Token EntryI am and always will be in total support of re-issues that revive classics such as these. The albums featured on this album are extremely hard to come by and even if you did find them they would cost you a pretty penny.
During the course of their career, which spanned from 1980 through 1990, Token Entry released three full length albums (1."From Beneath The Streets" 2. "Jaybird" and 3."Weight of The World") as well as an EP. This re-issue features the latter, I'm guessing the only reason they didn't include the first was because they couldn't fit it, although they could've made it a full on discography and made it a 2-disc.
Either way, this album features 22 songs that total close to 55 minutes of music. The first half "Jaybird" is a straight up NYHC/skate punk offering that you would often associate with early 80's hardcore, complete with bursts of sweet hardcore leads. For the most part the songs move at a fast pace until they slow it down to a mid paced groove which usually last 1/3rd of the song.
The second half of the album "Weight of The World" is a complete departure from the sounds laid down on the first half. It is a culmination of NYHC, skate punk and funk almost like Gorilla Biscuits, Red Hot Chilli Peppers Bad Brains and the Beastie Boys all thrown into a blender. The basslines are super funky and add a lot of spice to the songs, and for the most part the bass is out on its own doing it's own thing while the guitars throw some spice into the mix ("Lucky Seven" really showcases this, they even throw some salsa type shit into the mix). The vocals are also drastically different from the first half to the second. The first half the vocals are more scream/sung whereas the vocals on the second half are rapped, and yes they sound fucking sweet in both regards.
The lyrics touch on a myriad of things, everything from the violence that plagues inner cities, the flaws of the capitalism, the joys of skateboarding and even a track that takes a stand against prostitution ("Pink Things").
Both albums were produced by Dr. Know of the Bad Brains. The first 11 tracks of the album ("Jaybird") sound rough around the edges, which actually works well for this album, even if it is a bit thin. The second half of the album ("Weight of The World") sounds like it came straight out of a big time studio. The most noticeable tone is the bass, which sounds flippin' awesome. It really accents all the slapping and popping that is used throughout the album. The rest of the guys get their proper treatment as well.
I always love getting re-issues, discographies such as this because more often then not there is ton of good shit to read, cool flyers to look at, etc,. The booklet opens up with some informative linear notes from Civ of Gorilla Biscuits, Ray Cappo of Youth of Today, Toby Morse of H2O and Bryan Kienlen of Bouncin' Souls (which TE really helped get out there). The next section includes the artwork for "Jaybird" as well as the lyrics with the same treatment given to the second half of the album "Weight of The World". Throughout all 16 pages there are various logos that the band used contrasted slickly into the background. There are pictures of the band on the back of the booklet, in the tray and the back of the tray which are silhouetted in gold, which looks killer. It would've been cool if they could've added some flyers but for all the other shit found in here, it isn't too big of a deal.
Rating: 5/5
Songs Worthy of Replay: Lucky Seven, I Don't Wanna Go Back, Pink Things and The Fire
Synopsis: Of the two albums, "Weight of The World" is definitely the most dynamic and most enjoyable to listen to, but it isn't like "Jaybird" is any slouch either. This is a great way for kids to be introduced to one of the most influential bands in hardcore history. I'm sure you can find this from various distros like Very.com and Interpunk.com If you are unfamiliar with these guys and want to find out who influenced a great deal of the bands you more than likely listen to today, buy this and get schooled.