Down To Nothing Life On The James

Some bands aim to stretch the boundaries of their given genre, delve into new and uncharted waters, or rebel against established musical norms. While entering unexplored territory can be exciting, there is something comforting about familiarity. The knowledge that something you've grown fond of will provide consistency despite the ever-changing world around it. This is what Down to Nothing has come to represent. No glitz, no glamour, just straight forward hardcore delivered with minimal variation or compromise. Forming in 2000, Down to Nothing has been one of the most heralded and reliable bands in the Richmond, Virginia hardcore scene over the past decade. Through their four full-length albums, as well as their numerous splits, this group of straight edge southerners have persistently produced hard-hitting music, and continue to impress with Life On The James. While this second offering through Revelation Records may not surprise many people, it will definitely please those who are looking for the no-holds-barred style of hardcore that bands like Terror and Trapped Under Ice have popularized. The most noticeable distinction between Down to Nothing and similar artists is their unabashed punk influences. The opening track, "When I Rest I Rust" blends quickened skate-punk tempos and polished hooks, which helps start the album off on a noticeable upswing. Following this, "Dirty South," "Life on the James" and "Sheffield" act as aggression-fueled love letters to the band's hometown. Since Boston, New York, and Los Angeles bands have long been guilty of this type of geographic worship, it is refreshing to see a group that openly embraces their southern roots in such an unapologetic fashion. Each of these tracks uses mid-tempo rhythms and memorable gang-vocal choruses to create songs that are both brazenly hardcore and yet clearly punk inspired. "No Leash" and "Brothers Turned Strangers" are two of the albums better offerings, with dynamic guitar work, straight forward song writing, and relentlessly abrasive and guttural vocals. While the high points are delivered halfway through the record, it doesn't mean that this album's second half yields even in the slightest. Songs like "Cardinal" and "Fish Ain't Bitin'" and "Draw 4" help sustain a sonic barrage that would no doubt impress the most strident hardcore fans. It is this stylistic consistency that is both appreciated by many and seems slightly daunting to others, as one track quickly bleeds into the next as the album wears on. While each song, taken individually, is generally solid and balanced, over the span of an entire record there is an interchangeability and lack of diversity that can slightly tarnish the listening experience. Bottom Line: Life On the James is an impressive mix of crushing hardcore and punk ferocity. While falling short of writing a truly great record, Down to Nothing continues to deliver notable and exciting songs.