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Epitaph Records -- Millencolin

No Moderation, the first full-length from Richmond-based Government Warning, is a golden nugget of Reagan-era hardcore that must have been sucked through a wormhole and released twenty years after the Gipper left office. This entire album is to `80s hardcore what "Grindhouse" was to low-grade splatter flicks -- a violent, explosive paean to a beloved and bygone era.

Everything I love in a classic hardcore album is here: the simple, unpretentious riffs, the pounding drums and rattling cymbals, and the angry lyrics shouted so fast that they verge towards glossolalia. I don't know much about what goes on in a recording studio, but this album simply sounds like it came out of the `80s hardcore scene, in that it's proudly devoid of palliative polish; think Urban Waste, not Comeback Kid. The lyrics cover the usual fare -- drinking, fighting, shit jobs, anxiety, jocks, media manipulation and such. Is it formulaic? Sure, but if it's a good formula, then what's the problem? No Moderation was never meant to be anything more than a perfect soundtrack for circle pits and skate videos. It's like a breath of fresh air for people like me, who are utterly sick to death of "hardcore" that's basically nothing more than shitty leftovers from Ozzfest repackaged with blast beats and chug-a-lug riffs.

If you're a fan of JFA, Minor Threat, Verbal Abuse or MDC, then I can't imagine that you'd be disappointed with this.



People who liked this also liked:
The Germs - M.I.A.: The Complete AnthologySubhumans - The Day The Country DiedOperation Ivy - Operation IvyBad Brains - Bad Brains7 Seconds - The CrewAdolescents - AdolescentsColiseum - No SalvationOperation Ivy - Operation Ivy [reissue]The Stabones - Liver Let DieSick of It All - Death to Tyrants



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    Posted by UtterlyBrilliant on 2007-09-14 20:21:55

    Best Hardcore/Punk album of 2006.

    Posted by punkgato on 2007-09-06 15:28:49

    This band rules...this album rules...thanx for actually reviewing a "punk" record!

    Posted by internetsanta on 2007-09-05 19:15:18
    My Score:

    i live in north carolina, and i tell you whats in the water. beer and cigarettes. saw these guys once i think. they were ok, but i'm pretty much done with crustcore these days.

    Posted by JonDaley on 2007-09-05 17:29:31

    oh and I'd much rather have 80's rehash than 90's rehash bleh.

    Posted by JonDaley on 2007-09-05 17:27:16

    I'm not sure I see Fucked Up's popularity is based on hype really a certain amount yes (I still can't get into the Year Of releases) but largely they have a pretty accessable sound with well written lyrics being a bonus. I could see Pink eye's voice and the song lengths being a bit off putting for some but generally if you like well written 80's style hardcore punk music its good. and Feeding I think if your record player wasn't broken you'd still be playing that F-Junkies' 7" because it is pretty great for what it is.

    Posted by fallingupwards84 on 2007-09-04 21:56:27

    awesome album, i'm glad this finally got reviewed... it actually reminds me a lot of old old AFI... like Shut Your Mouth era

    Posted by joeymagnet on 2007-09-04 20:15:42
    My Score:

    80's recreation rhetoric is getting bland, but this LP still rips from front to back. so good.

    Posted by feeeding5000 on 2007-09-04 18:58:18

    wentz equals etc: I just happen to dislike Fucked Up's sound, regardless of any innovation they may be bringing to the '80's revival hardcore format. I think that the guitar is weak (tone, not playing), the songs are repetitive, and the lyrics, however well-written, aren't really expressive when delivered in the John Brannon yell. I really see Fucked Up's popularity as a hype thing, perpetrated by MRR, and then adopted by everyone else. I'm not even immune to this '80's revival hype; read my review of the Formaldehyde Junkies. Do I listen to that record at all anymore? No, because my turntable is broken and I don't have the money to fix or replace it, but you get the idea.

    Posted by wentz_equals_death on 2007-09-04 16:30:43

    feeeeeding: i am curious, you say this beats the shit outta fucked up but then you are also getting tired of the same old style with no innovation. i think it's a pretty easy argument that while fucked up may not appeal to purists they're at least trying new things with the genre?

    Posted by windofpain on 2007-09-04 15:42:48

    i really cant stand these 80 "revival" bands. gw have a couple of good stuff and i like there new 7". lots of better stuff on feral ward.

    Posted by skankin_in_the_pit on 2007-09-04 15:15:16

    So fucking awesome. What the fuck is in the water in that Richmond/North Carolina region? Government Warning, Direct Control, Double Negative, Wasted Time, and Municipal Waste all from the same area? HOLY SHIT.

    Posted by strangenotes on 2007-09-04 14:28:39
    My Score:

    Fact: "Fat Nation" is probably the straight-up best hardcore song of last year. The strained vocals in the chorus kill me every time I hear it.

    Posted by JonDaley on 2007-09-04 13:36:57

    this was thee album of 2006, I think the latest EP is the best stuff they've done though.

    Posted by theyounginfluential on 2007-09-04 10:36:24
    My Score:

    CRAZY live show

    Posted by GlassPipeMurder on 2007-09-04 03:03:55

    so I guess these guys aren't straight edge?

    Posted by welivewedie on 2007-09-04 02:49:33

    I saw this band play in a basement with tragedy a few weeks ago. Show was pretty much amazing. The new 7 inch kills.

    Posted by theonetruebill on 2007-09-04 02:05:34

    Hahah, I'll give the new one a few listens tomorrow and try to think of something.

    I wasn't too into this record when I first heard it but then it just kept growing and growing on me. Easily one of the best records of the last few years. "Cutting Room Floor" makes me want to punch everything around me every time I hear it.

    Posted by GlassPipeMurder on 2007-09-04 00:32:23

    i do like JFA and Minor Threat. thanks for the review. i appreciate a good read after 130 pages of The African Colonial State in Comparative Perspective.

    Posted by feeeding5000 on 2007-09-04 00:29:17

    Oh, and the title track and Fat Nation kick major ass.
    Supposedly the band was going for a B'last (Bl'ast?) meets... I think they said the Faction. In any case, major SoCal skate-punkage.

    Posted by joeg on 2007-09-04 00:27:45
    My Score:

    one of the best hardcore/punk bands around today.

    Posted by feeeding5000 on 2007-09-04 00:27:38

    You fucker. I can't believe you reviewed this. It was my job. MY JOB. In any case, yeah, it's pretty good for revivalist hardcore; beats the shit outta Fucked Up any day. However, I don't particularly enjoy this type of hardcore in general. It seems like every band is just aping the same tired bullshit, as opposed to making something interesting.

    Posted by inagreendase on 2007-09-04 00:22:52

    And hey, if anyone wants to review the new 7" too, go nuts (COUGHTHEONETRUEBILLCOUGH). Less work for me.

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