Blacklisted - No One Deserves To Be Here More Than Me

A swing and a miss. Okay, maybe more like a foul ball. I'm not sure, I don't really watch baseball so maybe I'm not qualified to make such a metaphor. Shit. Anyway, where was I?

Philadelphia's Blacklisted released arguably one of the best heavy albums of 2008, Heavier Than Heaven, Lonelier Than God, which contained nearly 20 minutes worth of vitriolic and deeply personal metallic hardcore. The album was intense and beautiful, showing off enough progressiveness and experimentation to make them a stand-out band in the hardcore genre. In the latter half of '09, the band announced they would release their next full-length No One Deserves To Be Here More Than Me in November. Well, November rolled around, and there was still no further information. Then, without any warning, it dropped on the first of December, vinyl- only with no pre-order. Rarely before have I formed a fully realised opinion so soon after listening to a record. The band tries numerous new things here, most notably instrumentally, sporadically adding violins, trumpets, and even rainsticks into the mix. But where bands like Refused succeeded at these type of experimental risks 10 years ago, Blacklisted seems to come up short. In a time where every other hardcore band seems to be placing ambient, artsy interludes between their songs, Blacklisted falls victim to the trend and it just comes off as self-indulgent and forced. Another issue I have is with George Hirsch's vocals this time around. I feel this record could have benefited and been more effective if his screams were harsher and more dissonant. Instead, Hirsch tries to sing and add melody, and it's just not as hard-hitting as on their previous record. At times it's almost downright embarrassing, particularly on the track "The P.I.G. (The Problem Is G.)". The last real track, "I Am Extraordinary" is a bizarre fuzz-pop ballad, which once again suffers from George's vocals being too subdued. This leads into the final interlude, comprised of various ambient clinkings and ringing - totally frustrating and pointless. All criticisms aside, No One Deserves To Be Here More Than Me is a bold fucking record, from the limited release to the album's experimentation, and I can definitely appreciate that. You can't go anywhere if you don't try, after all. Unfortunately, in the end it just wasn't as relentless and frantic as I hoped it would be. Still, this is not a band to be missed in a live setting (hope you like pile-ons!) and I'm excited for what the future holds for Blacklisted.

Be sure to pick up the No One Deserves To Be Here More Than Me 12" LP from the Deathwish e-store, here.

Bad Brains - "Rock For Light" (Caroline, 1983)

If there's one beef I have with the Bad Brains it's the religious zeal. I wish I could take a time machine back to 1982 and tell them "Look, you guys are from D.C. and you're playing to predominantly white crowds, no one cares about Jah." Of course, this would likely be followed by me getting beat up. Perhaps I could find a young Henry Rollins and tell him to give them my message for me. I'm sure he could take a few punches. That said, these songs RULE!!! Even the Rasta-heavy songs like "Coptic Times" and, well, all the reggae songs are played with such conviction that it almost makes me want to grow dreadlocks and convert. Almost. Like I said, this is powerful stuff, and Ric Ocasek's incredible production job makes it easier to digest than their first record. Make no mistake, this isn't your typical early bone-headed hardcore. The Bad Brains were sharp and precise with absolutely menacing guitar solos. Listen to the aggressive assault of "Banned in D.C." or "Riot Squad" and tell me it doesn't make you want to slam dance! Singer "H.R." could spit some real venom. His singing was pure pandemonium, and yet he had a truely impressive control over his voice, from a bark to a wail to a yelp. If you are a fan of hardcore-punk or just important rock 'n' roll in in general, (They would go on to influence countless bands. Do the Beastie Boys or the Red Hot Chili Peppers ring a bell?) this record is essential listening. So put it on and destroy shit! And when the reggae songs come on, light up a joint and just relaaaax maaaan. Or, if you're into that other early D.C. hardcore band - don't. You know which one!