Over the past couple of years it has been the “straight-edge” punk scene that has brought me the most pleasure and taken up the majority of my time and money. However, I’d still be the first to admit that it all too frequently veers towards the formulaic and predictable. With their third full length, and Deathwish Inc.’s 100th release, Philadelphia’s Blacklisted may just have changed the game.
No One Deserves to be Here More Than Me is a record that catches you off guard. Blacklisted have always managed to stand out from the hardcore crowd, but this album is such a departure that it takes several spins of its 27 minute length to really accept it’s the same band.
The aggression has been toned down. The constituent parts – of which there are now many – given more room to breathe. The result is less immediate than Blacklisted’s previous releases, and certainly far from what I was expecting. But the payoff becomes more and more apparent the more you listen. Swirling violins and brass make appearances, not your typical punk accoutrements. This is a record you can sit and indulge in as much as throw down to.
I wasn’t at all sure of this album to begin with. It was just such a change from what I was expecting. Having listened to it 8 times in the past 24 hours, I can safely say any fears have been quashed. This is a record which could change the face of hardcore. This is a of record that will inspire kids to form bands. This is the best thing to happen to the scene in a while.
No One Deserves to be Here More Than Me is vinyl only and available exclusively from Deathwish Inc. mail-order.
