After The Fall/Transitions - Split 7"
1. Together We Can (Transitions)
2. Speechless
3. Within Reach
4. Escape (After The Fall)
5.It's Her Choice
Raise Your Fist Records 016
Two hardcore bands from Albany, NY offer five songs for this diverse split 7" , which in my mind shows there no confines based on style or execution in the D.I.Y. music scence. Transitions belts out three tracks of in your face hardcore with positive lyrics and heavy breakdowns, like Bane and Verse, while After The Fall contributes two songs of fast, cathchy hardcore punk with melodic vocals like Propagandhi and 88 Fingers Louie.
Transitions starts this record off with a sense of ponderous virulence slowly building up to a musical insurrection. The music is technically profficient in the sense that its rhythm is the driving force behind its intensity. These are seasoned musicians, that are dead on with each other, with the kind of musicianship that is second nature, yet not second to the lyrics, which as vague as they are, have a general sense of hope and aspiration to always be a better person. There is a serious lack of positive vibes coming out of the scene today, but these keep the unity call alive. These lyrics may have been inspired by personal moments, but they speak to a large audience. In "Together We Can," the band writes "When you fall, I will be right there. To help you back up. The sense of community that we have been striving for." Its so uplifting to hear band sing words like these.
Track two, "Speechless" deals with exactly what it says: a loss for words. There is also a self-awareness that says "but still I move on taking the less traveled path. I still can't find the words, the air escapes my lungs. Its almost as if actions are intuitive to people and almost impossible to describe at the same time. As a matter of fact, I think that is called a "gut reaction" I can definitely relate to that.
Track three, "Within Your Reach," is more of the motivational speech of their songs. The song tells us to "set your goals and follow them through. Don't give up, never back down." It really does seem generic, but they're also necessary subjects, amidst all the tough-guy thuggery and separatist behavior that can plague a scene.
Overall, Transitions sound angry, fast and heavy, but provide a positive outlook on life and the D.I.Y. music scene at large.
After The Fall have the same hardcore intensity as Transitions, but with a lot more melody and socially/politically conscious lyrics. Not to say that Transitions lyrics are not also political asethetically, but After The Fall touches on specific subjects such as the shameful jurisprudence of the United States and the attack on a woman's right to choose. Musically speaking, the songs are super fast, but with lots of vocal melody and a hefty fare of guitar octaves and intricate picking patterns and rhythms. I think their guitarist Mikey Moak was really inspired by "Potemkin City Limits," by Propagandhi. This influence is definitely visible in their opening track, "Escape," but fades away to a more angry, straight-forward type of hardcore in "It's her Choice, reminiscent of the earlier Transitions Tracks (although I believe ATF plays in E Flat as opposed to the standard tuning that Transitions stick with.
So lets check out the lyrics. In "Escape," the band says "Will you die alone and angry or escape their fucking plan? You'll find a better way of life. Unforgiving court system has left you with no other choice but to run and don't look back, you'll find a better way." I am pleased to see somebody bring up the topic of of our unjust and discriminatory judicial system, which does more to uphold poverty and racism than it does to protect our population. Its definitely not an easy thing to talk about, but ATF doesn't give a fuck, because the world and our human dignity is more important.
After The Fall doesn't rely on poetic verses and lyrical imagery to get a point across. In "It's Her Choice," they say "It's her body and it's her right so fuck off you old white bastards. Let women decide. Let women make the call." It doesn't get much better than that. They don't give a fuck about social constructions of masculinity and are not ashamed of their feminism. And if they were, then why the fuck would they be playing hardcore?
I believe these records are available in green, orange and black vinyl. Mine is orange and its labeled #125 out of 300. Yes, thats right. There are only 300 of these bad boys, so if you want a copy, head over to http://www.myspace.com/afterthefall518 or http://www.myspace.com/transitions518.
After the Fall is also playing at 242 Main in Burlington, VT on September 29th with Energy (Bridge 9 Records). I think Transitions plays the Albany area a lot, as well as Plattsburgh and NYC. Check 'em out!
