Truth Inside - Best Times

Truth Inside is a youth crew band from Florida formed in 2009. They have since released a demo, this EP (entitled Best Times), a split, and have appeared on various compilations. They've toured Europe, numerous smaller two-week runs in the US, have just finished up their second full US tour and are writing new material. A pretty impressive track record thus far; let's see how this EP holds up.

Truth Inside has a modern sound (not to mention great production) that while clearly pays homage to 80s straight edge and youth crew bands, keeps it fresh, catchy, PMA, and most importantly does this style (which may seem overdone recently) justice.

“Perspective” is a speedy track that wastes no time introducing the EP. An interesting start-stop dynamic is used, followed by a slower chord progression accompanied by a drum fill which gives the track time to breathe. About three quarters through the song is where everyone cuts out but the bass, which comes rumbling in and sets the pace for the breakdown. The line “What really hurts us makes us stronger/What doesn’t stop us strengthens us longer” takes the song to its climax, letting the breakdown take the tack to its end.

“Abusive Ways” follows in similar fashion, but about halfway through the track a groovier passage hits, leading into an anthemic chorus. The chord progression used in the intro and throughout the track is especially catchy. The shortest song on the EP at 1:18, it is also the most serious. While still positive, it criticizes those who treat others poorly and don’t change.

Next up is the title track, “Best Times.” It’s impossible not to be enjoying the 7” by this point. This track basically expresses how awesome it is to be in a band and be a part of hardcore. Lines like “Leave your problems at the door/These memories we generate will last” are sure to induce maximum sing-along potential at shows.

To be fair, with track titles like “Unity” and “Abstain,” I don’t necessarily have to spell out what’s going on. Positive messages on equality, breaking free of vices that the world puts on us all, being straight edge is a personal decision, etc. have a solid musical backbone of catchy and quick hardcore. (If you wait around for a little bit, you’ll hear the screech of skateboard wheels and the skater anthem “Skate Dawgs comes in.”)

This is a great effort by a band that is hard-working and still has a great time doing it. If you’re looking for something full of anger and hate, you’re in the wrong place (as if the cartoon caricatures weren’t obvious enough for you). Stagedives, high fives, and positive vibes are the name of the game for Truth Inside. If you’re a fan of any 80’s straight edge hardcore, youth crew, punky hardcore, or just looking for a fun 11 and a half minutes of music, there’s no excuse not to download their jams-they’re all free via their bandcamp.

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