The Exit: New Beat

The Exit: New Beat
Label: Some
Release Date: 2002
Review Date: 2003

I had high hopes for this record. It has interesting packaging and a good band name and title. Plus the guys on the cover look snotty and vaguely reminiscent of The Living End. My first reaction when it became time to write the review for this record was to recycle my pan of Gameface’s Four to Go! But when I popped in this CD again I was immediately struck by how much better these guys were at making the new emo than Gameface. The Exit have more creative talent, but they still squander it on overproduced, middle of the road… zzzzz. Oh sorry, I fell asleep. Produced by Daniel Rey, hey he’s knee deep in Ramones projects like Mondo Bizarro (that was good) and the Misfits American Psycho and Famous Monsters, and those were good enough. The times where this record start to get interesting are where it starts to stray from standard production, although only briefly. Come on guys, loosen up. Take a chance. The band has punk roots, but then who doesn’t these days. Most of these bands would do better to get back to their roots. This record will appeal to teenage girls coming of age in suburban America and music supervisors working on the next Freddie Prinze JR. movie. I am positive these guys could make an album worth owning, but this isn’t it. The opening track “Worthless” has potential to become an annoying large hit with the kids if they play their video cards right.

Online Action: some.com