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GIVE
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SONIC BLOOM
REVIEW OF BOOTS OF FAITH 7”
From MRR332 ‘ I saw GIVE on tour in San Francisco about a year ago. Like LION OF JUDAH (they were on tour together and I believe they also share members), GIVE draws on a variety of post-hardcore sounds, such as SALAD DAYS- era MINOR THREAT, Revolution Summer acts like RITES OF SPRING, and late 80’s melodic hardcore such as SWIZ. While LION OF JUDAH has a progressive hardcore sound (fast and slow parts and lots of tempo changes breaking them up), GIVE are more melodic and at least on the B-side, a lot poppier. As someone who doesn’t listen to many of the above-mentioned bands, but who enjoys hardcore punk, pop music, and lots in between, I think this is an excellent release with a lot to offer anyone with an interest in these older bands or just an open mind. Highly recommended.
This is the second single from Give this summer, and it’s twice as good as the first. While “Heaven is Waiting” was recorded in the same Inner Ear Studio sessions as this one, it featured the first two songs they wrote and practiced as the current incarnation of the band. Essentially, “Boots of Faith” is the first glimpse as to what we can expect from Give in the future. While they may still wear their eclectic influences proudly/loudly on their sleeves, these guys seem more focused and in control than before. Highlights: the main riff on side A is haunting and the ending of the B side is killer. The lyrics which gave me goosebumps on the 12”, gave me butterflies this time around. “Shaking hands with the smiling sun..” Hell yes. Lowlights: It’s not an LP! Rating: [5 of 5 Stars!]