Fat Wreck Chords is reissuing early albums by their most popular bands, a potent reminder of where they’ve been and how far they’ve come. Incognito was No Use for a Name’s debut full-length, a solid slab of hulking hardcore with mighty fists full of metal. At this point, the group was a trio comprised of Tony Sly, Rory Koff, and bassist Steve Papoutsis. Melodies were at a premium, the rhythms were pusillanimous, the attitude angry, and the atmosphere threatening. On the almost Neurosis-like “It Won’t Happen Again,” they’re absolutely menacing, a far cry from their more contemporary sound. However, there are hints of their future direction. “Truth Hits Everybody,” for example, is fast and furious, with a contagious melody and an anthemic, harmony-rinsed chorus. Producers Brett Gurewitz and Donnell Cameron give the whole album a shine, smoothing down the more jagged edges and gracing the album with a more coherent feel than the group really had in those early days. No Use for a Name had a way to go, and at this point they were more in the thrall of metal than punk. That would change. – Jo-Ann Greene
more »