Blank Stare - Self-titled LP [2008]

When I walk the streets at night, I usually listen to Blank Stare. Why, you may ask. I'll tell you why - the city I call home is full of dumbass violent thugs who've got nothing better to do than harass and beat up nice and handsome guys like me. For some strange reason, the overall pissed off-ness (is that even a valid phrase?) of this record rubs off on me and makes me bold enough to tell those assholes to fuck off, but I digress. Anyway, Blank Stare were a hardcore punk band out of Boston, and a great one. Actually, one of the best bands of the last decade, I dare say. Unfortunately, life sucks and the band is no more, but this record is just too damn good to go unmentioned here at Teenage Lobotomy.

Guess I have to say something about the actual music, eh? See that guy on the cover, shooting at the world from his window? Well, that's exactly what this record sounds like, if you know what I mean. No?
I thought so. Basically, what you will find recorded on this album is 9 songs of pure fuckin' hate plus a Last Rights cover. The riffs are tight, the drummer's a maniac and the vocalist sure does sound pissed, which is pretty much awesome! Another thing I like about this record are the lyrics - smart and to the point, but never getting too naive or direct, and that's a pleasant surprise, coming from a sXe band.

Speaking of which, I'm sick and tired of all these "modern" sXe hardcore bands with "deep", "personal" and "inspirational" lyrics that trendy hardcore hipsters usually quote on their Tumblr pages - the lyrics are just pathetic and the bands suck balls. On the other hand, Blank Stare keep things real and therefore do not suck balls.

Yeah, whatever. Enjoy this record here.
Spend money on it at Third Party or Refuse Records.

J.


P.S.
Some Blank Stare members are currently in Social Circkle, Confines and Positive Reinforcement, so check those bands out!