Review / 200 Words Or Less
Ability
Expired

Fineprint (2008) Michael

Ability – Expired cover artwork
Ability – Expired — Fineprint, 2008

Ability is a five-piece hardcore band from the Northern outskirts of Los Angeles. Expired is their debut effort and the 7" features five cuts of solid mid-tempo hardcore. Musically the band mixes together the guitar tones of Bad Brains with the thick rhythm sounds of Burn. "Work of Ages" is a good example of what the band has to offering. The last track, "Swallowed," has kind of a Betrayed meets Inside Out sound to it, but that's probably because Todd Jones wrote the song (he is credited with writing it, which seems rather odd that this is the second band this year I've encountered with this footnote). Overall, this is a good debut that is quite reminiscent of the early Revelation catalog.

7.0 / 10Michael • July 6, 2008

Ability – Expired cover artwork
Ability – Expired — Fineprint, 2008

Recently-posted album reviews

Ramleh

Hyper Vigilance
Sleeping Giant Glossolalia (2025)

Ramleh is a cornerstone of the UK industrial and noise underground. Staring out in the early '80s, they are one of the pioneers of noise and power electronics alongside the likes of Whitehouse and Sutcliffe Jügend. But, beneath the havoc and the sonic debris, Ramleh always carried an emotional pulse. It is what separates their finest moment, Hole In The … Read more

Crippling Alcoholism

Camgirl
Portrayal of Guilt Records (2025)

Crippling Alcoholism have always navigated a delicate balance between musical depth and immediacy. A blend that few bands attempt, let alone master, but Crippling Alcoholism's two previous full-length records, When The Drugs That Make You Sick Are The Drugs That Make You Better and especially With Love From A Padded Room did exactly that. With a foundation formed through post-punk … Read more

The Necks

Disquiet
Northern Spy (2025)

There are no signs of slowing down for Australian jazz masters The Necks. Following the release of the excellent Bleed in 2024, the legendary trio makes a return with their 20th full-length record, Disquiet. Long-form compositions are nothing new for the trio, but here they dive headfirst into a three-hour tour de force, traversing the abstract and meditative territories they … Read more