xLooking Forwardx The Path We Tread
Facedown Records FR049 November 8th, 2005
By Jason Jordan
I have a complicated relationship with hardcore punk. We used to room together in college, but he kept borrowing money from me and never repaying. So I had to kick him out and tell him to leave me alone. But he keeps returning. This time hes in the form of xLooking Forwardx, who just released The Path We Tread, which is their sophomore shindig.
I imagine fans of hardcore punk getting along with this well enough. After all, the message-charged xLooking Forwardx sounding akin to Stretch Arm Strong arent really irksome in the least; but as I said, this particular style just doesnt appeal to me. Its not like The Path We Tread is devoid of praiseworthy moments, though, as the production is great and steadies cool, instrumental parts in songs like Heroes of Your Revolution and I Aint Mad at Cha. And actually, the best parts are the instrumental passages when the riffs shine and O Brien (not Conan) is left is incorporate the China cymbal. Sporting nineteen songs that run about half an hour, The Path We Tread is an exercise in rehashing the same old stuff weve heard before, in spite of its personality. As an aside, the band has within their ranks two Chaillous (vocals and guitars, respectively) and two Kevins (bass and drums, respectively), which likely makes for confusing-yet-comical situations.
If anything, xLooking Forwardx are enthusiastic about what theyre doing, and its not as if The Path We Tread is bad per se. Its the simple fact that Im not entranced with this style, and that this records been written a thousand times over. Hardcore punk fans will brush up against this, undoubtedly, but Ill kindly limit my selection to more alluring albums in Facedowns back catalog. I now hate the letter x by the way. Thanks guys!
6/10
Official xLooking Forwardx Website
Official Facedown Records Website
Facedown Records FR049 November 8th, 2005
By Jason Jordan
I have a complicated relationship with hardcore punk. We used to room together in college, but he kept borrowing money from me and never repaying. So I had to kick him out and tell him to leave me alone. But he keeps returning. This time hes in the form of xLooking Forwardx, who just released The Path We Tread, which is their sophomore shindig.
I imagine fans of hardcore punk getting along with this well enough. After all, the message-charged xLooking Forwardx sounding akin to Stretch Arm Strong arent really irksome in the least; but as I said, this particular style just doesnt appeal to me. Its not like The Path We Tread is devoid of praiseworthy moments, though, as the production is great and steadies cool, instrumental parts in songs like Heroes of Your Revolution and I Aint Mad at Cha. And actually, the best parts are the instrumental passages when the riffs shine and O Brien (not Conan) is left is incorporate the China cymbal. Sporting nineteen songs that run about half an hour, The Path We Tread is an exercise in rehashing the same old stuff weve heard before, in spite of its personality. As an aside, the band has within their ranks two Chaillous (vocals and guitars, respectively) and two Kevins (bass and drums, respectively), which likely makes for confusing-yet-comical situations.
If anything, xLooking Forwardx are enthusiastic about what theyre doing, and its not as if The Path We Tread is bad per se. Its the simple fact that Im not entranced with this style, and that this records been written a thousand times over. Hardcore punk fans will brush up against this, undoubtedly, but Ill kindly limit my selection to more alluring albums in Facedowns back catalog. I now hate the letter x by the way. Thanks guys!
6/10
Official xLooking Forwardx Website
Official Facedown Records Website
