Finally, a GOOD hardcore album

Artist: Enlow
Album: The Recovery
Label: Blood & Ink Records
Tracks: 9
Length: 32:05
Reviewed by: Jeff

 

Just about the time you think that hardcore has turned into nothing more than a memory, surrounded by an ever emerging wave of metalcore and screamo, along comes Enlow, single-handedly renewing your faith in good old fashioned hardcore.

There are a number of things Enlow does right.  First off, they summoned the producing strength of Stephen Egerton, of Descendants/ALL fame, to produce and record their 2nd full length.  Who better to work with than one of the pioneering musicians of the scene.  Musically, Enlow succeeds at churning out a well-thought out, original sound, easily reminiscent of some of the best hardcore of the mid-90's, just before the 'new school' sound emerged.

The band was opened to the possibility of fading into the shadows by taking a hiatus in 2004, after the release of their debut "The Desperate Letters" in 2003.  What happened, however, was just the opposite.  The band has a strong following with the release of "The Recovery", and it's easy to see why.  From beginning to end, the album is filled with strong songwriting, uplifting and positive lyrics, and an undeniable hardcore sound that is difficult, if not impossible, to get into.

This cd shows that true hardcore is not dead, nor is it impossible to make a solid album devoid of the label of being 'metalcore', or 'emocore'.  The only downside is that the 9 tracks on this album come in just over 32 minutes.  With the strength of this album, the band could have easily added another 3 or 4 songs, and made the album closer to 45 minutes.  It wouldn’t have been overkill.  All in all, you can definitely expect big things this year from Enlow.