This is one that will most certainly kick your ass ten times until Sunday. Of Misery And Toil, the second full-length from Young Livers, a fervent and dedicated four-piece that only adds to the already strong reputation that No Idea Records has built for itself. If you get a chance to come up for air throughout these eleven invigorated and propulsive punk-metal tracks, consider yourself lucky. Each track, from the hopeful yet still punishing feel of “Finger To The Pulse” to the riff-heavy title track is sweaty in feel and grand in sonic scope. Punk and metal have never represented the most hopeful of ethos, but Of Misery And Toil, ironically enough, gets the job done with brute force. Still, expect to finish each spin with a smile on your face.
No, Of Misery And Toil doesn’t exactly present itself as the kind of listen that will see you through life’s more trying times. But that’s why the record works: it bludgeons you over the head with a heavy dose of reality. In times of distress, ugly music can provide you comfort. Still, Of Misery And Toil is an excellently-recorded listen and may just be the kick in the ass you need.
By: Joshua Kloke – joshuakloke@hotmail.com
[Rating: 3.5/5]
