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 Uphill Struggle |
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HRM0011995 7" E.P. OUT OF PRINT Man Afraid's (and Half-Mast's) debut release. Melodic hardcore punk with politcal/personal lyrics. First pressing of 300 on red vinyl and 200 on blue vinyl. 2000 total pressed. Frist 1,000 with olive ink on cover art, second 1,000 with blue ink. » Man Afraid website REVIEWS MaximumRockNRoll - February 1996 "Musically, it draws on a BORN AGAINST-like sound and combines it with a melodicness similar to the band CURRENT. The lyrics are intelligent and well thought out ... These folks don't theoritize and spout out political dogma; they speak from their own position in a honest and real way. It's bands like this that help to keep [the] Punk community alive and vital." Heartattack #9 A well-done record. Nice booklet. This music is pretty damn good. Four strong mid-tempo to fast hardcore songs that don't even leave you a chance to get bored. Powerful all the way through with no bullshit. Each song has great lyrics that fill up the whole page. Damn good. Profane Existence #28 - Summer 96 What a surprise! A truly original, political hardcore/punk band from Minneapolis that failed to get my attention until the release of this stunning debut e.p. release. Musically they play a sort of melodic, but stripped down punk style with a vocal style that are reminding me of Strawman or Leatherface. This comes with a booklet which contains the lyrics and graphics, with a clean style of typeset perfection known to Allied Recordings. A shining light in a dim field of stars. Slug & Lettuce #45 I read an interview with this band and immediately set out to find this record (which usually took awhile even with so many people doing small distros). What initially attracted me was their politics and message which all gave me a good feeling and sorta reminded me of Born Against. Finally I've got a copy of this record, which is beatifully done and I'm quite charmed by it. Raw vocaled hardcore with a pretty clean guitar sound. I wouldn't say it sounds like Born Against at all, that would maybe be just in ideas. But I really like the sound as well as the look and best of all it's a little bit different and it gives me a good feeling. So check out this band! Culture Rag #11 ... Musically this 7" is pretty amazing. The raspy, intense vocals always give the edge when needed (and sometimes it's really needed). The use of background vocals on "Uncommon Valor" - especially at the beginning - can raise the hair on the back of your neck. Only a little bit does the musci harken back to stale hardcore rhythm - but when it does, it works, and the occasional march beat keeps things interesting. Sometimes they get a little Berkeley (with backbone, not bubble gum), sometimes they get a little emo, and sometimes they're total new school hardcore, but they always keep things interesting. I think this 7" epitomizes what most Ebullition bands strive for and never achieve. They rock... |
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