Originally published in Verbicide issue #3

Sarcastic, self-deprecating, and cynical, Boston-based foursome A Thousand Times No delivers a half-hour of fast-paced hardcore punk rock on their first full-length, Trust Is Obsolete. The music is in the vein of Circle Jerks and Black Flag; at times, the vocals remind me a bit of Raybeez from Warzone.

The highlight of the album (along with the numerous memorable movie outtakes) is the sixth track, “Words of  Self Pity Mumbled in Withering Tones,” a perfect combination of post-breakup fury, and satirical self-pity. Vocalist/lyricist Robbie states, “There’s millions of people starving around the world/all I can do is sit and cry about this girl.” Track four, “Combover Guy,” immortalizes “Sudbury’s baldest townie turd” as a man who can’t get a girl because “Rogaine didn’t work for shit,” and there’s a (lyrically “top-secret”) rap in it too. “Single Bar for Anarchists” takes a critical look at sexism in the scene; tracks such as “Summer” and “Common Loss” discuss the hypocrisy and apathy of a “bored generation.” Trust Is Obsolete is intelligent but fun, and makes social and political commentary without appearing preachy or obnoxious.

(self-released, no address provided)