Face to Face

Face to Face: Don't Turn AwayDon't Turn Away (1992)
Fat Wreck Chords

Reviewer Rating: 5

User Rating:

Contributed by: coldjulycoldjuly
(others by this writer | submit your own)
Published on October 15th 2001In the early nineties, when punk was still in the beginning of a major crossover process; many bands took a new, much faster melodic sense then their 80's contemporaries (a few bands excluded). While Face to Face certainly wasn't the first to do so, they were considered a band who could do it wel.

In the early nineties, when punk was still in the beginning of a major crossover process; many bands took a new, much faster melodic sense then their 80's contemporaries (a few bands excluded). While Face to Face certainly wasn't the first to do so, they were considered a band who could do it well.

Don't Turn Away is like a revelation to me - my dead sea scrolls if you will - I was introduced to this album in mid '93 and I was speechless to say the least. I let the record speak for me however, as it stayed in my stereo for months, and is still a regular in my "played constantly" list.

Most songs are mid-tempo, very emotional melodic SoCal punk as we've come to know so well. Not too fast, but fast enough to let their fury show. They showcase some great musicianship to just be a three piece band at the time. The harmonies, and melody really shine through, probably better than any record they've done to date.

The album begins with "You've done nothing" a pretty hard, straight forward punk song that tends to pull the listener in and proceed to kick some musical ass. other greats include The well known "Disconnected"...which no other version the band does can ever top this one. "No authority" the lyrics ring so true from that song and, is one of the few on the album that showcases some anger. "Everything is Everything", "Nothing New", "Walk Away", and "1000x" Stand out as well.

Its really a testament to where great melodic punk got its start..where more and more bands caught on..to the virtual plethora of bands who incorporate the same style today some 10 odd years later. This is one of the few albums I consider a "classic" some may disagree, I have my own personal reasons..Its an uplifting set of songs that hit you in a way that other F2F albums don't. If you want to change your perspective on this band check this out...simply genius.

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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.

Schneggie (July 29, 2011)

This is just one of those albums that changed my world! You can't go back on punk rock after a record as amazing as this one

Dedricthere (April 23, 2010)

Still listen to it regurlarly after all these years !

Mrdogg45 (December 14, 2006)

Still the best so-cal punk record ever. Still the best so-cal punk band ever. "Disconnected" is a hell of a song, but "I'm Trying" is the real winner.

Anonymous (November 27, 2005)

This album is amazing. I have the man in the maze tattooed on me.

Kismet_ashes (November 6, 2005)

I love Face to Face and this album WAS // IS awesome. No one I know has heard of Face to Face, with the exception of my bass teacher. I'm like 'How could you have not heard of them?? LISTEN to them!' So yes, this album is AMAZING. Disconnected... I Want... Everything is Everything... really good songs.

I love this album.

cdogg (April 24, 2005)

This cd has to be one of the best punk cds of the 90s. "I'm Not Afraid," "Disconnected" and "I Want" rate among my favorite punk songs of all time, although the cd is full of stand-out tracks. If you don't already own it, get this immediately.

thatswack (January 7, 2005)

Damn good CD, even with the poor production quality, but who gives a shit about that anyway.

UnunitedSA (October 29, 2003)

Face to Face is one of the best punk rock band. This cd introduced me to them. It's a damn good one as well.

coldjuly (October 21, 2001)

Yeah it was just one sentence in the interview...he could have left the little snide comment out.

Anonymous (October 21, 2001)

http://www.skapunkandotherjunk.com/Interviews/nufaninterview.htm l

heres that interview with matt from NUFAN being a dickwank.
-faceecaf

Anonymous (October 20, 2001)

IIB, in my opinion, licked ass nuggets. There was no warning. It went from their self titled punk masterpiece to slowed down mellow alternative. It was like two different bands. I might have like IIB if it were from a brand new band, but not from Face to Face. I didn't like Reactionary that much either. But Don't Turn Away es muy beuno!- el fatheado

Anonymous (October 19, 2001)

I think this album overshadows some of their other work, namely IIB(Even better than this, in my opinion), but it's still great.

Anonymous (October 19, 2001)

where is this review with that fat bald bitter piece of shit matt riddle? i would love to read it?

coldjuly (October 18, 2001)

He was just pissed off because he got booted from F2F and because he hated Chad when he joined. Hes a good bassist and I enjoy the work he did for pulley, 22 jacks, Nufan, and F2F...If you watch the videos on the new pulley CD I guess he and scott got over their supposed confrontation when matt left to go to NUFAN.

Anonymous (October 18, 2001)

did anyone read that interview with matt from NUFAN/f2f where he said f2f sux....??
what a fucking wanker.

NUFAN rock and are cool
but are not as good as the allmighty f2f. (and he knows it)
-faceecaf

Anonymous (October 18, 2001)

right on to the guy that likes IIB
people need to be reminded how good that album is as well -faceecaf

oldpunker (October 18, 2001)

ITS FACE TO FACE........NOTHING MORE NEEDS TO BE SAID!!!!!!!!

Anonymous (October 18, 2001)

If I were to have sex with a record...this would be the one.

Anonymous (October 18, 2001)

there is a million billion punk cds that have a worse sounding recording then big choise, so why are people hung up on it??

ohh yeah if i had to make a choise then i would say don't turn away is the best album ever in the history of everything. -faceecaf

Anonymous (October 17, 2001)

This might be THE perfect punk record.- fathead

coldjuly (October 17, 2001)

Yeah, I would like Big Choice a lot more if the prod. was a little better. If you watch the first seven years video, they even admit it they say it sounded like it was recorded in a week and it was. It definitley comes in 2nd respectivley.

Anonymous (October 17, 2001)

I think the version of Disconnected on Big Choice is superior to the one on Don't Turn Away. And Pastel is a great song, by the way.

sickboi (October 17, 2001)

good damn good, I think Big Choice is a smudge better, not by much though.

booker_pee (October 17, 2001)

I still like ignorance is bliss better...

Bryne (October 17, 2001)

The best material Face to Face has EVER put out, no question.

Anonymous (October 17, 2001)

fuckin' right!!! This is in my top five of all time.

Anonymous (October 17, 2001)

geez my rancid review lasted a whole 30 seconds!!! not to be selfish, cause i've got plenty of reviews here, but that's not very cool aubin.

this face to face album ranks number 1 on my 'most listened to' list.i played it so much, my mom even knows the words! - fathead

imabigjerk (October 17, 2001)

excellent album...one of the best