I picked up this lovely LP at a Haymaker show in Toronto for only five bucks. As soon as I got home I played the Varsity side and to tell you the truth, I expected a whole lot better. Varsity was a hyped up band and they were said to be one of the leading groups who played the Youth Crew genre of Hardcore. I mean, the songs are well put together with melody, mosh, and sing-alongs but Matt's (vocalist) voice is some what high pitched and wimpy. I gave this side of the album some time to grow on me and it sure did but I can still name over 25 old school Hardcore bands who do it better than Varsity. Anyways, Varsity has the typical posi type lyrics about having fun, straight edge, animal rights etc. But there is one song titled "Conquered By Love" which tells about how guys use girls for only sex. This is one of the stand out tracks including "Cold Shoulder", "Simple Answers", and "Selfish". Varsity is a great band (who are now broken up) but with all the hype I expected better.

Now on to Bloodpact. Bloodpact plays thrashy political Hardcore with well thought out lyrics. There is even lyrical explanations (why the fukk don't all bands do this? geeez). 11 songs and an explanation (on the insert) about how Hardcore should never find its way into pop culture. If you think music videos are Hardcore I will do the pleasure of saying go fukk your self. It's nice to know that some bands support DIY Hardcore and its independence. "This is the Way" tells about how in the future when machines do everything for us then what the fukk would we do? Lots of sincere lyrics and angry breakdowns is what to expect from Bloodpact (who are from Ann Arbor Michigan by the way). If you can find a copy of this you should get it. Besides it's a hell of a lot better than Victory Record's new releases. Ewww!!! Five Stars for this one!!!

Plus Minus Records (+/-) - 1999