Released August 23rd, 2005 on Suicide Squeeze Records
So, first off let me reveal my biases: one, I love Dave Knudson; two, I love Matt Bayles, and third, I love Botch. So you know that part in "Complete Control" by the Clash where Joe Strummer yells over the solo "You're my guitar hero!" well for my money Dave Knudson is my guitar hero, what he does in this band and on stage is amazing. Matt Bayles has produced some of the greatest hardcore records of the past ten years including "We are the Romans" by Botch, "O God, The Aftermath" by Norma Jean, "Chasing Hamburg" by Polar Bear Club, the first two records by the Blood Brothers, the first two records from Mastodon, and a sizable chunk of Minus The Bear's output including this record. Botch does not need explaining, see previous examples.
So therefore this record was an instant classic for me, it kind of had me banging my fist against my head wondering why I hadn't taken the time before to listen to this one. From the opener "The Game Needed Me" to the cerebral lyrics on many of the songs to the beauty and despair on "Pachuca Sunrise" this album was amazing. It, like "Re-arrange Us", lends itself to a remixing, which they did with a full album remix by many guest remixers including P.O.S., a personal favorite of mine. All in all like all of Minus The Bear's albums they are inaccessible but when listened to and reflected upon and listened to again the meanings crack and the listener rewarded. It's like a good steak: this album has all the fat removed, the seasoning is just right and grilled just right.
Rating - 5 out of 5
Best Track - "The Game Needed Me"
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