steering clear of the mainstream
since 2001

june 2010

review
blankred.jpg (4669 bytes)
blankred.jpg (4669 bytes)
blankred.jpg (4669 bytes)
blankred.jpg (4669 bytes)
info opinion

Horace Pinker

"Texas One Ten" CD

Thick Records

Genres: hardcore punk, pop-punk, melodic hardcore

July 12 - 18 2005

Horace Pinker brings on the melodic, readily accessible pop-punk.  Tight compositions hold together angsty but vague lyrics and an arsenal of hooks.  For infectious hardcore, this is pretty good - though at times it becomes a bit too Hoobastank for my taste.  Aside from the "Good Riddance"-like ballad "Texas One Ten," this record's energy is consistently pretty high.  Tracks like "If You Fall" and "Retrospective" are solid, radio-friendly songs of regret and drama, complete with a downtrodden resignation in the music - however, they still maintain a fist-pumping power throughout their duration.  "Exhale to Asphyxiation" and "Still Life" are more brashly aggressive, coupling sensitive choruses with explosive dynamics and vicious performance.  Overall, Texas One Ten is very a solid melodic hardcore and pop-punk disc from a group of scene veterans.

86%

Matt Shimmer

[Vitals: 12 tracks, duration 33:56, distributed by the label, released 2005]