Youth Brigade

Youth Brigade: To Sell the TruthTo Sell the Truth (1996)
BYO Records

Reviewer Rating: 4

User Rating:

Contributed by: suburbanshacksuburbanshack
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Published on December 22nd 2009Okay, why hasn't anybody reviewd this record before? Youth Brigade is an amazing band and I say this is their best album. As I said, Youth Brigade is an amazing band, and as well as being amazing, they are one of the oldest American punk bands still playing. The Stern brothers (Shawn, Mark and Ad.

Okay, why hasn't anybody reviewd this record before? Youth Brigade is an amazing band and I say this is their best album.

As I said, Youth Brigade is an amazing band, and as well as being amazing, they are one of the oldest American punk bands still playing. The Stern brothers (Shawn, Mark and Adam) really decided to kick more ass than ever on this record. Songs like "I Hate My Life" and "Tomorrow" make you just want to sing along.

Now, this was released in the mid-'90s, and if you're new to Youth Brigade's music you may just assume this is '90s So-Cal punk. Nope. This would fall under the category of melodic hardcore (less melodic, more hardcore though). Their roots do go back to about 1982, during the midst of the first wave of hardcore, so you can assume the hardcore sound.

This is an amazing record, don't get me wrong, but it does get repetitive. "Fast and aggressive, yet catchy" has a broad range of bands and records; this is one of them. You have all heard stuff like this before (early NOFX, late RKL and a more raw-sounding Pennywise) but this does still stand out. Better vocals than all three of those bands for one thing, and the odd transitions between slow and fast they do on select songs were really diffrent at the time. And if sounding great isn't enough, these brothers are pioneers and legends of the independent record label society. Their label, BYO Records has accomplished many good things and now you can watch and listen to them on the new CD/DVD set titled Let Them Know: The Story of Youth Brigade and BYO Records. I recommend that set, and more importantly, Youth Brigade's best record, To Sell the Truth.

If you feel like taking a break from your Pennywises, NOFXs, Bad Religions and Strung Outs, this is the perfect record for you.

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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.

theonetruebill (December 24, 2009)

I haven't listened to this in ages, might have to bring it out soon. Overall though I haven't really listened to YB that much over the last couple years after some shitty dealings with Shawn Stern.

bytheslice (December 23, 2009)

I ordered this record from BYO two weeks before it came out. I remember being blown away by how much they progressed from "Happy Hour". Shawn Stern had this way of being articulate and writing lyrics that made you sit back and think. Although I'm not too stoked on the production, I think the songs are great and the record really flows well. Thanks for reviewing this.

Ravnos (December 23, 2009)

I've heard Sound and Fury and I'd still pick this as their best. Whatever, personal preference. It's just a shame that they haven't released anything else since then except for the Swingin Utters split.

hobbzoid (December 23, 2009)

not their best but kicks the shit out of anything else outside of Sound & Fury. Love this record.

lushj (December 23, 2009)

I'm sorry, "Best" album? Have you heard "Sound and Fury?"

middlenameindie (December 23, 2009)

played with these guys. best show of my life. despite it being on a monday night and no one showed up. few people there, but still an excellent time. and still played like you'd imagine... for old fucks.

hayman (December 22, 2009)

I didn't realise this hadn't been reviewed. Easily one of my favourite albums and definately a must for skate punk fans. Rags to Riches by RKL needs to be reissued as well. Good times and cheers for the review.

fuzzy (December 22, 2009)

Why death to the editors?

joeg (December 22, 2009)

good record but their best is still Sound and Fury, the original recording, not the version with the ridiculous duke of earl song lol.

sloanedaley (December 22, 2009)

I hate my life i hate liiiiiiifeee!

telegraphrocks (December 22, 2009)

Great album!
"Believe In Something" and "Sick" are absolutely classic.

P.S.
Death to the editors.