Alex DiVincenzo
08/18/08, 12:32 PM
Kids Like Us - The 80's Are Dead
Record Label: Eulogy Recordings
Release Date: August 5, 2008 (reissue)
In 2003, The 80's Are Dead introduced the world to a group of straight edge, fun-loving, Coca Cola-guzzling skaters by the name of Kids Like Us. The debut disc from the Florida quartet is a favorite among many fans of hardcore/punk that, like the band, don't take themselves too seriously. After being out of print for a number of years, Eulogy Records has re-issued the disc with an additional live set and new artwork.
The original twelve tracks clock in at under sixteen minutes, keeping things short and sweet. The songs are fast-paced, with obvious influences from trashy skate-punk and youth crew hardcore, along with some modern hardcore heaviness and breakdowns mixed in. The album, mastered by Dave Crisafi, could have used a little cleaning up for the new release, as it's a bit under-produced, but it make for a showcase of the band's raw style.
The lyrics are often humorous, although they still maintain the angry, aggressive spirit of the music. My favorite lines come from "Meet Me at the Swingset," a hilarious-yet-true tune about the abundance of underage kids in the scene: "Every fucking show I feel like a pedophile / This isn't hardcore, it's an 8th grade dance / A fucking Hot Topic mixer / Something to put in your AOL profile." These words are even more true now than when they were written with the Myspace generation hopping on the hardcore trend.
The album is followed by ten live tracks recorded at their twenty-minute set at Eulogy Fest 2008 in Miami this past March. You can hear the band's energy in the live setting, but the quality leaves much to be desired, especially vocally. Many lyrics are left unheard, presumably because vocalist Lars Lundquist left them for the audience to sing along. I think it would be been more appropriate for a band of this nature to include a live DVD rather than CD, but I suppose it may not have been worst the extra cost given the short length. The set is a good mix of their material throughout their career, including a new song entitled "1981," which will appear on their upcoming split with The Mongoloids.
Like most re-releases, The 80's Are Dead is worth picking up for those who don't own the original, but it's not worth double dipping just for the live tracks. Kids Like Us is a fun band ideal for any hardcore/punk fan looking for a soundtrack for cutting loose, drinking Coke, and kicking ass.
Righteous Jams; Casey Jones; Down to Nothing; Good Clean Fun; Youth of Today
myspace.com/kidslikeusflorida (http://myspace.com/kidslikeusflorida)
Record Label: Eulogy Recordings
Release Date: August 5, 2008 (reissue)
In 2003, The 80's Are Dead introduced the world to a group of straight edge, fun-loving, Coca Cola-guzzling skaters by the name of Kids Like Us. The debut disc from the Florida quartet is a favorite among many fans of hardcore/punk that, like the band, don't take themselves too seriously. After being out of print for a number of years, Eulogy Records has re-issued the disc with an additional live set and new artwork.
The original twelve tracks clock in at under sixteen minutes, keeping things short and sweet. The songs are fast-paced, with obvious influences from trashy skate-punk and youth crew hardcore, along with some modern hardcore heaviness and breakdowns mixed in. The album, mastered by Dave Crisafi, could have used a little cleaning up for the new release, as it's a bit under-produced, but it make for a showcase of the band's raw style.
The lyrics are often humorous, although they still maintain the angry, aggressive spirit of the music. My favorite lines come from "Meet Me at the Swingset," a hilarious-yet-true tune about the abundance of underage kids in the scene: "Every fucking show I feel like a pedophile / This isn't hardcore, it's an 8th grade dance / A fucking Hot Topic mixer / Something to put in your AOL profile." These words are even more true now than when they were written with the Myspace generation hopping on the hardcore trend.
The album is followed by ten live tracks recorded at their twenty-minute set at Eulogy Fest 2008 in Miami this past March. You can hear the band's energy in the live setting, but the quality leaves much to be desired, especially vocally. Many lyrics are left unheard, presumably because vocalist Lars Lundquist left them for the audience to sing along. I think it would be been more appropriate for a band of this nature to include a live DVD rather than CD, but I suppose it may not have been worst the extra cost given the short length. The set is a good mix of their material throughout their career, including a new song entitled "1981," which will appear on their upcoming split with The Mongoloids.
Like most re-releases, The 80's Are Dead is worth picking up for those who don't own the original, but it's not worth double dipping just for the live tracks. Kids Like Us is a fun band ideal for any hardcore/punk fan looking for a soundtrack for cutting loose, drinking Coke, and kicking ass.
Righteous Jams; Casey Jones; Down to Nothing; Good Clean Fun; Youth of Today
myspace.com/kidslikeusflorida (http://myspace.com/kidslikeusflorida)