Reviews

A startlingly good debut EP by this New York State hardcore band. It took me a few listens, but I figured out who the singer reminded me of when he’s not doing his screamo hollering: Jeff Ott. After drawing that connection, the Fifteen/Crimpshrine comparisons began to flow like wine at a hipster party. The insightful lyrics, the political commentary sealed the deal for me, man, these guys are similar. Of course Marathon rose from NYHC bands like Standfast, De La Hoya, and Sparks Light the Friction and sound nothing like ether aforementioned Berkeley-based bands, but the facts didn’t faze me. Topics range from war to the effects of pornography on a man above sexism and back to war again. Worth the price of admission alone is track five: “Our Dictator Can Beat Up Your Dictator,” an amazing wartime song. Lines such as “true patriots know when to shut up and wave flags” and “Hear this: We will not fight your war” perfectly express the uncertainty of opposing the monolith that is the USA when they’re the ones with all the guns. Also great is the song title (and truism) “Bombs Make Lousy Tourniquets.” Definitely check these guys out for their Kid Dynamite-esque sound and their university level language.