CIV “Solid Bond: The Complete Discography”
I find myself very torn about this discography being compiled and released. First off, CIV’s Set Your Goals has been among my favorite records since it’s release in 1995 (and I often can be heard debating that the album’s hardcore songs are some of the best ever written), but the follow-up Thirteen Day Getaway disappointed me (and most everyone I think) beyond what words could express. So, to have such a great release teamed with such a mediocre one leaves me with some mixed feelings.
I must admit, in re-listening to the Thirteen Day Getaway era stuff included here, my past assessment may have been a little harsh. I guess in comparison to their earlier album the standard was just set a little high, but a good number of the songs from the second half of the album are solid tunes, especially when the band abandons their new-found obsession with poppy rock and stick to their hardcore roots. That said, these songs still don’t hold a candle next to Set Your Goals.
If nothing else, Solid Bond: The Complete Discography brings the long out-of-print first album back into print, making it available for all those who either missed out back in the ’90s or were too young to have remembered the major label marketing blitz (including the video for “Can’t Wait One Minute More” on MTV). Also, I’m probably most excited about the inclusion of previously vinyl-only tracks as I can now have digital versions of these songs… some of their best. Additionally, there are a handful of live and demo tracks, although nothing to get too excited about.
Even if you only like half of the songs on Solid Bond” The Complete Discography, those will be among some of the best from the era you ever hear, making this well worth picking up. Now let’s hope CIV plays a few more reunion shows!
- Editor’s note: Set Yours Goals has aged remarkably well for a 14 year old hardcore record. The sequencing of the 16 songs is nearly perfect, and Civ’s vocals standout like few others in the genre. It’s a very cool thing that Equal Vision was able to retain the rights to the recording and to make sure that these songs would not be left to obscurity down the road – Jordan.
