giving the lyrics to 5 damn songs. What about the other songs, either include all of them or none of them, or don’t make the choruses bold we know that you’re going to shout them.
Please login or register to post comments. What are the benefits of having a Punknews.org account?
i thought this review was about the music, not just the messages and opinions it gets across. worst review ever. I don't mind sXe kids who do their own thing, and make that choice on their own AT ALL. If I did then I would be excluding a lot of my friends who completely awesome, however I can't stand drunks that preach to me or wanna kick me out of a party over smoking a bowl. I don't drink, I don't eat red meat, don't give my money to the tobacco companies, and you should not give a shit that I choose the herb. It's not like I'm gunna criticize you over your choices. But whatever, the album actually isn't half bad at all, btw. Hilarious. Fuck man, I'm with you! GT forever... My arnt you the tough guy, typing in all bold too, man im scared now please dont come and beat me up Guess you're a fan of Bold, eh? Eh? Eh? It works on two levels! C'mon! nice review faggot. Get a clue about hardcore. good point. "Drinking is pointless, there's nothing wrong with it, but it's pointless.....it's like playing a video game...sure it's kind of fun and you waste a few hours doing it, but does it have a point? No." christ, who invited the first step crew? whats all this shit about how it all needs to be "original" and how its too "generic"?? What you're saying is that once one style of music is done, you should just move on and find something else to do? I'm pretty sure this band is just playing a style of music that they like and enjoy playing. The lyrics aren't preachy at all, and in fact there's not a time where any of those dudes have called anyone out for not being straight edge. They have plenty of friends who drink, do drugs, and who arent vegetarian and they dont judge any of them for doing so. These are just 4 guys who like to play hardcore and have fun. They're not trying to make a difference, they just choose to write lyrics about something that means a lot to them and something thats inspired them to be who they are. "What the fuck have you done?" who reviewed this? does this butt nugget listen to saves the gay all day long? man you suck! high fives and stage dives, if it ain't broke don't fix it! this 7" is sooo good. watch out for the crew! best band in hardcore right now. THE END. your taste fuckin sucks! dude, you like Less Than Jake. enough said. your comments are therefore invalid. sXe is as dumb as Anti-Flag. Drinking is pointless, there's nothing wrong with it, but it's pointless.....it's like playing a video game...sure it's kind of fun and you waste a few hours doing it, but does it have a point? No. The only difference is that beer can actually fuck you up physically. What's more fun than getting wasted? I don't know......having lots of sex with a hot babe, working out, actually being sober enough to REMEMBER an awesome concert, doing something worth while (like going to the anti-war marches on Saturday), or going for a long walk. I don't see what the big deal is, I used to drink every weekend, it just loses it's edge after a while and it really is pointless. Nothing wrong with it though, if you like it then great, just stating my two cents. I'm as straight as the line that you snort up your nose, and I'm as hard as the booze that you swill down your throat. The reviewer is a moron. If you don't like straight edge as a life style and don't enjoy some good ol youthcrew...Why bother listening?? This review is filled with the most ridiculous assumptions and flat out shittalk. Same goes for almost everything posted beneath me....live your fuckin life how you want, but don't go bashing on alternative lifestyles Straight edge is a PERSONAL choice. As soon as you start to preach it to others, you become just as stupid as the people that tell me that I'll love Ekoostik Hookah if I get stoned. is it just me, or do the sXe kids on here sound like complete idiots? "What's the point of drinking? It tastes like shit, it makes you feel shitty (unless your wasted, and you DO feel shitty unless you get laid)" There is nothing wrong with doing drugs and drinking. NOTHING! But you would be in better condition without them. What's the point of drinking? It tastes like shit, it makes you feel shitty (unless your wasted, and you DO feel shitty unless you get laid). I mean, there's nothing wrong with any of it. I think all of it should be legal (heroin, marijuana, everything) I figure if you wanna do it then why stop you, you're only hurting yourself. I'd rather be homeless than in a dead end job that I hate for the rest of my life, making only enough to survive. I had that problem at one time, but thankfully I finally made enough cash to go to college and pursue my hopes and dreams. It's not as easy as you assume. I've been looking for a better job for awhile now, but have had no luck. I also like your little spin on the situation. "Smother it with booze" isn't exactly what I do. I drink a few times a week to have a good time and relax. There is nothing for me to be ashamed of here, there is also nothing that you should be so proud of here. Choosing not to drink isn't especially impressive, if it makes you happy then go for it, otherwise I think drugs and alcohol have their place. If your life is in the gutter and your job sucks then CHANGE IT! Don't smother yourself in booze. Truthfully, I don't really like giving my money to beer and cigarette companies. But, I need something to keep my sanity from having a sucky job and the everyday bullshit of life. Call me weak or whatever, but I can make exceptions for certain things. I feel kinda stupid signing this comment board without ever having heard any music by the band, but I just wanted to say that I think whether a person decides to drink, smoke, eat meat, fuck, or anything else is really up to them. I don't think it should bother anyone else. What a person does (or doesn't do) is their choice, and to try to force your opinions would be completely ridiculous. Just take a step back and look at how stupid it makes you look. Live your life, and let these guys live theirs. Chill out. Go get drunk or something. I really don't think I'd be in better shape. I was a pretty violent guy before I started drinking & smoking. I guess I'm a sell out then. I wouldn't say so, I bet you'd be in ten times better shape if you didn't do that shit. And why do it? You're just being a slave for the system. Your selling yourself out everytime you knock one back.But it doesn't matter, I wish all drugs were legal.....it would end alot of the violent crime surrounding them. I drink, I smoke, I'm in great shape. The only time I run out of breath is when my bong hoot is too big. I also know how to spell poison. Smoking, Drinking and eating meat lead to good times? Yeah, if you like puking, being fat, out of shape and struggling to breathe. You moron. I do agree with the fucking part though, you gotta have some sex. For me straight edge doesn't mean what most people think it does, it's become some cult mobement and it's annoying. To me, and Ian MacKaye (lol), it's just a healthy way to live, not a fuckin' movement. You can have fun and fuck MUCh hotter chicks if you put down that jack daniels poisen, quit eating that beefy garbage and get i the gym and workout. Fuck man, just use your head, that's what punk's about- using your head. Not sure about this band though, I hate generic shit, even though I love both Minor Threat and many of their followers. I'll have to check it out and see for myself. Instead of the GT, just draw an O. I've been doing it for a year now. |
