By Desmond Ho, Staff Writer
When it comes to great modern hardcore punk, Trash Talk is nearly at the top of the list. 119 is the Sacramento-based band’s first album for hip-hop label Odd Future Records. It’s easy to call Trash Talk sellouts for signing to Odd Future (whose parent company is Sony, a major label) but that’s just flat-out unfair, as 119 delivers the same brand of hardcore for which they’re known.
The album kicks off with “Eat the Cycle,” which wastes no time getting up to a fast, breakneck speed. The album has 14 songs, clocking in at about 22 minutes overall. Most of the songs are in the traditional hardcore punk vein (fast-screamed vocals and just under a minute in length). Others, like “Reasons” and “Blossom & Burn” (featuring guest vocals by Odd Future Records founder Tyler, The Creator) slow down into heavy, sludge riffs. 119 closes with “Dogman”, a heavy-metal riff instrumental. The band is always aggressive, energetic and generally angry, which are staples of good hardcore.
119 is a solid album for fans of hardcore punk (and skaters, by extension), but I would think that fans of Odd Future might enjoy it as well. I can’t see it appealing to people who aren’t fans of either, though. At the least, I’d imagine the songs would make for a great live show.
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