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 | EnsignLove The Music, Hate The Kids2003 Blackout! 
 Review by: FortyMinutesWest See others by this writer ![[staff]](/images/icons/staffsticker.gif){kind=icon}
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Published on January 30th 2004 Cover albums are either hit or miss, either a band takes the songs and adds their own flavor, or they play it note by note and make the whole thing seem pointless. While I would much rather have a new album full of original Ensign songs in my hands right now, “Love The Music, Hate The Kids” is an interesting look at the band covering some of their favorites. Ensign covers all the bases here, with a little something for everyone, covering songs from The Descendents, Sick of it All, Hüsker Dü, Negative Approach, Insted, Discharge, and The Dwarves, amongst others. While listening to these songs you can’t help but feel the love Ensign has for them. It almost reminds me of the first time I learned to play one of my favorite songs, I wanted to play it forever, and show everyone. Ensign shows that same kind of passion on this disc. The first song I had to listen to was track 3, the band’s take on “Anesthesia” by Bad Religion. Ensign brought in Alf from Ex Number 5 to sing the choruses of this song, and his melodic singing coupled with Tim Shaw’s trademark shout create an interesting dynamic. Ensign then proceeds to churn out impressive renditions of two Descendents tracks, “I’m Not A Loser” and “Hurtin’ Crue.” The bands plays these songs with loads of intensity, it’s almost as if they were their own songs. The guys in Ensign apparently consider The Descendents to be the best band ever, and they should rest easily knowing they nailed these songs perfectly. Ensign sets their sights across the sea, to be more specific, the U.K., with Discharge’s “Protest and Survive.” I wasn’t totally sure if they’d be able to hit the solo, but it’s nearly dead on, another home run. The song that interested me the most was Hüsker Dü’s “In A Free Land.” Apparently, this song was learned specifically for this album, but it really doesn’t show. Frank can’t exactly channel Bob Mould, but who can? This leads to my personal favorite song on the disc, “We’ll Make The Difference” originally by Insted. Insted’s shout along classic is resurrected in a slightly beefier version by Tim and crew, but the song remains as powerful as it ever was. This is what a cover album should be, other bands take note. Ensign not only does these songs justice, they breathe new life into them. While song bands seek to destroy the songs they cover, Ensign plays them with genuine respect and admiration. Now that they have this out of the way, let’s hope they can finally put out a new album. People who liked this also liked:        ![S.O.D. - Speak English Or Die [re-issue]](/images/covers/thumb/sod-speak_english_or_die.jpg)   Please login or register to post comments. What are the benefits of having a Punknews.org account?
"The color/art style of the cover reminds me of the Comeback Kid album cover." "Tim Shaw seemed pretty cool when I saw them live, eh." Meh, I make typos here and there, so does everyone. "While song bands seek to destroy the songs they cover, Ensign plays them with genuine respect and admiration." To the person below, yeah ensign aren't gonna sound that great while you're listening to fuck on the beach! That's a given! I just got the Fuck on the Beach / Matka Teresa split 7". Gotta say I about shat my fucking pants when the needle hit that blue wax.... The cover is dumb... People always give me weird looks when I wear my Ensign shirt that reads "I hope everything you ever love dies in your arms". I saw these guys with grade/impossibles/the movie life Ensign was the only band that I really enjoyed! I dont get the album art really. To me its a guy with a guitar trying to smash a kid that looks and is dressed exactly the same. If they wanted to bash the various clans of "scenesters" such as fashioncore and tough guys then why did they put a normal looking guy on the cover? I would have to now call them "elitists". I think they are just as concerned with their image as the people they are bashing. just cause a kid has a fashionhawk or dyed black hair doesnt make him fake. Just because you have been playing hardcore for a long time doesnt make you king hardcore either. Basically im saying your appearance doesnt make you a bad guy. unless you are a goth are you on prazak bsd. I actually read a few things you wrote that made sense "ahh... but do they sound like a band that a bigwig fan would like? even though the two bands themselves don't sound alike?" "man, a straight-edge band (correct me if i'm wrong) doing a Dwarves cover? this is way too loud for me. i listen to alanis morrisete and go on roadtrips while drinking herbal tea. la la la la ensign was one of the first hardcore bands i ever liked. so far that, theyve got my love. Its a sign of good taste covering Negative Approach, Dwarves, Misfits, Hüsker Dü...guess I should check em out...though Negative Approach & Dwarves are untopable Uh if you think covering another band is a symbol that your band is superior... I don't see how... Argh, forget it. Negative Aproach? how dare this band! Ensign will never TOUCH negative approach. weak. I know it's not hard (I mean, I can play it) but Ensign isn't a band that uses solos, so I was curious to see if they could make it sound natural. If that makes any sense. I think Terry Bones's solo is pretty easy. He may have been revolutionary, but his stuff is super easy to play. I don't think anyone is comparing them to Bigwig, just wondering if they'd appeal to the same fanbase. Maybe. forty: come on, it couldn't last forever :) The color/art style of the cover reminds me of the Comeback Kid album cover. That's the show I saw them at. Great show. I saw them a few years back with TSM, at the metro, and they had the whole bottom floor into a circle pit, im serious, not one person was standing around. So any band that can do that is ok in my book. ensign is not (and never has been) an "edge" band. so that one dude's comment is irrelevant. no one mentioned the misfits cover. did they leave it off the final album!? I had the advance a few months ago...Hatebreeders? FUCK Tim Shaw seemed pretty cool when I saw them live, eh. I like Ensign. I actually became a fan of them from the bigwig, suicides machine tour a few years back. Seeing ensign without knowing their music will make you hate the band. Tim Shaw is sooo annoying. I think if you like bigwig's more hardcore songs there is a great possibility you will like ensign....they are pretty much straight rock with a hardcore shout. Its not screaming or yelling, really just shouting. All in all i like them, but they are no bigwig..... Soulbleed's back for a couple weeks and we already disagree on things, go figure. i love ensign, don't get me wrong. they represent jersey like few others do .. but this album sucks ass. ahh... but do they sound like a band that a bigwig fan would like? even though the two bands themselves don't sound alike? They sound nothing like Bigwig, but check out "Cast The First Stone" that's my favorite. I know that Tom Petta from Bigwig really likes this band. I really like Bigwig. Would I like Ensign? If so, what album would people recommend? I saw Ensign a few years ago, and I quote "We're a fuckin' heavy metal band, and I can't sing." "I Will Deny" man, a straight-edge band (correct me if i'm wrong) doing a Dwarves cover? Another good NJ band, and by far the most underrated hardcore band around. All this new school bullshit is getting all this attention but ensign has always been good straight punk hardcore. Ensign rule, but tim shaw needs to preach a little less at shows. Very Very annoying to say the least. Ensign sux! Go bey the nU RanCid disk!!!1 covering dwarves & Hüsker dü shows they have good taste in music Good selection of songs, I must say. I picked this cd as one of my free ones for subcribing to AMP but got the Kill Your Idols cover cd instead. I never complained because the KYI record kicks ass. I really do need to get this, though. There are so many really good Dag Nasty songs to cover, and yet they do "I've Heard", a song that No Use For a Name has already done, and the song that really has the least amount of personality of all of Dag Nasty's songs. "What Sick of it All song/songs did they cover?" They cover the Replacements too! Any album that covers Discharge gets 5 stars in my book. good stuff. can't wait for the new album.. very underrated band i love teh album cover What Sick of it All song/songs did they cover? ensign fucking rocks. I totally agree: They need to put out new album. I love Ensign, but wasn't too fond of this. ditto on the album title. one of the most underrated bands The title of this album is, perhaps, the most articulate thing I have ever read to describe my life and relationship to going to shows. |
