Reviewed by Josh Dipple

It was certainly a bold move for Idaho punk band False Idle to begin their career in 2010 with an EP of old hymns, and you certainly won't hear these classics like this anywhere else. Each of the six songs on 'Hymns Of Punk Rock Praise' shows False Idle in all of its thunderous, turned-up-to-11 glory, and it certainly makes for interesting listening. In fact, the experience can be made all the more entertaining by imagining the reactions of Bennard and Spafford upon hearing these re-imagined versions of "Old Rugged Cross" and "It Is Well With My Soul". The musicianship displayed here can't be faulted for technical aptitude, with each hymn being played with such gusto (not to mention speed) that it's hard not to envisage a scene where sweat is dripping off the drum kit at the end of each song, and this exhaustion rubs off onto the listener. The only problem, then, is that maybe this EP could have done with a little more dynamic variety. But this was still a decent start from a band who have subsequently gone on to greater things.

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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