Broke Up Review by Peter J. D'Angelo
With 23 songs documenting the entire 1992-1994
recording history of N.Y.'s 1.6 Band, the aptly titled posthumous
discography Broke Up is a nice package that documents an underrated
hardcore force. Featuring everything from the group's initial demos to
their final sessions, the group is a powerhouse of early hardcore styles
reminiscent of much of the Revelation Records releases from around the
same period. Singer Kevin Egen has a monstrous voice, and his style
rarely shifts from straight screaming, but his vocal presence drives the
music to some intense levels. The guitar lines drip with distorted
metal riffs, giving an extra edge to the already brutal attack of 1.6,
but the playing is actually pretty impressive in itself and makes the
group sound like more than just an average hardcore act. There's even a
bit of straight guitar shredding on a few tracks, which, though
seemingly unnecessary, actually succeeds in adding some variety to the
usual approach of constant screaming and shorter than usual track times.
Broke Up is probably for hardcore enthusiasts only, but, for what it
is, it is near the top of the field. The songs are consistent, the music
is well recorded and energized, and there are some moments that are
noticeably more creative than most of the band's peers. 1.6 Band isn't
the first group mentioned when '90s hardcore comes up, but, after a few
listens to this disc, it may seem like they deserve a little more credit
than they've received.
Tracklist
| 1 |
Pushing Shit Back Into My Ass |
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| 2 |
Bullet To The Brain |
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| 3 |
Back In Church |
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| 4 |
Lollipops |
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| 5 |
These Giants |
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| 6 |
Threads |
|
| 7 |
Cancer In My Backyard |
|
| 8 |
Keeping My From Killing You |
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| 9 |
Plastic Bags |
|
| 10 |
Squelched |
|
| 11 |
Throwing Rocks |
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| 12 |
One Eye Open |
|
| 13 |
Adult Hitler |
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| 14 |
Trying |
|
| 15 |
Sticks To The Skin |
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| 16 |
Let Me Breath |
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| 17 |
Beef Stew |
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| 18 |
Your Restaurant |
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| 19 |
Stomach Pains |
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| 20 |
Wipe |
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| 21 |
Unfriendly |
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| 22 |
Substitute |
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| 23 |
Up For Sale |