Review
Mouthbreather / Enviornmental Youth Crunch
Split

Rorschach (2009) Loren

Mouthbreather / Enviornmental Youth Crunch – Split cover artwork
Mouthbreather / Enviornmental Youth Crunch – Split — Rorschach, 2009

There's a lot to say about this split. First, it features one great name (Mouthbreather) and one lesser one (Environmental Youth Crunch). What strikes me second is the contrast in band styles, though I'll elaborate on this later. And, third, that it's such a solid release with five songs - it's an EP, not a single.

First on the record is Mouthbreather. They play melodic hardcore that walks the line between street punk and thrash. John Martin has a big lung, posturing feel to his screams and the songs flow well, building energy and then dropping the tempo back down every so often for the pit stompers to catch their breath. The thrash influence lies underneath the more structural elements to their songs. Good stuff, meant to be played loud.

As for Environmental Youth Crunch, they play poppier music that is a strange pairing with the heavier Mouthbreather. EYC play something similar to your run of the mill Plan-It-X bands. It's pop punk with jagged guitars, sloppy vocals, and incredible brevity. They pack three songs on their side with plenty of room to spare. I'm intrigued, but I'd like to see them work the melodies into something a little longer, since the 0:28 "Leap Year" stands out as their best song. The 1:50 "Slow Jamb" is, indeed, their longest song and it actually feels long in comparison with the other songs.

As a nice change, the lyrics are printed on the inside of the cardboard sleeve instead of as an insert.

7.1 / 10Loren • February 1, 2010

Mouthbreather / Enviornmental Youth Crunch – Split cover artwork
Mouthbreather / Enviornmental Youth Crunch – Split — Rorschach, 2009

Advertisement

DCxPC 2025

Recently-posted album reviews

Detention

Dead Rock ‘N’ Rollers
Left For Dead Records (2024)

Life ain’t so easy in the detention home- Dead Boys. Emerging from the underbelly of Jersey, made up primarily of three brethren. Raised on rock and roll and sipping from the chalice of early punk rock stalwarts like Da Bruddahs from Queens, Hey Ho! and the Pistoleros of Sexual Nature screaming banshees from across from the large pond. Thus forging … Read more

Nightfreak

Nightfreak
Big Neck Records (2024)

Semi-feral punk outfit NightFreak are back with a self-titled LP filled with breakneck riffs and 70s metal bombast. The Chicago group haven’t slowed down since 2022’s Speed Trials but they have filled out. NightFreak the album is lousy with warm back beats and melodic guitars; although, hardcore vocals and tight drums still reign supreme. Album opener “Blackout” is dead serious … Read more

Death By Unga Bunga

Raw Muscle Power
Jansen Records (2025)

I’m pretty sure I became aware of Mike Krol when The Whiffs posted about playing some shows with him. Krol is a bit of an anomaly. Not only is he on Merge and collaborates with Mac Superchunk- a dream scenario imo- but he’s also been elusive of my fan boy attempts at cold dm’ing him about stuff even tho we … Read more