Reviewed by Rod Lobaugh

With enough explosive power to fuel a third world war. Every Day Life return with their second album. Unleashing their brand of rapcore. a fierce genre of hardcore power mixed with rap stylings. Every Day Life bring a relevant and challenging message. A message of accountability that will prod and push listeners to think and take action. Tedd Cookerly reaches an extreme intensity that puts him in league with such severe vocalists as Henry Rollins. "American Standard' is not only full force slam romps. "Birthright (LBC)" features a scratch machine and an almost pop feel. "Residence" brings a laid back. R&B feeling. Three is also a bizarre song paying homage to monster truck rallies hidden between tracks live and six. Many of the songs on "American Standard" tend to mesh into one another, creating the "one long song" effect. As the album progresses, the best way to tell each separate track apart is the tempo and length of screams. The lyrics fit together well with the in-your-face musical eruption. Except for the monster truck rally song, there is nothing superficial or simple on this album. On the contrary, every song is charged with fury at the wrongs of the world. Cookerly vents his frustrations, while bringing to light the hard realities of the world around us. He also does his best to give listeners a good kick in the tail, urging them to action. Many of the songs deal with current hot topics. The song "Ten Little Indians" deals with the treatment of native Americans, while others touch on date rape, the music industry and many other points of frustration and anger. It is an extreme, severe battering ram of an album, but mostly it is relevant, musically and lyrically.

Also reviewed in issue 50:
Every Day Life have always been an edgy combination of rock and rap but on 'American Standard' they have excelled previous recordings. Creating some of the heaviest, crunchiest riffs in a death metal vein, screaming vocals collide with the hippest rapping and the distinctive results make EDL one of the most creative outfits in Christian rock. Still largely unloved over here, this deserves to change because 'American Standard' is as in your face as rock fans could possibly desire and these guys take no prisoners. "Pushing" is a ferocious exhortation to stand up and fight back when the world pushes us around and the title cut is a no compromise critique of the American way. Musically I love the clash of hip hop and rock which is achieved in the sheer vibe of "Birthright" where it feels as though the band have hit a unique vibe. Produced by Michael Knott, there is so much here that takes you by the throat and pins you to the wall. Knott needs to be given a round of applause for helping EDL find a groovy heaviosity that is totally compelling.
9 squares
Mike Rimmer

The opinions expressed in this article are not necessarily those held by Cross Rhythms. Any expressed views were accurate at the time of publishing but may or may not reflect the views of the individuals concerned at a later date.

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