Reviews

Purpose was one of these post-hardcore, post-grunge, pre-emo bands that dangled between the lines of punk rock and whatever it is one might call Ôemotional hardcore.Õ Launched in 1994, the band went through lengthy lineup changes, encompassing over twelve members in their seven-year career. By 2001, Purpose broke up, leaving behind five separate recordings. Apparently thereÕs supposed to be two full-lengths, two seven-inches and the bandÕs final demos on this discography, but IÕm not seeing enough material to encompass two full-lengths. Maybe this isnÕt a complete discography or maybe the labelÕs definition of a full-length is off, I donÕt know. Either way, Black Numbers, a very new and very small label out of New Jersey, decided to collect the generally EP-length recordings of their Jersey-brethren and hence, 1994-2001.

The 27-track CD starts with PurposeÕs strongest release, 1999/2000Õs Art as a Weapon. These six songs show the band at its best: aggressive, energetic, emotional and gritty. The songs from Art as a Weapon sound like whatever Hot Water Music would sound like if they existed in the mid-eighties and was therefore highly influenced by Minor ThreatÑor what Rise Against would sound like if they were, you know, better.

After Art as a Weapon ends, thereÕs a distinctive shift in the overall sound of 1994-2001. Although there are marked differences between the various recordings that follow, theyÕre less noticeable. The rest of the discography runs together a bit, with the notable exception of a few songs. ÒDespairÓ is faster-paced. The heavy bass lines in the intro of ÒTonight,Ó and in the quick, pulsing breakdown of ÒVicious CirclesÓ are pretty rad. Yes, rad. The clean and quiet beginning of ÒHang Your HeadÓ provides a cool, loose opener for a more intense song and makes for one of the albumÕs more unique moments.

1994-2001 ends with a cover of Rites of SpringÕs ÒFor Want OfÓ and a previously unreleased track titled ÒSomething of Value.Ó The dark tone, energy and grungy recording quality caught my attention at the end of the carefully executed Ground Zero demos. Both bring the whole disc together and top off a well-packaged group of songs from an underappreciated band.