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xLooking Forwardx

The Path We Tread (2005)
Facedown Records

Reviewer Rating:

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

Published on November 8th 2005

Imagine, if you will, a brand of modern hardcore that matches the dynamics of earlier Stretch Arm Strong and the feel-good melody of Good Clean Fun (however more serious the band being reviewed in question may be) with a slight metallic edge many of their peers choose to perhaps overdraw from. That's xLooking Forwardx in a nutshell.

Yes, the band is Christian, and they don't hide it on The Path We Tread; several songs directly reference God (see "You're a beautiful creation no matter who you are" preceding His name in "You're Worth It"). And neither do they hide their straight-edge values, as if these weren't given away in the band's name. Fortunately for the secular and/or casual drinker (and up, perhaps) listener, it's the band's overwhelmingly positive vibes that make the lyrics concerning these values easy to swallow. "Sidelines" asks to act on complaints about today's hardcore scene or to not bother altogether, while "For Those Who Believe" and "Each Step" gives thanks to The Dude Above without actually directly referencing His name.

The band's breakdowns are cleanly integrated, and give the band a bit of its heavier edge without the usually given mindset of "tearing this shit up!" (think someone like the aforementioned Stretch as opposed to someone like Terror). They're quick and executed nicely in between galloping double bass drums and a constant, straight-forward attack from the band. Melody abounds in a subtle manner throughout as well.

You probably already know if you'll like this or not. Looking Forward's The Path We Tread's Christian and straight-edge values may be a bit much for some, but the music is quite well-put together hardcore punk, and the vibe here is more positive and accepting than...well, the obvious opposite.

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GlassPipeMurder (August 14, 2006)

the song Cop Out is pretty awesome. especially the middle.

Anonymous (March 20, 2006)

i like it. owell

Anonymous (January 22, 2006)

there's no straight edge rule book. people pick and choose what values they want and don't want. straight edge doesnt have to be atheistic.

Anonymous (November 12, 2005)

a group of really nice people making music with a positive message that they and others enjoy.

QUICK, SHIT TALK!

Anonymous (November 11, 2005)

Its pretty bold for a genre of punk to hold an entire letter of the alphabet hostage. On second thought, I think I'm gonna claim the letter "J" in advance so that my style will have 1/26 of the english alphabet too.

- jKenj

Anonymous (November 11, 2005)

i second das oath

Anonymous (November 9, 2005)

christian straight edge! alright! now THATS hardcore rock n roll!

fuck you die

Anonymous (November 9, 2005)

S-N-A-K-E
SNAKE RAP!

Jesse (November 9, 2005)

Yeah.

This shit is boring.

Stretch Arm Strong blows ass.

So do these chumps.

Das Oath, motherfuckers. If you want modern hardcore, listen to Das Oath. Or F-Minus. They're pretty rad.

Anonymous (November 8, 2005)

fuck harford county and its shitty music. AHOY CAPTAIN! no motherfuckers. their earlier songs bashed ian mckaye for selling out on sXe.

etwiels88 (November 8, 2005)

"I know their band name is pronounced "Looking Forward", but I still say "EcksLooking Fowardecks" just for fun."

Actually, I've heard them refer to themselves as X-Looking Forward-X on a few occasions.

BEL-AIR! HARDCORE! BEL-AIR! STRAIGHT EDGE!

Anonymous (November 8, 2005)

"You probably already know if you'll like this or not. Looking Forward's The Path We Tread's Christian and straight-edge values may be a bit hypocritical for some..."

How did that typo get missed?

crazytoledo (November 8, 2005)

**** Christinaity.

Anyways...

This stuff is ok, nothing really special but it doesn't blow monkey balls.

Anonymous (November 8, 2005)

Christian Straight Edge, ohhhh interesting.....

Look for a new record on Victory or Tooth And Nail...probably

I'll be out back listening to Minor Threat.

localh (November 8, 2005)

Drink to That

Anonymous (November 8, 2005)

"i like to listen to this while i X-up my hands, make flyers for shows that the same 10 people show up for, and make a zine to hand to people with the same ideals as me.

time to go lay the smack down on some poison-consuming FUCKS!"

Awesome.

Anonymous (November 8, 2005)

Especially because he disregarded the fact that more snakes = more rock

Anonymous (November 8, 2005)

man, superdude. that was weak. we know you have so much more to offer!!
look to your past efforts for guidance.
we know you can do it!

superdude (November 8, 2005)

This review was pretty good, but here's how I would make it better:

1. "Less snakes more rock" didn't appear anywhere in the title.

2. They should have made the alvum cover a map so that people would go looking for the buried treasures.

3. I'd be more interested in Chirtian valuables and values.

Anonymous (November 8, 2005)

i like to listen to this while i X-up my hands, make flyers for shows that the same 10 people show up for, and make a zine to hand to people with the same ideals as me.

time to go lay the smack down on some poison-consuming FUCKS!

Anonymous (November 8, 2005)

"magine, if you will, a brand of modern hardcore that matches the dynamics of earlier Stretch Arm Strong and the feel-good melody of Good Clean Fun"

This should be the best band ever, however, it's not."

Actually that sounds like one of the worst hardcore combinations possible.

forum.randomfury.co.uk

givemeamuseumandillfillit (November 8, 2005)

Anonymous (November 8, 2005)

What's funny is that that line that's supposed to be overtly christian doesn't sound that christian to me, I mean they're just saying that everyone is beautiful and has value.

AlmostPunkEnough (November 8, 2005)

this might be rehashed, but it's good rehasment. really not bad at all. i don't think i'll be liseting to it for too long, but it's fun as hell while it's on.

and do something about the X's.

Anonymous (November 8, 2005)

Don't you mean: xShitxBoringxAsxHellx ??

theundergroundscene (November 8, 2005)

eh, this shit is boring as hell

not one of the NINETEEN tracks stands out

moneenerd (November 8, 2005)

These guys are my guilty obsession.

William_David (November 8, 2005)

I was really surprised when I started listening to it how much I liked it. I was waiting to see what you'd say about it. It was really an unexpected treat, and I love how the tracks just connect, where there isn't a break until track 8 or something, I think.

Anonymous (November 8, 2005)

I know their band name is pronounced "Looking Forward", but I still say "EcksLooking Fowardecks" just for fun.