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Go It Alone

Histories
2007
Rivalry

Go It Alone - Histories (Cover Artwork)

Review by: Brian
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Go It Alone @ Legitimate Bros (link)

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Published on July 3rd 2007

Forgive one for dulling the hype. One wishes not to shit on the hardcore parade, nor proceed as an X'ed up Debbie Downer, but what's the deal with Go It Alone? With Rivalry Records' epic buildup to the album's release, monumental artwork (almost literally) and to-the-point track listing, one would think this generation's Start Today just dropped. Prepare to question a personal opinion -- maybe I just don't get it.

Go It Alone do a decent enough musical impression of Revelation's late-`90s youth crew / straight-edge revival; there's little to question there. Histories is an enjoyable practice in gimmick-free, straight-up hardcore punk driven by raspy vocals, ambitious tempos (you know, considering the style) and the occasional splash of fairly original guitar work. Really, it is admittedly solid. Plus, the band proceed with a rare sense of heightened, carefully personal introspection that few bands playing at their caliber (or higher) can touch. But the band's second full-length, while a rare feat in itself considering just what Go It Alone play, isn't nearly as wholly captivating as it should be, even in the context of their own scene when put against the output of their peers. Maybe it's partially in part to Mark Palm's vocals: He's a passionate, intense fellow, but he also has little to no range in his voice, and that's a hurtful quality to the band when it's laid out over a casual hardcore backbone.

Histories certainly has some standout moments, though. "Rapture" spills forth hooks aplenty, as it's got speedy, catchy verses that are quickly reigned in for a mildly mosh-y section; those verses find Palm spitting "filled with the arrogance of youth I was convinced I would amount to something more," and he's perfectly followed up with punctual, shouted gang vocals repeating his last two words. "Weight I" is a unique offering, a track that builds up incredibly gradually and, aside from incomprehensible muttering, an instrumental guided by a steady drumbeat and cautious guitars. There's also the slow, vaguely Dag Nasty-esque "Monastery." But moments like these are lost among lots of merely okay-ish material.

Whether it's by their own labelmates or the bands they tour with, Go It Alone is likely to be overshadowed as 2007 proceeds. Whether it's an insult to call a band's output merely decent is personal opinion -- fact is, I don't believe they've topped the list...nowhere near, really. But offering a solid contribution never hurts, and Histories, as short as the band's is so far, is one worthy of at least a couple footnotes in hardcore's textbook.

Rapture
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Posted by PJZ on 2007-07-04 13:14:41

I Really like this album, its different from all the others. sure, some of the songs aren't up to par with their older stuff, but i think this is the start of good things for go it alone

Posted by LeightonESmith on 2007-07-04 11:21:37
My Score:

Here's my take. They were brutal, intense and modern hardcore sounding last album. This one sounds thin and hollow and very battery-heroworshipping.
They are a great band that could have been truly brilliant and I think they missed their opportunity. Disappointed.

Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, July 4, 2007 at 3:58 AM (EDT)
My Score:

"Vanvouver Gold" is still my favorite GIA record. "The Only Blood Between Us" was a bit different, but still damn awesome. "Histories" is still better than most releases of this genre, but it's definitely not on the same level as GIA's past efforts.

I'm lightly disappointed, because the previously posted single was so much better.

Posted by 6000dollarsuit on 2007-07-03 20:14:59

van gold was the best thing they've put out... it's been a steady decline since.

Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, July 3, 2007 at 8:00 PM (EDT)

they get crap because they are not good. just another band in a genre where a few bands stand out and the rest sound the same and write about the same topics.

Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, July 3, 2007 at 5:58 PM (EDT)

I don't understand how anyone calls this band overrated, considering everyone here is bashing them and just about anyone I've ever met does the same.

I think they're highly underrated.

I love this band, I love this album, and I love the 7" that came with it. It's too bad they get so much crap from everyone.

Posted by AphasiacIIC on 2007-07-03 17:48:59

go listen to the new every second counts or internal affairs for better hardcore.

Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, July 3, 2007 at 5:13 PM (EDT)

"guess somebody forgot to tell them Intensity already had this artwork"
Yeah, but this is from a slightly different angle making it new and original.

I realise, but they could have been a bit more original.

Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, July 3, 2007 at 11:23 AM (EDT)

"guess somebody forgot to tell them Intensity already had this artwork"
Yeah, but this is from a slightly different angle making it new and original.

Posted by danperrone on 2007-07-03 10:57:56
My Score:

they sound like they aren't even trying. there are two or three tracks here that show their full potential, but they have yet to hit it. a very frustrating release, to say the least.

Posted by skankin_in_the_pit on 2007-07-03 09:20:05

o-ver-rated clap clap clapclapclap.

They totally bore me, but it seems like they're always playing with great bands. That means they are probably top notch dudes.

Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, July 3, 2007 at 8:36 AM (EDT)

I guess somebody forgot to tell them Intensity already had this artwork http://www.derangedrecords.com/images/releases/small/d18.gif

Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, July 3, 2007 at 5:17 AM (EDT)
My Score:

Totally agreed. Compared to their previous efforts and the "Histories" 7inch this album can't live up to the insane expectations. Too bad.

Still a very solid effort.