Reviews

Once upon a time, there was a thing called vinyl.  And vinyl was how music was heard in the comfort of ones home.  Since its creation, technological advances have given us the 8-track, the cassette, the compact disc, and now the mp3.  It appeared that vinyl was somewhat of a lost art form.  But it has always played an important part in underground music; unfortunately, not as of late.
 
That is until I received Police and Thieves P/T seven inch released in 2006 on Higher Conscience records.  Let me tell you I was fuckin’ psyched when I got it.  Not because I had any knowledge of the band but because I received a vinyl fuckin’ record.  And the first thing I thought was any band that puts out a seven inch have to be the bees fuckin’ knees.  And I love it when I am right.
 
This four-song release is a throwback to the days of 80’s east coast hardcore, in the vein of Black Flag, Minor Threat and Gorilla Biscuits; fist pumping anthems that keep your head banging for nine and a half minutes.
 
The 7-inch begins with the track “Harbors.”  The pounding drums lead in over ringing feedback and the drum roll introduces the guitars that kick you in the fucking throat.  “Save your words, I’ll let them float in the harbor,” almost telling me to shut the fuck up and let the song speak for itself.  From its gang vocals, to its muted guitar choruses, to its ripping solos, this track is the shit; no filler, all rock.
 
Track two is called “Transparent Smiles,” and this track is also fucking exceptional.  Bass and drums lead off the track until the vocals and the guitars come in, full force.  The the track arrives at the bridge; a four count on an open high hat brings in a muted guitar that allows the front man to chime in, in a spoken word style that is east coast hardcore to a “t.”
 
Track three, “…For ideals,” is a political anthem asking you to question the war and our current president.  “Does it hurt when you see, the amount that we’re losing the number of casualties,” is something that rings true in this present day and age.  And also keeps it true to the messages and ideals that the east coast hardcore bands used to present in the days of President Reagan.  Musically, another song that will just kick your ass, lyrically, a song that will make you question this war; “we don’t know the truth, we are being misled.
 
The record closes with “Strangers in the Same Town.”  It starts off kind of slow.  Not slow in a good way.  The intro is a bit boring.  The progression is nothing to get excited about.  But the song redeems itself when it starts to get going again.  After the raw energy finally appears, the pseudo mellow intro falls into place.  But at first it threw me off a little bit.  Definitely my least favorite track on this release and, in my opinion, it should not have held the closing spot.  However, it still is a good song, possibly better suited in a different position
 
All in all, this seven inch is fucking great.  The songs are short and to the point.  The lyrics are well crafted and the music is in your face.  This is just about everything an east coast hardcore record should be.  Fans of the classics shan’t be disappointed.
 
I give this record three out of five stars.