TRC “The Story So Far” Album Review
TRC
Chris Robson – Vocals
Anthony Carroll – Vocals
Charlie Wilson – Guitar
Ben Taylor Dingwall – Guitar
Oliver Reece – Bass
Lasselle Lewis – Drums
review by Denise Borders
@punkworldviews
TRC (which apparently stands for The Revolution Continues) is a UK hardcore band that I was not familiar with previous to listening to this new record. I felt like sort of an asshole when I received it for review actually because it looks like I had their previous album in my iTunes (sent to me for review, I guess), but I never got around to it. Now kids, this happens A LOT, but that’s just the way the goddamn cookie crumbles.
Anyway, the reason for my asshole-feelings is because once I give the record a whirl, I was like OH SHIT. The band has described themselves as the embodiment of London hardcore, and I can definitely see that. I think they induce a lot of unbalanced cartwheels if you know what I mean.
Available Oct. 23, 2012 on No Sleep Records
Track List:
1. #TEAMUK
2. Heartless
3. Cocky Is Back
4. Bastard
5. Diamonds From the Smoke
6. Sweatbox
7. London’s Greatest Love Story
I was a bit skeptical when I saw the first track was something with a hashtag… that is until I actually pressed play. #TEAMUK is a strong track to start the album with. It shows both the band’s hometown pride and displays their general sound. At this point, it reminds me of Enter Shikari, another British hardcore (but sort of techno-ish…) band that does a lot of talking in addition to the regular hardcore vocals. The chorus is pretty catchy and I really like the unsteady rhythm of the drums, it’s refreshing actually. I sound like a jackass, don’t I? Fuckin eh.
Heartless is right up my alley, being that I am a cold, dead soul and all. This track starts off way more thrashy, which I LOVE. The lyrics are really bold, and I definitely like it when bands just don’t give a fuck. “I told you when I met you I wasn’t looking for love / I’ve got my eyes on the prize / I’m just looking to fuck” It’s like that, y’all.
Cocky is Back reminds me more of the first track than the second, but still has a great hardcore beat throughout the entire song. Most bands with two singers have distinctly different voices, but I actually don’t know which is singing what part in these tracks. I am sort of assuming that one guy does most of the talking parts and the other is screaming, but what do I know? I’m a woman.
Bastard is probably the least powerful track on the album, but still not bad. I think this band’s passion really comes through, which leads me to believe that their live show is probably killer. Actually, I did read that their shows can get pretty violent. I know everyone is all PMA this and PMA that, but I think there’s something old school as fuck about a little violence at a hardcore show. I mean, a bloody nose here and there doesn’t mean that someone got pissed and tried to start a brawl, it’s just what happens sometimes. THOSE BASTARDS! (see what I did there)
Digging into the second half of the EP, Diamonds From the Smoke is a GREAT track. These songs make me wish I knew the words so I could scream along and shit. I’ll just head bang alone in my car for now. These guys have to be tired as hell after singing these tracks. If they play this live and there ISN’T a circle pit, they must be playing to a bunch of fucking zombie fucks or something because I can’t see that not ensuing immediately.
SWEATY BETTY! Oh, I mean Sweatbox. This song sounds fucking badass from the beginning because the opening line is, “WELCOME TO THE SWEATBOX” like whaaaat. This is more of a breakdown song with a lot of kick drum… I think the hardcore kiddos will be super into this one. There’s a rhythm change about a minute in that I think will make the crowd go fucking insane. This far into the record, I am convinced that these a-holes probably put on a really good show and I have to catch one or Ima’ get mad ‘n shit.
The album finishes off with London’s Greatest Love Story. Awww… you guys! This band has been hard as fuck this whole record, and I’m listening to this song trying to figure out if the title is sarcastic or for real. It sounds like whoever wrote the song maybe fell for someone but doesn’t really believe in love. Maybe he’s torn? Maybe he’s actually a hopeless romantic but just comes off like a total hardass because some asshole ripped his heart straight from his chest making it hard for him to ever love again? DID YOU EVER THINK ABOUT THAT?
You can order the new EP from the No Sleep online store and check out their latest music video from the second track off the album, Heartless.
https://www.facebook.com/trchardcore
https://twitter.com/trcofficial
http://trclbu.tumblr.com
About the Author
Denise Borders 39, Los Angeles. Denise founded PWV in 2008 and remains the primary manager and photographer/videographer. She is not secretly obsessed with Joey Cape.
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