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Far From Breaking

The Identity (2003)
Youngblood

Reviewer Rating:

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

Published on December 12th 2003

Whenever I see an ‘X’ on someone’s hand at a hardcore show, and I see a ton of them, I ask to look at their opposite paw. If I ever find one with an ‘O’ on it I pledge to give them all my money. You see, kisses and hugs are what the hardcore scene needs, especially the straight edge scene.

Far From’s one-sheet says The Identity is “all about playing with your hood up in 110-degree weather”, and I’d love to see a hardcore band that doesn’t look like angry jocks with hooded sweatshirts and songs that sound exactly like the ones they listened to before band practice. The Identity as an album is a clattering, annoying, foolish, amateurish wasted effort. This pointless band has no Identity to call their own, and Chain of Strength are in a room somewhere frowning at what they’ve accidentally unleashed on all ages clubs everywhere: raving jock-core.

Talk about hypocrites, here’s some lyrics to the title track: “You’re only into this for the social fame, define yourself by the trends you claim.”

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Anonymous (January 26, 2004)

an obvious joke below

Anonymous (December 26, 2003)

fucking great review. its true!

FortyMinutesWest (December 16, 2003)

What Happens Next is a great band, a friend of mine got me into them, and he pretty much shares the same views as them. He's one of the only straight edgers I know who will actually hold my beer for me.

Anonymous (December 16, 2003)

Hey, there is a good straight edge band out there y'know. They are called What Happens Next. Heard of them? 3/4 of the members are sXe, but they are totally accepting of everyone no matter what their personal choices. They have a song off the "StandfastarmageddonJusticeFighter" LP called "To define, not divide" and its all about this.
"You made your choice, and I've made mine...but we can still stand together side by side!"
or this one
"I've taken it back, that old X on my hand, it's more than two little words that describe just who I am!"

This is the kind of sXe stuff i get down to- not osctracizing those who share different viewpoints, but instead welcoming each as individuals.

-Ken

Anonymous (December 15, 2003)

Old school hardcore is great. Just when it was made in the old school era.

-BSD

GreenVandal (December 15, 2003)

Well I never heard it...but i wasnt specifically talkin about this band. Just ands in general really...

Im completely sick of old school straight edge hardcore though, so I think ill pass.

FortyMinutesWest (December 15, 2003)

The thing I don't get is how the reviewer calls this jockcore. This isn't some metal-tinged moshcore band. This is just as a band that plays old school hardcore, and does it very well. There are songs about straight edge, but there isn't any posturing or random screams of "STRAIGHT EDGE! TILL I DIE!"(cough, Throwdown, cough) Most of the lyrics are fairly positive, and never stray into the realm of "you broke edge, so Im going to kick your ass." I don't think the reviewer could be any more wrong, and most of the people commenting don't own the album/never heard the album. If I didn't have it I'd probably never bother listening to it after reading this review, because I'd think it was a tough guy hardcore band, but this couldn't be any further from the truth.

GreenVandal (December 15, 2003)

Well there is a huge difference between wearing a studded bracelet and making every facet of your music and appearance revolve around a single predetermined idea.

Like X's on hands with songs about straight edge, how edge you are, and how they will never not be edge.

Everything is about appearance in a way...its just when the image bullshit out wieghs the music substance...well then you have got a problem.

Davey used to just wear a devil lock and occasionally throw in a danzig wail. Now...heh, you know now.

Anonymous (December 14, 2003)

Rather it is or not is up to you guys... But, personally, image has nothing to do with music. May I remind you, Refused played dress up, Vandal. There's no such thing as not having an image... By wearing the clothes you had on before you went on stage, you're pushing "civillian" clothing...

-BSD

inagreendase (December 14, 2003)

"oh yeah is anyone ever gonna review Cauterize?"

Scott already did.

GreenVandal (December 14, 2003)

The hives seem to think it is.

Anonymous (December 14, 2003)

worst review ever, this man should never ever be allowed to review again. small and shallowminded! these guys happened to throw the best show live, and fucking worked their ass off for something they believed in. so eat a dick, and open your eyes. fucker...
or should i say, PIG FUCKER!

oh yeah is anyone ever gonna review Cauterize? or cause they're on major label, they arent punk? oh wait... neither are you

Anonymous (December 14, 2003)

Except with AFI. And I only like Street Punk to an extent... Crass Peace Punk and political hardcore almost always win the bout for my CD player against street punk. And unless you count dressing in all black as a big fashion statement...

-BSD

GreenVandal (December 14, 2003)

I like old AFI BSD. You like street punk. You dont get more fashionable then those chaps.

Anonymous (December 14, 2003)

You like AFI, Vandal.

-BSD

GreenVandal (December 13, 2003)

This review has good intentions, but is still shitty. Reviewers with agendas piss me off almost as much as bands with images.

Anonymous (December 13, 2003)

hahahah, that guy below me is a genius, i love sarcasm....

as i loved this review!

i don't mind straight edge people as long as they don't care that i'm not one of them, which is extremely rare.....

Anonymous (December 13, 2003)

Fukk you punx who are nothing but fag drunks. You dudes can't seem to get that the drugs and shit is just a tool of the man to keep us in place, man. I live to my full potential by not doing drugs and show it off rippin it up in the pitt!1. Fuck you faggot drunks, I'll mosh you into the fukken gutterz!

xOix xOix xOix!!1

-xZerox

Anonymous (December 13, 2003)

This review sucks. Nothing innovative with this release, yeah probably, but I think it's not what they wanted to do in the first place.
Now, go on and write some songs about hugs and kisses...

-Adam

Anonymous (December 12, 2003)

This record wants to make me sniff coke.

Anonymous (December 12, 2003)

Jeeze, this review sucks. And I hate straight edge. Make fun of the shitty music, not the freaking ethics. The Bad Brains were total homophobes and they made classic stuff.

-BSD

boba_fett (December 12, 2003)

haha! the reviewer hates straight edge! haha! so do i... fuck.

funkisdead (December 12, 2003)

i dont think this record is anywhere near as poor as you make it out to be.

did we really need another review of this record? to save you the trouble of answering...NO.

FortyMinutesWest (December 12, 2003)

Haha, it was that very shirt. That had better be caffeine free coke, otherwise they're in trouble.

Anonymous (December 12, 2003)

Yeah, I want that Coca-Cola sXe shirt, mainly for shits and giggles...

-sickboi

FortyMinutesWest (December 12, 2003)

Yeah, I'm about as far from edge as you can get, but I still like some straight edge hardcore. I was actually going to wear my friend's straight edge shirt for the picture, but he wasn't around so I couldn't get it.

Anonymous (December 12, 2003)

That cracks me up 4T, after seeing that pic of you and the keg.....

-sickboi

FortyMinutesWest (December 12, 2003)

Well, I don't know the band personally so I can't say. But I do have this CD and I enjoy it. That said, the reviewer has the right to whatever opinion he chooses to have, even if I disagree.

Fuzzy (December 12, 2003)

Stellar review.

Anonymous (December 12, 2003)

I don't know Forty, the way I read this was basically that this band tries more to maintain an image, than actually create quality music.

-sickboi

FortyMinutesWest (December 12, 2003)

Well, know we know how you feel about straight edge and jocks(way to take a stand on such a controversial issue). Too bad you spent more time whining about the band's ethics than you did talking about the actual music.

Anonymous (December 12, 2003)

up, that is.
-J

Anonymous (December 12, 2003)

talk about hypocrites...this band broke..
right?
-Janelle

Anonymous (December 12, 2003)

You are one of my new favorite reviewers. Brilliant.

-sickboi