The Distance
If You Lived Here You'd Be Home Already
Think Fast! Records

Although they have yet to release a debut full length, this is The Distance’s collection of songs put together on one easily purchasable album. Featuring two new tracks, their release on Bridge9 (Your Closest Enemies), the three way split 7" (Some Kind Of Hate and Outbreak), their self released demo, 3 live tracks from CBGB’s and two covers, (Dramarama’s, "anything, anything" and Minor Threats, "Filler") totaling 13 tracks in 23 minutes. If you haven’t heard of these Connecticut natives, they play a pretty straight ahead style of hardcore taking nods from bands like Negative Approach and Carry On. However the two new tracks show them progressing from their stripped down youth crew hardcore sound to a much more diverse approach to song writing, putting more emphasis on catchy hooks and melodically tinged verses. Definitely going for that AFI meets Give Up The Ghost. Usually I can’t stand that shit, because at the moment bands like Comeback Kid and With Honor are making a killing doing the same shit but The Distance do it without losing touch with their original roots, so rather than sounding like they are trying to cash in on a trend they are just growing into their sound. The vocal approach of Jay Reason (owner and operator of Stillborn and Martyr Records) really takes the bands new sound to another plateau, whether it’s a melodic chorus, or a sped up verse he is able to maintain a high level of anger and desperation as he belts out one emotionally charged line after another. Probably the most important aspect of this release, aside from the two new gems, is the mastering job which brings all of the 5 recording sessions together, everything is crisp and clear and maintains the same fluid sound throughout, unlike most of these albums done in the same vein which fall victim to sounding like 4 different recordings on one album. So just that alone makes this worthy of picking up if you follow the band, because the demo sounds better than ever as does their EP and three way split. And I must say their two covers are AMAZING, their take on Minor Threats "Filler" is like none I’ve ever heard and almost sounds better than the original and their cover of Dramarama’s "Anything, Anything," does sound better than the original, Jay Reason really nailed that song. Shit is lovely. My sole problem with this release is the layout is lacking, it only features lyrics for the two new songs with no pictures or linear notes. If you have yet to get down with The Distance this is the perfect opportunity for you to hop on the train with and if you already own all their material, the two new songs are more than enough for the price of admission, which is a mere 9 bones.

Rating: 4.3/5

Songs Worthy of Replay-Filler (Minor Threat), Drowning In Details(new), Phase Two Is About To Be Implemented (new)

Thesis: The two new songs shows much growth in their sound, which is sure to have kids hype for their full length. The covers and two songs, alone make this worth picking up, the live tracks and re mastered songs are just icing on the cake.