LPCDreissues: Looking forward to the past

180 gram audiophile vinyl
8-page booklet

United By Fate is the debut album from by post-Hardcore band Rival Schools. The album was produced by Grammy Award-winning producer Luke Ebbin. Led by the former frontman of Quicksand and Gorilla Biscuits, guitarist Walter Schreifels, Rival Schools contain a who's who of the New York post-Hardcore scene, and their first full-length actually lives up to the expectations raised by their pedigree.

From the opening "Travel by Telephone" to the heavy-noise breakdowns of the instrumental closer, "Hooligans for Life," Rival Schools rarely let up on their melodic but forceful attack, and when they do briefly slow down, the success of their experiments often outweighs the failures. Pummeling tracks like "The Switch" show a commanding recognition of the member's past glories, but there is a rock aspect to the music as well, and Schreifels' stellar voice gives a constant boost to the band's effectiveness.

In their past, individual members of Rival Schools also played in CIV, Burn, and Die116. United By Fate is an impressive first record. "Used For Glue" and "Good Things" were released as singles, which charted at #42 and #74, respectively, on the UK Singles Chart.

Side A
1. Travel By Telephone
2. Everything Has Its Point
3. High Acetate
4. Undercovers On
5. Good Things
6. Used For Glue
7. World Invitational

Side B
1. The Switch
2. Holding Sand
3. My Echo
4. Favorite Star
5. So Down On
6. Hooligans For Life