The Weight And The Cost

Earlier this year, Be Well released a two song 7 inch, and that record really sank its hooks into me. I loved those songs, and it had me amped for the release of their full length album. As soon as preorders were up, I was in there trying to decide which option I should grab out of the 12 different pressings.

I wasn't going to get bogged down worrying about shipping costs or any of that bullshit. I was excited for the record so no expense was spared, and I quickly added the End Hits exclusive pressing with the limited sleeve. Overseas shipping be damned. Now, I really like the regular cover for this album, but there was something extra cool about the screened cover...plus it all looks great with the clear red vinyl...and I had to have it.

This album is really good, and you can hear that there was a lot of passion put into these songs. A lot of internet nerds are calling it their "record of the year", but I'm not quite there with them...yet. It took some time for the 7 inch songs to really hit me, so who knows were this will end up as I give it more spins between now and the end of the year. While I do really like it, there are times when parts of it remind me of the early Get Up Kids...and I just want to hear something more like Battery. I'm sure it will continue to climb in my Best Of list for the year, but we'll see how it shakes out with repeat listens.

Limited to 100...just like the most of the twenty fucking three other pressings.

Be Well

I'm not sure if Be Well are a real band, or just some friends hanging out and recording a couple of songs, but with Brian McTernen from Battery on vocals, and Aaron Dalbec from Bane on bass, I was interested to hear what they had going on. There was bit of hype on Be Well before their 7 inch was released, plus I was listening to a lot of newer hardcore records, so I had high hopes on this thing.

To add fuel to the flames of my interest with Be Well, REV announced that there was going to be a pressing of the 7 inch on yellow that was limited to 100 and only available from them. Shit. I wasn't going to be able to sit back and catch up with this band six months down the road...no, if I was going to pick up the record, this yellow vinyl was the way to go, and I couldn't afford to wait as I expected it to sell out quick.

The two songs on this record are good...actually they are much better than what I would expect from older hardcore dudes...there is a lot of emotion that comes through in these songs, which makes me want to keep going back to them.