Search - Various Artists :: Initial Extreme Sampler

I can't fake the funk, for me, this is where it started...

paper cuts | PDX | 02/09/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I can't explain it, I learned a lot about music early on from listening to comps like this. Of course- I realize that times change, even more rapidly then the previous... and I can't expect any newer listeners of the millions of hardcore albums being churned out like fast food to heed this recommendation... yet here I am reaching back all these years to this... to this thing. I originally picked it up sophomore year (2000), christ that was long ago, at a fu**in Hot Topic (what? I was trying too hard.). This comp put out by Initial, became (against its own will, of course) the sound track to my life: kicked out of my house, joining a crap alt. band, stealing liquor from rich kids. Sorry, I'm reaching.... but, really, this was an incredible introduction to "emo" (what a lame title for a style so rad) like Elliot, Give until Gone, Jazz June, Jejune. And my first glimpse at behemoths like Coalesce, Botch, Cave In, Darkest Hour. All these tracks are amazing, and have since been paved over by imitators... and, whew, what an assemblage of musical styles. A history lesson of a time when bands and scenesters still brought literature, and a huge box of independent cd's and 7"s to shows.

Lord, have mercy."