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Sick Of It All

Life On The Ropes (2003)
Fat Wreck Chords

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

Published on September 9th 2003

Wow, this is definitely not something I expected from Sick Of It All. The kings of NYHC have returned with their latest release, but they have taken a completely different path. Gone are the screamed vocals, replace with more emotive singing. The basic core of the band has remained the same, but they added keyboards and cellos to the mix. As shocking as this may sound, it seems that this recording is aimed at the Saddle Creek crowd.

Just kidding. Sick Of It All have returned with their new full-length, “Life on the Ropes”, which in my opinion is better than their most recent material. Don’t get me wrong, I liked “Yours Truly” as much as the next guy, but it seemed to be missing a bit of the intensity of their earlier records. I’m not sure if it was the production or what it was, but that album didn’t kick my ass the same way their other stuff does. Things are different this time around, as right from the beginning this album has a much rawer feel to it. “Relentless” is the perfect way to start things, as this song hits harder than anything on their last album. The rest of the album just seems to fly by after that. I’d have to say that my favorite track on here is “Paper Tiger (Fakin’ the Punk)”. It’s a song about people exploiting the scene and using it as a stepping stone; I know you’re thinking that this has all been done before, and it has; but that doesn’t stop this song from being very engaging. “Once there was a reason, once there was a soul, now just a paper tiger, roaring at the mall.”

Just because this album is a bit harsher than their last release doesn’t mean it’s completely bereft of melody, as showcased by the song “For Now”. “For Now” is the quintessential Sick Of It All sing along, I can’t help but imagine this song becoming a live favorite in the future. The lyrics take a politically/socially critical bent, which isn’t really much of a surprise, but it just demonstrates a band’s longevity when they can write about similar issues but still do it very well every time. I never get tired of hearing Lou Koller spill his guts about things he genuinely believes in.

If you like anything they’ve done in the past, there should be no reason for you not to enjoy this album. This band along with Ensign got me into hardcore in the first place, so they’ll always have a special place in my heart, if you’re interested in hardcore at all you need to own this.

Relentless MP3

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Anonymous (September 23, 2003)

"And the artwork? C'mon boys you've been a band for how long now? "

Your a moron. The artwork is freakin amazing.

Anonymous (September 14, 2003)

YO DUUUHHHHH.......
SOIA'S THE SHIIIT DUUUDE.......
THIS IS REALLY BAD.........

Anonymous (September 11, 2003)

dubar what do you mean the past couple decades

Anonymous (September 11, 2003)

I wonder if that was really Jay down there, or just some asshole attempting to make fun of him, because he's in the only band better than Sick Of It All.
That being said, it's true that SOIA are my second favorite band, and this album is fuckin' awesome.
Best tracks:
Relentless, Paper Tiger, Shit Sandwich (or as i call it "Clobberin' Time 2")

Anonymous (September 11, 2003)

I never liked this dopey NYC band.
Next please!

funkisdead (September 10, 2003)

they're almost as good as the psychadelic furs.
ahem
i saw soia in vienna and their roadie got into a huge brawl with a bunch of guys. pretty fucking cool.

funkisdead (September 10, 2003)

this score is for people who read alternative press.

Anonymous (September 9, 2003)

the score is for using the same joke as Alternative Press when they talked about em in the September issue.

you guys are better than that!

TahoeJeff (September 9, 2003)

Another great album..2003 is the year of great albums

Dubar (September 9, 2003)

This album is just as good as all their others. You shouldnt expect less from these guys. One of the best and most consistent bands out there. I liked Yours Truly a tad bit better, but in the past couple decades SOIA is one of the only bands who has never ever come close to disappointing me.

FortyMinutesWest (September 9, 2003)

*of, damnit

sickboi (September 9, 2003)

I could play "Fakin' the punk" on repeat for hours. Hardest fucking song this year.

FortyMinutesWest (September 9, 2003)

Eh, I wasn't really thinking off the Mest review when I wrote this. I couldn't think of an intro so I decided to have a little fun with it.

Anonymous (September 9, 2003)

You scared me there for a second...

...evildeadalive

TheOneTrueBill (September 9, 2003)

still grooving to Pennywise (shut it) and haven't gotten to this yet, but I will say i'm fucking amped up for it.

Anonymous (September 9, 2003)

read mest's self-titled review. it was well written with sacarsm oozing at the seams.

Ramo
(mest however still stinks)

Anonymous (September 9, 2003)

wait, what mest review?

Anonymous (September 9, 2003)

along with madball, best nyhc band still going which have remained true after all these years. anyone heard the newer agnostic stuff? wow,poop.

Anonymous (September 9, 2003)

Way to rip off the Mest review.

HeyBarmold (September 9, 2003)

You know, I didn't believe your first paragraph for a second. However, i was thinkin, in todays world, i wouldn't put it past almost any band to do something like that. almost any band. maybe pennywise.

but not sick of it all

unconcerned (September 9, 2003)

I'd say this is very middle of the road

It's no Built to Last, it's not anywhere near Scratch The Surface, and it couldn't even touch the last couple of SOIA releases on fat.

And the artwork? C'mon boys you've been a band for how long now?

Hardcore-Softexterior (September 9, 2003)

Heh, I was reading the first paragraph and I was like 'wtf' SOIA album are you listening to? Good review and dead on, but to sickboi, album of the year goes to Paint it Black - CVA imo...

Anonymous (September 9, 2003)

haha. 1st paragraph had me going for a second. anyways, soia kick ass.

eyeball_kid (September 9, 2003)

Class first paragraph. It's good, but I don't think them doing what they've always done deserves album of the year. Built to last is me favourite.

sickboi (September 9, 2003)

Shitty score, album of the year, fuckers.

Anonymous (September 9, 2003)

bleh, the mest review was better.

plutocracy (September 9, 2003)

I really thought you were serious until i read "just kidding".

Anonymous (September 9, 2003)

haha, 'saddle creek crowd'.

Anonymous (September 9, 2003)

Had you rated this lower than Pennywise I would begin to have serious doubts...

jheisel (September 9, 2003)

this score is for the first paragraph. if you'd bullshitted the entire review, it'd be a 10.

Anonymous (September 9, 2003)

this album is awesome boss

Anonymous (September 9, 2003)

Jason Navarro: SsssssssIiiiiiiCcccccccKkkkkkkk

Anonymous (September 9, 2003)

ensign and sick of it all rule all even yours truly (which I loved to death). Looks like I gotta stop listening to my friends promo and buy this sucka.

Ramo