Band : Burn The 8 Track

Album title : Division

Label : Grapes Of Wrath

Distributor : CoreTex Records – Sonic Rendezvous

Release date : April 2008

Release : CD

First of all, we're sorry to put this review online just now, but we only got the promo of the album last week, so if some of the info later on seems a little out-dated, it's not our fault! One thing that's never out-dated though, is a band's history, so... From Winnipeg, Manitoba (Canada), this Punk Rock band was formed in 2001 after the demise of songer Derek Sun's former band Guy Smiley, with a line-up including his brother Jason on the guitar, bassist Mike Goreski, and drummer Sam Osland.

For the release of their debut full-length, major Metal label Century Media signed 'em to their subsidiary Abacus, specialized in the release more Punk-ish and Crossover stuff. But because the album was in fact distributed by CM, many reviewers confused BT8T for a Metal act. CM was in fact one of 16 labels the band did a Los Angeles showcase for in 2004, after having generated interest with the recordings of their Division EP, and the band picked thém because the label people were actually ecstatic at the show (in stead of ohers who wanted to tàlk about what was on offer). To tide fans over in the period when the band was still negociating the deal for their debut album (the material had already been written) which was to be released in late 2004, the band decided to issue their 6-track EP Division. Not surprisingly, once the debut full-length was released the band consequently toured all over the US, their home country Canada, and even Western Europe.

In spite of the initial enthusiasm, CM severed ties with the band. Eventually the band got signed to major label Universal's sublabel Curve for a May 2007 release of their sophomore album Fear Of Falling Skies (just like Division and the debut, the album was produced/ mixed by Justin Koop of Grade fame). Since then, Goreski has been replaced by the drummer's brother Ethan, because the band was coming over to Europe again in April 2008 (playing support to Ignite, Terror, Strung Out, and Death Before Dishonor) the band decided to re-issue their Division EP in an enhanced version, as previously the EP was only available in North America. To make somewhat of a difference, the guys have added 4 tracks (known previously as the Battle Of The Network Stars EP single, even if I could not find a release date or area for it) to the original track-list, making the "album" last a total of just under 30 minutes!

Ooh...haven't really said anything yet about the band's somewhat peculiar brand of Punk Rock, have I? Well, as a reviewer of the debut album once said, "...it's too hard to be described as Emo, and too melodic and soft to be called Hardcore...", and I suppose one should have to see the band's music as an emotionally laden Power Punk with riveting melody lines, the singer relying on his vocal abilities rather than on screaming each lyric (meaning there is indeed sóme screaming involved). If that don't make the picture, there's plenty of possibilities to get to hear some music by the band (check myspace.com/burnthe8track for one track off the debut album and three off the second, or zunior.com/product_info.php?products_id=1929 for samples of each track on the second album).

If you had only heard of the band by reputation until now, listening to some of their material will certainly bring you an understanding of why BT8T has been so warmly received all over the world. Personally, I haven't been able to spend enough time with the album to form a closer releationship with the material, but what I heard I liked from the get-go, so that's a good sign! Still, I don't think this recording would get into my year-lists...firstly, because it's a re-release, secondly because...while the music is enchanting enough, and while I dó indeed listen to a wide variety of genres, BT8T simply doesn't cut it that way with me!

92/100

Tony.