High School Football Heroes

High School Football Heroes: Close Only Counts In Horseshoes & HandgrenadesClose Only Counts In Horseshoes & Handgrenades (2004)
Ska and Reggae

Reviewer Rating: 3

User Rating:

Contributed by: InaGreendaseBrian
(others by this writer | submit your own)
Published on July 23rd 2004After a pair of demos and a split EP, the High School Football Heroes have finally managed to complete a decent half-hour of skankworthy tunes on one compact disc. Close Only Counts in Horseshoes and Hand Grenades proves that the band is more than capable of achieving both upstroke-laced, somewha.

After a pair of demos and a split EP, the High School Football Heroes have finally managed to complete a decent half-hour of skankworthy tunes on one compact disc.

Close Only Counts in Horseshoes and Hand Grenades proves that the band is more than capable of achieving both upstroke-laced, somewhat-more traditional ska parts and halfway-punk-influenced rock with horns. Their horn usage is definitely implemented well when used. The brass opens "Beat of a Rythmless Drum" with some front-line power, while its following track, "Lost Generation," has the horn section complementing the flow perfectly, and there's a nice punch in "Black and Red."

I'm not asking for a squeaky-clean sound, but the production could've served this album much better. The vocals often seem flat and the harmonizing is awkward and off-place, even though the slow-paced chant of "You break me slowly / you still control me / but I still care" in "Believer" should have any live crowd shouting every word. Whereas normally you could argue "well, it exposes their raw energy, and that's what makes it great," it seems like all their power and energy is actually buried under the monotone-like sound. Either way, this would be a better record if there was more depth in the production.

For a debut, this isn't a bad album at all, but their next could easily have bolder choruses, more engaging songs as wholes, and even tighter musicianship, along with a sound quality that showcases it the way it should be shown.

MP3s
A Long Look At a Short Lived Dream
'Ultimate Album Mix' (Samples Mix)

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Fine Print: The following comments are owned by whoever posted them. We are not respon sible for them in any way. Seriously.

Anonymous (May 23, 2005)

one of the cds that i dont recall any of the tracks because all of them are good. from start to finish a very good cd, its generic ska punk rock but they do it so well. the lyrics also set them apart from other bands.

Anonymous (August 24, 2004)

i didnt think i would like these guys when i saw them, but they grew on me enough that i bought this. i think its pretty good, not your typical ska sound, the use of 2 vocalists and interesting song structures make up for lyrics and cover that are slightly dramatic, they remind me of less than jake in that way. i agree the production could be deeper, but this gives them a semi distinct sound, something ska bands especially need to stand out. pretty good cd, especially for a debut.

Anonymous (July 28, 2004)

i was at that show also and bum ruckus was off the hook

Anonymous (July 27, 2004)

i saw these guys in nashville tn...they were off the hook the cd is incredible cant wait to see em again

Anonymous (July 27, 2004)

Buy this you will not regret it. I promise you. - ron

Anonymous (July 27, 2004)

I got this album at the streetlight/nigd/hsfh show at the downtown it is fantastic. The horns blew me away, and I love the lyrics and vocal harmonies. I don't see what this guy is talking about with them being off. I'll be seeing them again with catch 22 in august. yay

SOYBOMB (July 26, 2004)

Thinking about it more now, I've seen these guys a number of times.

They're to be appreciated much more live.

Peace,
-SOYBOMB-

Anonymous (July 26, 2004)

also wanted to mention that the HSFH horn section will grace the forthcoming Two Man Advantage record - 'South of Canada'...they lent their skills to the last song on the record - "Hockey Night in Canada"....

Anonymous (July 25, 2004)

couldnt agree more with what the guy below me said. This album needs a stronger review i mite do one myself. Most explosive album yet to come out in a long time. Its like catch 22 and ltj in their prime. This is HSFH's prime. Very versatile album def pick it up at interpunk or at a show ull be glad u did

Anonymous (July 25, 2004)

best ska album of the year hands down. i bought it off interpunk.com and have not stopped listening.

-LJ

SOYBOMB (July 25, 2004)

I saw these guys a little over a year ago in... hrm... it was a chuch basement in Brooklyn... Was it The Temple?

Anyway, they opened for Big D and they were very entertaining.

Peace,
-SOYBOMB-

Jesse (July 24, 2004)

Excellent.

Anonymous (July 24, 2004)

I should have kept my review. I think my line about the production sums it all up:

"How many times did he have to whore out that dumb slut from his band to get the string section into his major label fucko studio? Oh wait, none. I wish I had the blessing of being hip AND so unbelievably fucking rich."

I reviewed it after hearing it blasting out of my sister's room a few times.

-BSD

Jesse (July 24, 2004)

Oooh...Adam Green sucks.

Anonymous (July 24, 2004)

afi is better.

Anonymous (July 24, 2004)

i picked this up at a HSFH show with suburban legends, bum ruckus and taj motel trio show in pittsburgh... FUCKING AMAZING. ive been listening to it constantly for the last month.

BSD (July 24, 2004)

I'm sick of these "blah and fah" album titles. It's fucking contrived. Where's my Adam Green review?