Hostage Life – Walking Papers

Two years ago, Hostage Life jumped into the scene with a heavy hitting EP as part of the Underground Operations EP series. Sing For The Enemy was well received by the people that heard it, but it didn’t garner then huge success. Not to worry though, because now Hostage Life are set to take over the underground with their debut full length Walking Papers– which follows in the same path that Sing For The Enemy laid out for them back in 2004.

The fourteen track album fits right into Underground Operations‘ little niche with political, angst-filled songs that will easily get any pit moving and any concert goer’s fist pumping. It’s solid street punk with dual guitar attacks and steady, rhythmic drum beat throughout with Colin Lichti’s vocals topping it all off – which really is the highlight of the album. They are strong and agitated as his spits out his sarcastic and intelligent lyrics out at the listener lightning fast that is still somehow audible. He never breaks into pointless screams, a style that has become so prominent as of late, but instead pushes the emotion forward through his speed and with the help of the perfectly timed backup vocals.

Still, Walking Papers not just a pointless “let’s mosh and act crazy” album (although, it is a damn fun album to dance to, and an easy one to mosh too), it is also a very intelligent, thought provoking, and sometimes sarcastic album. Addressing topics from censorship, the religious dilemma of suffering through the pain or taking your own life, to unwanted pregnancies and the dilemmas those bring forth. Carbon Heart Radio takes a look at the fakeness inherent in the scene while Hell Awaits Hostage Life condemns anyone who pushes their beliefs on others. They are songs that not only make you sing and dance, but stop and think too.

Walking Papers is a great release from a young, angry band that is playing for all the right reasons.They won’t hit the mainstream, but the underground will eat it up because it’s clear that they love the music and you can tell; as they state in the 56 second opener “I ain’t looking for respect or rewards, please talk shit on your message boards, I don’t give a fuck if you dance to this“.