Album Review: Code Orange Kids- Love is Love//Return to Dust

Album Rating: B

Many months ago, I had the opportunity to see Defeater with Touche Amore.  Known as the biggest acts in the scene right now, they didn't disappoint with putting on a nice show.  Two fine bands, really.  Yet it wasn't the aforementioned hardcore heavy-hitters that drew me in.  Sure, the promise of a great performance wrangled me in, but it was the supporting band, Code Orange Kids that truly sealed the deal.

Code Orange Kids have been making little waves in the hardcore scene for a few years now, dropping quality releases like Embrace Me//Erase Me.  What gave me such a strong desire to see them live was their unrivaled intensity.  Of course there are bigger names out there, but few can pull off such a powerful sound without coming off as contrived.  Code Orange Kids do it with ease, especially on their debut, Love is Love//Return to Dust.

Despite the rather beautiful name, Love is Love//Return to Dust is anything but; it's a short, ballistic explosion of pure aggression and refined passion.  While this can be said about many of their peers, it must be said that Code Orange Kids possess a certain panache that many do not.  It's all in the atmosphere and production.  The album is dark, and not in a menacing way, but rather, in a gloomy, ominous way.  There's a certain sludgy sound that permeates the entire record, giving it that murky, doom-and-gloom feel.  This is what sets the album apart from the glut of other recordings of its type.

Love is Love//Return to Dust is heavy, that much is sure, but songs like "Colors (Into Nothing)" keep it from being a dumb and pissed-off romp.  There is a restraint present that surprises, especially considering the fledgling band's age.  These calmer moments are few and far between, because Code Orange Kids really love to kick it into over drive most of the time.  Thankfully, they excel at it, because most of the record kicks all kinds of ass.

I've had my eye on Code Orange Kids for a little while now, and their debut does not disappoint.  While it doesn't out do some of 2012's best hardcore, it certainly deserves tons of attention.

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1.  Flowermouth (The Leech)

2.  Around My Neck // On My Head

3.  Sleep (I've Been Slipping)

4.  Liars // Trudge

5.  Colors (Into Nothing)

6.  Nothing (The Rat)

7.  Roots Are Certain (Sky Is Empty)

8.  Choices (Love Is Love)

9.  Calm // Breathe

10. Bloom (Return To Dust)