Album Review: Trash Talk - 'No Peace'

Trash Talk is a name on everyone’s lips. Since forming in 2005, the hardcore punk powerhouse have established themselves on their own label, Trash Talk Collective as one of the best in the business of hardcore. The endless hardwork and inspiring worth ethic from the boys from Cali means the success is all well-deserved. They represent what all bands should be (but most, sadly, aren't) - brutally honest and laced with musical conviction.

Following the previous releases on exclusive hip-hop label, Odd Future Records, the group's most recent offering, 'No Peace' embraces the same former influences. Despite the unexpected fusion of their material with a label unversed in hardcore, Trash Talk have, on 'No Peace', delivered few surprises. The record is the usual collection of polished and merciless tracks delivered via an onslaught of aggression and fury, and while it’ll please die hard fans of Trash Talk’s hardcore punk routine, it’s unlikely to draw outsiders in. 

The impact of hip-hop producer The Alchemist is most evident on the bookends - first track, 'Amnesiatic', and on the last, 'Reprieve'. It’s unfortunate that Trash Talk neglected to incorporate his influences elsewhere, because the first and last moments of this record are the most exciting and indeed, the most memorable. They maintain the dark, guttural throttle of Trash Talk’s regular style, and at the same time, entertaining a distinctive and interesting hip-hop grind to the baseline.

Typical to the customs of Trash Talk, the songs between these dispersed tracks are each, with the exception of three, no longer than two minutes in length. It’s this fractured and frenetic landslide of short, sharp growls in tracks like ‘Prometheus’ and ‘S.O.S’ and the grating, destructive guitar riffs beneath the vocals, that makes killer standouts ‘Jigsaw’ and ‘Leech’ as delightfully vicious as they are.

Unfortunately for Trash Talk, there isn’t much to speak of in the way of progression once 'No Peace' comes around to ‘The Great Escape.’ ‘Body Stuffer' and ‘Cloud Kicker’ offer punishing hooks that are frenzied and tough as pig skin and later, ‘Locked In Skin’ and ‘Just A Taste’ follow a similar hardcore-eat-your-heart-out vein. Keeping a familiar, hard and fast pace and a sulking mood that differs little from the rest of the record, ‘Just A Taste’ is, simply more of Trash Talk’s brand name hardcore punk, put to the test on a label that could have inspired something more.

Let's make the point, Trash Talk are worthy of sustained respect. They have been, and still are, at the top of the genre pack. The issue is not to do with 'No Peace' being indifferent. There's still trademark quality within. It's more to do with expectation. When the band can produce the acclaimed music they are renowned for, the pass marks are always going to be stricter.

If there were any expectations for Trash Talk to break down walls and fuse rap and hardcore genres during their partnership with Odd Future they have been slightly dented (but not broken) with the release of 'No Peace'. It’s not that the band’s fourth LP release isn’t of the highest quality in hardcore-punk terms, but that there’s nothing moving the sound forward sonically and creatively. 

1. Amnesiatic (prod. by Alchemist)
2. Jigsaw
3. The Hole
4. Leech
5. Cloudkicker
6. Body Stuffer
7. Nine Lives
8. Monochrome / F.F.S.
9. The Great Escape
10. Locked in Skin
11. S.O.S.
12. Prometheus
13. Just a Taste
14. Reprieve" (prod. by Alchemist)
15. Still Waiting For The Sun" [bonus track]
16. Stackin Skins (featt. Wiki and King Krule) [bonus track]