Born to Expire
 | This article needs additional citations for verification. (October 2009) |
| Born to Expire | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | January 21, 1989 | |||
| Recorded | November 1987 Normandy Sound, Warren, Rhode Island | |||
| Genre | Crossover thrash, hardcore punk | |||
| Length | 37:44 | |||
| Label | Profile Records/Rock Hotel Another Planet (reissue) | |||
| Producer | Chris Williamson | |||
| Leeway chronology | ||||
| ||||
| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic |    [1] |
| Kerrang! | [2] |
Born to Expire is the debut album by New York City band Leeway. It was recorded in November 1987. Delays postponed its release to January 1989 – jointly on Rock Hotel and Profile Records. It was followed up by Desperate Measures in 1991. In 1996, Another Planet re-issued the album on the same CD as Desperate Measures.
The song "Enforcer" is featured on the LCHC radio station in the 2008 video game Grand Theft Auto IV.
Overview[edit]
Lyrically and vocally, Leeway were firmly rooted in the hardcore punk genre as could also be seen by the company they chose to keep – Corrosion of Conformity, Bad Brains, Circle Jerks, Sick of It All and Prong to name but a few. Musically, however, it was most definitely metal and a compromise label of thrash/crossover was achieved but still left a few questions unanswered. In truth, many fans of both genres had their likes and dislikes – even between songs.
Guitarist and songwriter, A.J. Novello, had this to say on the dichotomy caused by this album:
(the album) came out and surprised everyone because it was totally metallic sounding... (it) re-wrote the book on New York hardcore. Leeway just about killed{the} "hardcore"sound because we used heavy guitar sounds and spent time on actual tones and textures instead of throwing things together haphazardly." [3]
Most of the songs are played at thrash metal pace but at hardcore punk-style track lengths. The band even had time to experiment with rap and funk on "Catholic High School".
Guitarist Michael Gibbons spoke about the album's signature guitar sound:
You really can't beat a Marshall JCM800 for a guitar amplifier. It's just that simple and truthful. We experimented with lots of tones, re-positioning the cabinets, mic placements, etc. Having Tom Soares as the album's engineer, him knowing his studio so well, was also a huge help. In terms of the guitars, I used a Gibson Les Paul Custom with a Seymour Duncan custom pickup, and A.J. used his Gibson SG.[4]
Track listing[edit]
All tracks are written by Eddie Sutton and A.J. Novello, except where noted
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Rise and Fall" (Sutton, Novello, Ackerman) | 3:54 |
| 2. | "Mark of the Squealer" | 3:40 |
| 3. | "Be Loud" | 2:18 |
| 4. | "On the Outside" | 3:25 |
| 5. | "Defy You" | 3:09 |
| 6. | "Enforcer" | 3:48 |
| 7. | "Tools for War" | 3:08 |
| 8. | "Born to Expire" | 4:07 |
| 9. | "Marathon" | 2:14 |
| 10. | "Self Defense" | 1:25 |
| 11. | "Catholic High School (Girls in Trouble)" | 2:01 |
| 12. | "Unexpected" | 4:35 |
Credits[edit]
- Eddie Sutton – vocals
- A.J. Novello – guitar
- Michael Gibbons – guitar
- Zowie – bass
- Tony Fontão – drums
- Recorded in November 1987 at Normandy Sound, Warren, Rhode Island
- Produced by Chris Williamson
- Engineered by Tom Soares
- Assistant engineered by Jamie Locke
- Cover art by Bevin Stone
- Mastered by Howie Weinberg at Masterdisk, New York City
- Reissue remastered by Alan Douches at West Westside Music
References[edit]
- ^ Anderson, Alex. "Leeway Born to Expire review". AllMusic. Retrieved October 18, 2011.
- ^ Esposito, Ed (January 21, 1989). "Leeway 'Born to Expire'". Kerrang!. Vol. 222. London, UK: Spotlight Publications ltd. p. 21.
- ^ Eric Wielander's liner notes from the 1996 Another Planet re-issue of Born to Expire/Desperate Measures
- ^ 2014 interview with Michael Gibbons on NoEcho.net.
