The Fiction are in my opinion one
of the more exciting contemporary hardcore acts. Shifting between
genres, good songwriting,etc... are all factors which makes this
release again something to be excited about. "A strange case..."
starts off really manic, but they totally break it down more and
more towards the end. Getting a real groove on and ending with a
swing. The guitar and bass sound really awesome at the beginning
of "Inside outsiders". Nice and clean instrumentation,
going to more up-tempo discordant riffing. This one will get the
kids moving for sure. Yups, The Fiction has done it again.
Now over to the Birthday Boyz. Despite the silly name, they will
be marked in my great book of hardcore as a 'not bad,definitely
want to hear more' band. They're more of a typical screamo outfit,
with the whole breakdown time-to-clap-your-hands and repetitive
build up package; reminding me a bit of The Khayembii Communique
at times. They are really good at what they do, and the recording
is excellent. Although they have a weird love for Michael Jordan...
Great stuff from both bands !