Casey Jones

Item: The Few, The Proud, The Crucial
Author: Kriss Stress

The Few, The Proud, The Crucial

(2004)

Reviewed by Kriss Stress

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Label Indianola RecordsDecapolisApril 2004

hardcore hardcore punk melodic hardcore

It would appear that Casey Jones is breathing new life into a genre that's been losing more and more traction amidst its own militant cliches and musical limitations. But seeing as how straight edge hardcore was never about musical efficiency (which could arguably be considered a good thing) and always about fist pumping anthemic preaching (reference points: Out of Step circa Minor Threat, Straight Edge In Your Face circa Ten Yard Fight), Casey Jones does it better than most.

Consisting of members of Evergreen Terrace and Xtime to dieX, the band plays fast and positive hardcore that bolts to the finish line much like the ghosts of its genre's past (reference Gorilla Biscuits and Youth Brigade for added impact) and succeeds at writing catchy singalongs that are bound to make many a youth crew throw their X infected hands up in the air in revelry.

While such tirades as If You're Smoking In Here, You Better Be On Fire and Know This X might be tiring to some, for those who are wholly devoted to the lifestyle, well...meet your new saviours.

3.5/4