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:: Toxic Reasons - It's So Silly ::

Toxic Reasons originated as a hardcore band in 1979 Dayton, Ohio, but through numerous line-up changes they ended up with a fairly diverse sounding catalogue, reflecting various influences ranging from reggae-punk to British post-punk. They are probably best known for their first lp, 1982's "Independence," which featured rough-voiced vocalist Ed Pittman (who left the band after that record) proclaiming they were "born to be hardcore" (Noise Boys). That record was reissued recently by Beer City Records. For me, their third lp, 1985's "Within These Walls" is their most interesting release. They go in a decidedly different direction, or rather many different directions, than the earlier hardcore sound. You can't classify this album; there's a bunch of different influences going on here that each song sounds like its from a different genre than the next. One song, "Dreamer", sounds so eerily like the Psychedelic Furs that you'd think Richard Butler came in for the recording sessions. This disparity from song to song might normally be a recipe for disaster, but the album is held together by the intelligence of each song's well-constructed melodies, as evidenced in the guitar lines of this song, Its So Silly.


Phil

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