Caught In A Trap – Rats Get Fat – No Joke Records 001 – 2007

General statement: More often then naught, I hate when bands send press kits with their releases. Usually what happens is that the press kit makes the band out to be the next best thing since Led Zeppelin when in reality, the band is closer to Dread Zeppelin. I then spend most of my time ripping apart the PR rich kits instead of taking the time to sit back and enjoy the music. I can’t help it. The press kit is the first thing I get to see or read. And they are almost always awful. Shamefully, I think that is how this review is going to go.

First, the music. Pretty decent New York Hardcore. Any fan of Sick Of It All could enjoy this album. Actually, I see it as a natural sequel to Just Look Around with a lit H2O GO! vibe tossed in. If I didn’t know any better, I would have just assumed it was a SOIA release. It’s that familiar.

But here is where the press kit kills me. Fuck, I hate press kits.

[NYHC attitude] appeared to be on its death bed when eyeliner and bleeding hearts replaced black eyes and raised fists as the hardcore scene began to witness the slow death of NYHC as we once knew it.

Ok, what shows has the PR dude been attending? Or better yet, NOT attending? Lofts in Brooklyn have hardcore shows all the time. I’m sure a show or two will have eyeliner attendees, but I know Iron Age, Cold World, Justice, … plenty of QUALITY hardcore bands have been through there.

In May 2007, New York hardcore will once again rise from its ashes and Queens, NY’s Caught In A Trap is responsible for its resurrection.

Is this serious? Are you serious? Madball still plays shows. Sick Of It All still plays shows. H2O still plays shows. Hell, Agnostic Front, Merauder and Subzero are even playing shows again. How is that a death bed? How is that ashes? Not to knock Caught In A Trap, but how is playing Sick Of It All inspired tracks cause for a resurrection? Even if it produced by Don Fury. Fuck, I hate PR kits.

PR kit aside, this release is definitely for fans of HARD NYHC. If you like Sick Of It All, I can guarantee you will like this album. Word.