I've gone off on tangents about the current state of hardcore in a bunch of other reviews, so I'll spare you the long-winded speech. We all realize that bands that would have been brushed over two years ago are starting to get a little more attention from the mainstream. And one of the hotbeds of this recent punk rock craze has been Long Island, New York. There must be something in the water there, but Long Island defiantly has an unusual ability to pump out catchy, melodic hardcore.
Crime In Stereo are no exception by any means. 30 seconds into their debut full length, Explosives and the Will to Use Them, the listener is assaulted with the familiar sounds of melodic hardcore made popular by east coast bands like Kid Dynamite, Lifetime, or even Gorilla Biscuits. What really sets this band apart is the use of the guitars that seem to draw influence from the entire spectrum of the genre, ranging from tight pop-punk riffage all the way to post-hardcore noodlings in the upper register. There are textures and tones though familiar to the ear, seem somewhat out of place on a standard hardcore record. So maybe this isn't a standard hardcore record then? Hmm'.
Though Crime in Stereo are reaching deep into their collective musical pockets to come up with some fresh sounds, it isn't anything truly dangerous. It is probably most reminiscent of what Stay Gold was trying to accomplish with Pills and Advice. Forsaking speed and ferocity for sometimes absurd amounts of melody and song structure seems to be the order of the day on this record, and though it makes for a work that has cross-over appeal, it will probably cost them hardcore die-hards in the end. Though the pop elements are fun and pleasing, the only song on here that really makes me want to punch a hole in the wall is "No Gold Stars for Nationalism," which although it has a more standard color by numbers hardcore feel, it definitely brings the most variety to the table.
Hmm, so what more can be said? If you've enjoyed any of the re-tread "posi" bands that seem to be gaining popularity lately, you will defiantly enjoy this. Likewise, those of us that were weaned on mid nineties melodic punk are going to at least find some nostalgia lying within the 12 tracks that make up Explosives and the Will to Use Them. Though the lyrics and message seem honest, and the heart is definitely there, I just don't see this as really raising anything interesting or new, so much as improving or equaling a tested and proven formula. Fun yes, but life changing? Probably not. Although I could easily see these guys doing something provocative in the future given the talent they display, this release just leaves me wanting more.
