Review Summary: Trash Talk introduce massive ideas, but do little to build them into anything special.
Trash Talk are a four piece hardcore/punk band out of Sacramento, California. In 2012, they became the first and only non-rap artist signed to Odd Future Records. Odd Future are a label known for having edgy, dark, and newer artists that are changing the new landscape of modern music, mostly hip-hop and rap. It makes sense for Trash Talk signing with the label, being as brash and loud as the rest of the respective artists there. One could argue they are a perfect companion, especially with the inconsistent output.
No Peace is a seemingly traditional hardcore album, but there are a few minor differences. The sounds are heavy as anyone could expect, giving few breaks to a listener from Trash Talk's loud and noisy attack. There are numerous tracks that sound similar to older bands like Death or Suicidal Tendencies. The main differences come in through song length and format. The length of this album is both it's blessing and curse. It feels nice to be hit with 16 tracks that have just enough diversity, however it only has 31 recorded minutes and the majority of the tracks are under three minutes in length. A few songs even fail to touch the 90 second mark, which just feels like a waste of time. Formatting wants to play with the idea of throwing some rap/rock fusion with two short beat tracks and the final song featuring verses from King Krule and Wiki. An interesting concept but the result is a bit mixed on the rap-laden attempt. I would love to see Trash Talk do an album with Odd Future's talent instead of going about it half-heartedly, like this time around.
The track list may be a bit bloated but there are some solid tracks throughout. Jigsaw is one of the few meatier songs on the album, and features everything needed for a good hardcore track. It features the best gritty vocal delivery, fast guitars, and outstanding drums. Cloud Kicker is the most interesting track on the album, boasting a longer running time, great vocals, and awesome pounding drums. Locked In Skin leaves a strong classic impression, feeling like a blatant excuse to show off the roots of hardcore. It also features a drum outro that is a pleasure to the ears. The fifteenth track saves the best for last though. Still Waiting for the Sun is one of the few full-fledged songs in my opinion and features the best writing on the whole album. Instrumentation is beautiful, layering drums, bass, and guitar slowly to build the experience.
As far as sound quality goes, No Peace has a crisp and fresh feel. The guitar work is loud, noisy, and interesting for most of the album. A few of the shorter tracks feature some repetitive guitar lines, but those tracks are too short to wear out their welcome. Vocals are harsh, brutal, and at times beautifully in-synch. The real attraction to the album is the astounding bass and drum work though. Both instruments work together perfectly throughout, making even the worst moments manageable. The drum outros are my favorite moments on the album, showing off the masterful work on it's own right.
Overall, No Peace is a pedestrian effort from Trash Talk. Their sound is as edgy and interesting as their genre should dictate, but the lack of conviction and concept kills the album as a whole. It never fuses the rap/rock hints that are left to be little more than a teaser and most of the songs feel more like an iTunes preview than a full-fledged artistic expression.
