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Haymarket Riot

Endless Bummer (2009)
Divot

Reviewer Rating:

Contributed by: Brian
(others by this writer | submit your own)

Published on June 2nd 2009

We've said some pretty friendly things about Chicago's Haymarket Riot in the past, and Endless Bummer refuses to let pleasantries die. The band's first studio album in five years is another rock-solid collection of super tight post-hardcore tunes that `90s Dischord fans should surely appreciate.

Fugazi comparisons have run pretty rampant in said reviews, and while Endless Bummer probably won't change that, it actually reminds me more of At the Drive-In on in/CASINO/OUT. I know, it's basically apples and Bleinheim oranges in that sense, but Kevin J. Frank's got this voice that just directly reminds me of Cedric's, sometimes even Jim Ward's circa Sparta's most ATDI-leaning days.

Endless Bummer does play through with a methodical and less spastic sense, however, with more of a heavier, straightforward, thumping, Jawbox-esque plod. It's quite enthralling, however, with plenty of versatility in the guitar effects that make a song like the six-minute "Chasing Endurance" (perfectly titled) captivating enough. "Good Night, Nurse!" has plenty of interesting guitar work too, with this one riff playing in and out of the proceedings and another making for a great between-verse dirge. At nine tracks and 41 minutes, some of the songs definitely drag on a bit, but not horribly so.

While I think Olehole pretty much tore this style a new hole on last year's Holemole, Endless Bummer is still one of the better entries for a beloved and often difficult sound to make sufficiently interesting.

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mikexdude (June 5, 2009)

Yeah, I think Brian is going to get a visit from a very angry ex-boyfriend.

overdefined (June 5, 2009)

Brian -aaaaaahhhahhhhahhhaha

inagreendase (June 3, 2009)

Hey Stacey, maybe there's something you don't know... o_O

StaceyFrank (June 3, 2009)

To MyStereoHasMono I don't think you are talking about the singer KJF from Haymarket. Been with him for 11 years, lived with him for 9. Sorry your girlfriend left you, but it wasn't for Kevin.

KevinJamesSuperFan (June 3, 2009)

probabaly 5 years ago these guys opened for someone, I can't remember, at the metro. a kid i was with filled up a bottle with piss and threw it at them. somehow it managed to spin the wole time in the air...getting on several band members. the singer picked it up and smelled it. the look on his face was hilarious.

anyway, they're alright...could be worse....not too original though

skankin_in_the_pit (June 3, 2009)

I've never heard this band, but I feel safe going with

Bones Brigade's Endless Bummer > Sloppy Seconds' Endless Bummer > Haymarket Riot's Endless Bummer

Those Bones Brigade and Sloppy Seconds records are awesome.

ExtraCheesePizza (June 3, 2009)

Sloppy Seconds' Endless Bummer > Haymarket Riot's Endless Bummer

Blackjaw_x (June 2, 2009)

At the same time? Sounds hot.

ffwoodycooks (June 2, 2009)

blackjaw and mike, skew both of you guys. seriously

MyStereoHasMono (June 2, 2009)

Old girlfriend broke up with me and started dating the lead singer of this band like 7 years ago. Fucking scunt.

mikexdude (June 2, 2009)

It skews nothing.

Blackjaw_x (June 2, 2009)

Sounds cool, I'll check it out when I get home.

Mike, I've always hated the "score's for somewhat related thing", it really skews the overall score. It's annoying when a bad album gets 5 stars and when a good album gets 1 star because of some douchebag. I think it's the worst when a less popular album I really enjoy gets a rating from someone of like .5 because of it... it's happened. Anywho...