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Epitaph Records -- Millencolin

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Generic Insight Radio Volume One
2007
Eternal Hope

Various - Generic Insight Radio Volume One (Cover Artwork)


Review by: Brian
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Published on August 24th 2007

A good friend of the 'Org, Barrie (no, not that one) runs a weekly Internet radio show called Generic Insight, featuring the best in new punk, hardcore and indie rock. Being a fellow music nerd (not self-professed, but we bet if we pressed her she'd admit to it), Volume One of her potential compilation series acts as ambassador to her show and amasses a ton of tri-state area (and slightly beyond) acts falling under the aforementioned banner. Many of these are incredibly solid.

The whole thing kicks off with a number of good or better tracks. Up for Nothing's "Only Time Will Tell" is fast, poppy punk tempered with a little acoustic flair; Anxious Arms play noodly emo rock in "Congratulations, Japan"; the Gaslight Anthem contribute the excellent, infectious "I'da Called You Woody, Joe"; Thieves and Assassins are responsible for "Substance Abuse," not only one of their best songs to date but featuring a slightly different mastering job here that arguably sounds better than on the actual album.

Meanwhile, Earth Stood Still, Racing Exit 13 and Safari So Good offer enjoyable pop-punk surprises, all in mood-varying forms. The New Dress offer something a little different with their very much Defiance, Ohio-esque "Where Our Failures Are." Capital thrown in a standout from Signal Corps, Jena Berlin have the superb "Crossed Arms" (top 3 on the comp at least) and Call It Fire and In Times of War drill through some LIHC with "2 +2 = You're Pissing Me Off" and "The Impending Holocaust," respectively.

There isn't much that's questionable here. The Ghost Armada's self-titled song does a bizarre sing/scream thing, One Win Choice put forth mediocre melodicore in "New Rome," and Young Hearts have fun verses but a chorus and vocal member that's a little sugary in "I Went to a Party." Dead Set on Destruction's "The Joust" is alright, but I'm not totally feeling it, and Dealin' with It's "Haunted" is a rather forgettable slice of NYHC. But only having this many iffy tracks / overall duds out of 23 songs is impressive.

Oh yeah, and there's an exclusive track from OnGuard, at least what was the newest project from former Bound / Kid Dynamite / None More Black frontman Jason Shevchuk. It's raw, but it's honest and quite the grower -- plus it's generally great to hear his voice in any medium. See, OnGuard has since changed their name and decided to form as a full band. Consider this even more of a rarity in that sense.

Generic Insight Volume One provides a welcome introduction to a bunch of new bands for listeners, even ones who already have their ear close to the ground.



People who liked this also liked:
Thrice - The Alchemy Index: Volumes I & II: Fire & WaterDear Tonight - We're Not MenCeremony - Scared People [7 inch]Various - Our Impact Will Be Felt: A Tribute to Sick of It AllThe Humanoids - Are BornHoly Roman Empire - The Longue DuréeSeasick - Awakenings [10 inch]Kill Your Idols - Something Started HereBridge and Tunnel - Bridge and Tunnel [7 inch]Ruiner - Prepare to Be Let Down



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    Posted by waytansea27 on 2007-09-11 14:43:01

    how gay is it that he mentions Bound

    Posted by Big_Guy on 2007-08-27 23:21:04

    I still gotta buy this

    Posted by bloofy on 2007-08-26 10:12:32
    My Score:

    I haven't heard this album yet, but GIR is an awesome show. I never get to hear it anymore though since I'm at school when it is on.

    Posted by onegirlarmy on 2007-08-24 18:34:38

    Oh, and ps - yes I am a self-professed music nerd, you got that right.

    Posted by onegirlarmy on 2007-08-24 18:30:34

    Spelled my name wrong duder... it's Barrie. hah. but wow, thank you... you said the review was gonna be positive but I didn't expect four stars. Thank you so much!

    Posted by Anonymous on Friday, August 24, 2007 at 3:44 PM (EDT)

    sorry, I editted my original comment some, and forgot to take out "prerecorded." I had something something about her taping the interviews at shows, and then airing them during her show, so there isn't a "live studio" for the bands to perform their songs at.

    Posted by inagreendase on 2007-08-24 15:31:55

    Dude below: I think we all know what you meant, but I wouldn't use "prerecorded" to describe a compact disc...

    Posted by Anonymous on Friday, August 24, 2007 at 3:16 PM (EDT)

    scott, everything is prerecorded, the songs are all demo or studio material.

    Posted by maverick on 2007-08-24 15:10:43

    So are these tracks live from radio sessions or something? Or just studio tracks?

    -Scott