Seven songs, 18 minutes…this is more like it. Hostage Life come from the same Canadian background as Closet Monster and Protest the hero and they play a caustic-humoured melodic hardcore in the mould of a Dillinger Four or Propagandhi. While the music may not quite live up to either of those two bands (this is the band’s debut EP re-released in Europe on HHN) it’s still pretty impressive. It’s fast, furious, catchy and cynical – a real punk rock record with plenty of potential.
Sonically the band stick to a pretty solid formula of fast guitar licks and shouty in-yer-face vocals. The band’s bio states they are influenced by The Clash and Stiff Little Fingers which, if the two bands were given a 21st Century makeover, would be a decent reference point. But it’s lyrically where Hostage Life really stand out. ‘Happy 2000 And Anything’, in the liner notes, is renamed: “In New York It Rained Bodies, In Kabul It Rained Bombs and To A Lesser extent Food Packages.” That’s the opening line of the notes – a definite sign of things to come.
From capitalism to 9/11, a lot of ‘touchy’ subjects are discussed over the course of the 9 tracks. Nike get a hammering on the fabulous ‘Nickel Sneakers’ too. There’s a cynical wit here that Dillinger have trademarked, and that’s what makes Hostage Life so damn interesting. As a prelude to a brand new record later this year, this re-release serves as an excellent introduction and starting point. If Hostage Life can build on what they already have, that full-length will be very special indeed.
www.hostagelife.com
Householdname Records
paul