Killing the Dream - Fractures

by Cosmo Lee

The record I’ve listened to most this month is Killing the Dream‘s Fractures (Deathwish Inc., 2008). It’s melodic hardcore punk in the vein of, say, Comeback Kid or With Honor. This sound doesn’t usually grab me, but the execution is so sincere and skillful that I can’t help but give in. Now, “sincerity” is hardly a reliable musical standard; there are plenty of crappy, sincere bands. (I’m reminded of how Linus in Peanuts believes that the Great Pumpkin will rise out of the most “sincere” pumpkin patch.) But though Elijah Horner has only a one-note yell, it feels like it’s about to burst into flame. The guitars mine standard tonalities, but they know when to tiptoe and when to lay waste. I like the songs best when they charge into crazed gallops, where they’re whipping the horse so hard you can’t tell the front of the beat from the back. J. Robbins’ recording is beautiful. Drums sound like drums, and guitars fire left and right unalloyed. Dust off those two-steps and windmills – I know I did.

Thirty Four Seconds
Consequence (What Comes Next)

Buy:
Amazon (MP3)
Deathwish Inc. (CD, LP)