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I caught Outbreak a week or so at the Bane show here in Syracuse, and they were the only band on that bill who really did not impress me. Granted, I had seen every other band on the bill at least twice, so I was plenty familiar with their songs, but Outbreak’s vibe just wasn’t cutting it with me.

Fast-forward to a few days ago, when their new record, Failure, showed up at my doorstep.

After a few listens, it became pretty obvious why I didn’t dig it in a live setting: because I can’t really get into it that well on record, either. A lot of it is my own hang-up on the style, but, I’ll give them credit for a well done album. It’s clear that everything that they wanted to do came across well on here, the raspily screamed and quickly delivered vocals, the rock‘n’roll style, and lyrics that tackle the most basic of themes in the most basic of fashions. Sixteen songs in 20 minutes' time leaves little if anything to the imagination as the band blazes through songs that often don’t eclipse the one-minute mark.

And if nothing else at all, this album is angry. All the pent up rage and emotion the singer must have been channeling before recording this really jumps out in each and every song. Ryan O'Connor’s delivery is quick and full of conviction, with some full and effective gang vocals permeating into the record at seemingly just the right times. Not too much to be overdone, but not too little, so as to be forgotten. My only issue with O’Connor is the extremely sophomoric lyrical matter. "Have a chance to speak my mind, but the words -- I can’t seem to find / Or maybe I don’t know what to say, the answers always fade away" is an example from “Lost for Words” that could just as easily apply to the other 15 songs on the album.

Conversely, working in the band's favor, is the music behind the vocals. They can vary from a slower, more rock‘n’roll sound like on “Lost My Mind,” or the much faster, much angrier sound displayed on “Chewed Up, Spit Out,” and much of the rest of the record. Either style can work for the band, and the album flows nicely just the same.

It’s simply not my style of hardcore, however, I can easily appreciate what they’ve done and how well they do it. It’s sure to be another hit on Bridge 9’s hands.



People who liked this also liked:
Gaslight Anthem - The '59 SoundThis Is Hell - SundowningThe Loved Ones - Keep Your HeartDead Hearts - Dead HeartsGaslight Anthem - Sink or SwimAchilles - HospiceChuck Ragan - Los FelizEmmure - Goodbye to the GallowsDead Hearts - Bitter VersesThe Swellers - My Everest



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    Posted by nocash666 on 2007-09-28 15:05:28
    My Score:

    best hadcore band out there. no doubt about it.

    Posted by zombiespwn on 2006-07-31 15:34:49

    ive always been a huge fan of outbreak, and i am not disapointed in this record at all.

    Posted by Anonymous on Friday, July 28, 2006 at 3:04 AM (EDT)

    "waaaah i'm Anchors, i've heard of Yaphet kotto but other than that i know absolutely NOTHING about hardcore!!"

    thats all i ever hear.

    tis band rules, just keep on listening to your little bane cutie pants, check out this record when you want to hear some ACTUAL hardcore!

    Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, July 27, 2006 at 1:00 PM (EDT)
    My Score:

    easily one of the best records of 2006. as my friend jay said in detroit about outbreak, "man, its great to see REAL hardcore bands playing again, and doing it well". Intense and completely awesome!!

    Posted by givemeamuseumandillfillit on 2006-07-26 18:09:20
    My Score:

    Not really feeling this album.
    I liked them better when they made 50 second meathead anthems with twostep breakdowns all over the place.

    Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, July 26, 2006 at 1:31 PM (EDT)
    My Score:

    I think this record is amazing. The are one of the hardest working bands out there. It's funny hardcore kids would rather be all over the nuts of this is hell who steals AN lyrics then pay attention to a band like outbreak. Maybe if outbreak wore tight jeans and shits you would think it was innovative and awesome.

    Posted by almostpunkenough on 2006-07-26 05:45:31

    2. I wish my pizza-guy's delivery was quick and full of conviction

    well put, Superdude.

    Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, July 26, 2006 at 2:25 AM (EDT)
    My Score:

    i love that outbreak will never "catch on."

    great album.

    Posted by etwiels88 on 2006-07-26 02:03:10

    Posted by fallingupwards84 on 2006-07-25 06:42:56

    "You've obviously only heard AN then..."

    nah.. saw these guys live with Bane

    That's not what I meant...The only thing these dudes have in common with American Nightmare is that they both put out stuff on B9...

    Two different sub-genres. And frankly, AN gets old very quickly...

    Posted by onegirlarmy on 2006-07-25 23:24:03
    My Score:

    I wasn't huge on Outbreak's older stuff (though they're great live), but i dig this album a lot.

    Posted by jamespastepunk on 2006-07-25 18:11:01

    I think it's a nice idea.

    Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, July 25, 2006 at 3:33 PM (EDT)

    i love outbreak but i haven't heard more than 2 songs on this so far.

    does anyone else think it's totally fucking retarded that Bridge9 have a stage at the Warped Tour?

    Posted by superdude on 2006-07-25 09:54:22

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

    1. You have a fast-forward button for your life? Lucky!

    2. I wish my pizza-guy's delivery was quick and full of conviction

    3. As well as Hawaiian pizza. Don't act like there's any other kind.

    Posted by inagreendase on 2006-07-25 09:51:58
    My Score:

    Outbreak's older stuff was noticeably faster, but I wasn't into it, which is weird since I'm totally on Ceremony's nuts lately.

    This album's decent, though.

    Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, July 25, 2006 at 9:25 AM (EDT)
    My Score:

    This album is one of my favorites this year.

    Posted by BizzleBrizzle on 2006-07-25 08:15:44

    Outbreak's older stuff was pretty damn lame.

    Posted by gladimnotemo on 2006-07-25 07:06:49
    My Score:

    Not my idea of a hardcore revival.

    Posted by fallingupwards84 on 2006-07-25 06:42:56

    "You've obviously only heard AN then..."

    nah.. saw these guys live with Bane

    Posted by joeg on 2006-07-25 04:23:32
    My Score:

    decent record although it started to wear on my patience a bit towards the end and i'm usually a sucker for super fast bands.

    Posted by Flowbee on 2006-07-25 04:06:03
    My Score:

    Damn, I've been meaning to review this but I've been too lazy. This record is so fast and pissed off and top notch. And the artwork rules. I don't jock a ton of the Bridge 9 stuff as hard as some people, but this is one of the better bands on that label. That show in Syracuse was awesome.

    Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, July 25, 2006 at 2:50 AM (EDT)

    This stuff's waste product. The only Hardcore that ever mattered was produced by men in leather chaps circa: 1980 S.F. style.

    Posted by SlowStupidHungry on 2006-07-25 02:22:18

    I like this band for the same reason I like the Ceremony- intense and negative, but not "tuffguy."

    I think it's important for bands like this to exist and express what they honestly feel in the wake of the popular bullshit "posi" wave, filled with bands that have to bluff caring about "unity" and "scene pride."

    Posted by etwiels88 on 2006-07-25 02:18:03
    My Score:

    "Posted by fallingupwards84 on 2006-07-25 01:35:18

    give me American Nightmare anyday over this    "

    You've obviously only heard AN then...

    Shut up.

    Outbreak rules hard.

    Posted by jamespastepunk on 2006-07-25 01:58:43

    So the entire CD is like "Down, Not Out"?

    Hell yes.

    Posted by fallingupwards84 on 2006-07-25 01:35:18

    give me American Nightmare anyday over this

    Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, July 25, 2006 at 1:33 AM (EDT)

    I love this album, and this band cannot be beaten live.

    Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, July 25, 2006 at 1:23 AM (EDT)
    My Score:

    good review

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